| Daniel Leroux. 23rd August, 2011 - 2:06 pm
 The Week That Was:
The Giants are coming off two series losses that were disappointing in different ways. The Braves series was filled with debilitating close losses, with the blown save by Brian Wilson on Monday and the 1-0 loss off a beautiful Timmy start being the two biggest ones in my mind. Those two losses sandwiched a fascinating 7-5 win where the team actually scored runs (Matt Cain hit a sac fly! Eleven hits!) and another rough loss, this time after being completely shut down for eleven innings.
After a rough series loss, a trip to Houston looked to be exactly what the Giants needed. Well, until the start of the game on Friday, at least. Friday and Saturday may stand as the two most depressing losses of this Giants season considering how bad the team looked against the worst team in the majors by a pretty decent margin. They ended up pulling out the getaway game after each team blew seemingly endless opportunities in the later innings of a game where neither team scored between the 4th and 11th innings. If Pablo had not hit that home run, I am not sure that one would be over yet.
The Soapbox: Lightning in a Bottle
As the week wore on and the frustration and desperation seemed to mount in the fanbase after each game, I ended up having a change of perspective on the 2011 Giants. Instead of being infuriated by the off-season and in-season transactions and decisions on the day-to-day lineups, it became clear that the best way to handle what has come is to see the whole thing as catching lightning in a bottle. No, not the squad from this year (as long as injuries count as something separate). Rather, the 2011 San Francisco Giants have made me appreciate how fortunate the 2010 team was.
From getting outlier-strong years from Andres Torres and Aubrey Huff to the Rookie of the Year performance from Buster Posey to the shocking contributions from Cody Ross and Edgar Renteria, the position players in 2010 outperformed expectations in nearly every way. Add in the remarkable pitching from both the starters and the bullpen, the 2010 team had just about every non-Pablo Sandoval component doing better than expected. The sheer difference player to player from last year to this year show how variable the game can be, particularly when dealing with inconsistent players.
So at least for one week, I am going to take the time and appreciate the remarkable 2010 season instead of agonizing over all the insanity and frustration wrought by what has happened since.
The Week Ahead: Stomping the stomped
Even if both of their opponents from last week have looked good recently (partially at the own hand of the Giants), these are two series San Francisco simply must win for both the short and long term. A two-gamer against the hottest team in the NL West (a statement as strong as the best QB on the 49ers or best defender on the Warriors) where both Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum will take the hill is followed by a four game series against the suddenly resurgent Houston Astros.
Marquee Game of the Week: Even if their won/loss records are not sparkling right now, Matt Cain vs. Mat Latos has the juice to be a fun one, especially considering the relationship between Latos and Giants fans. Local product Bud Norris pitching in San Francisco against Cain should be another one to keep an eye on.
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