Giants dominating

It feels pretty good to be a San Francisco Giants fan at the moment, with the Giants playing their best baseball of the season post All-Star break. Everything is clicking right now with the hitting and pitching that included Ryan Vogelsong turning in another quality start and going at least six innings. Vogelsong has started 18 games and has gone at least six in every start while holding his opponents to three runs or less in 17 of those starts. In 13 of those starts he held his opponents to two runs of less. You get the idea, he’s been pretty good this season.

Offensively the Giants on are on fire, in the 10 games since the All-Star break they’ve averaged 5.4 runs, 10 hits, and a homer per game. To add to that, Buster Posey is crushing the ball in the 2nd half with 20 hits, 4 doubles, 17 RBIs, 3 homers, and a gaudy 1.381 OPS. I would definitely say that Posey is fully recovered and is well on his way of eclipsing his career totals from 2010 of 18 homers and 67 RBIs. Posey currently sits at 13 homers and 60 RBIs that projects out to 22 homers and 101 RBIs. Seems that he’s living up to his potential.

With last nights 7-1 thumping of the pathetic San Diego Padres the Giants moved to 12 games above .500, and look like the team to beat in the NL West despite the Los Angeles Dodgers gaining momentum. The best thing for the Giants would be the Dodgers getting Matt Garza from the Cubs, he’s been terrible this year and not really sure why anyone would want him at this point. Anytime an organization like the Tampa Bay Rays is willing to trade a young pitcher you have to question why? I think we know why after watching Garza on the Cubs, he lacks mental toughness a common trait among Cubs’ players via the Jim Hendry days. Let’s hope this deal happens.

As for the Giants, a legitimate table setter in the outfield would be a nice move. Not sure who’s really out there for the taking, since most of the prototypical leadoff hitters this season are infielders, but one name sticks out to me, Denard Span. Span should be on the move as the Minnesota Twins look to shed payroll during another dismal season. Span is batting .280 with a .344 OBP and can handle the bat. He can bunt for hit and also drive the ball despite only having three homers this season. He’s under contract through 2014 with a team option for 2015, but the problem for Minnesota is next season he’s owed $6.5 million that is money they would like off the books. This move makes since for the Giants as he would be another role player that plays a solid outfield and gives them a true leadoff man.

For now, I’ll enjoy the tear the Giants are on to start the second half, and hopefully they will continue throughout the second half to put the division to bed.