First inning round-up

We are 1/9 of the way through the season--the Giants just finished their 18th game, and 18 x 9 = 162. Thus, we've knocked off the first "inning" of what promises to be a long and difficult grind.

At a 10-8 pace the G-men would finish at 90-72. Can't complain about that, can we? That's the 4th best record in the NL. At +26, their "run difference" (RS-RA) is 2nd only to Philly. Their "expected" win-loss record is 12-6, so they are "under-performing" at this point.

The Giants are 11th in the NL in runs scored and 8th in the league in OPS. Hard to believe there are WORSE offenses, isn't it? The Giants have 53 walks, 14th in the league. Looks like firing Carney Lansford didn't help with that aspect of hitting. Their 15 HRs puts them at 10th, as does their 36 doubles. For all our supposed off-season interest in "the speed game," we are LAST in SB with 5, tied with Philadelphia. We do however, have the most sacrifice bunts, 14, but only 5 sacrifice flies, half as many as league-leading Philly and NY.

The pitching, of course, has been great, especially the starters. The four team shutouts leads the NL, and only St. Louis (2.72) has a better ERA than the Giants 2.78. SF is best at runs allowed (53), have the 5th-fewest walks (56), and the 5th-most strikeouts (139). The Giants are tied with the Cardinals for best WHIP (1.16) and 2nd to them in FIP (3.43). The Giants give up a lot of flyballs (38%, 3rd highest), but not many of those for HRs (7.5%, 5th best). If that is a function of the park, luck, pitching skill, or small sample size, I can't say. Their 13 HRs allowed is tied for 5th. Todd Wellemeyer has given up 5 of those, Cain 2, Affeldt 2, Medders, Runzler, Romo, and Lincecum 1 apiece. Barry Zito (21 in 2009) and Jonathan Sanchez (19 in 2009) have yet to give up the big bomb.

Very tough opponent tonight. GO GIANTS!

--M.C.