It's Almost Opening Day

OMG!  Opening day is right around the corner.  There are still some managerial decisions to be made.  As Andrew Baggarly explains, it may come down to whom has minor league options.

What do you do?  Adrianza or Duffy?  Sanchez or Susac?  Machi or Kontos?  What about the line up?  And, if you think that the starters will be those that have seemingly been slated all along, Madison, Matt, Tim, Tim and Jake, will that still be the starting rotation in July?

R.I.P. Al Rosen

Mr. Al Rosen, former Giants GM and President, has died at age 91.  Without him, there would be no Croix de Candlesticks.

Six Up, Six Down

It's only Spring Training, I know, but Matt Cain hasn't thrown a pitch in a ballgame since July of last year. Today he faced the first six guys (Rollins, Crawford, Puig, Gonzalez, Kendrick, Grandal) in the LA lineup and retired them in order, three grounders and three fly balls. I think that might be the best start so far by a Giants pitcher.

I am really happy that Matt Cain is back on the mound.

GO GIANTS!

--M.C.

First Casualty

The only thing I ever really hope for in Spring Training is that no one gets hurt. Win, lose, whatever, just stay healthy. Alas, the Giants steadiest player, Hunter Pence, a model of consistency and durability throughout his career, suffered a broken arm yesterday after being hit by a pitch. The only positive is that it happened this soon--much of Pence's recovery time will be before the season opens. I suppose a second positive is that it will give another outfielder a chance at a roster spot. Roster spots for the 2015 club are few and far between and now one will open that no one expected. Maybe Justin Maxwell will get a better chance to show what he's got. Perhaps Juan Perez will find that consistent big-league stroke.

Get well soon, Hunter.

GO GIANTS!

--M.C.