McCovey Cove

05/16/2012

Cardinals 4 Giants 1

Dear 'birds,

Game time temperature in the ballpark by the bay was in the 50s, but Mr. Freese's bat shook it's thaw and delivered three hits, including the game winning RBI.

Interesting David Freese home/road issue:

At home (15 games): .196 average/ .646 OPS/ 2 homers/ 10 RBI. And on the road (20 games): .346 average/ 1.021 OPS/ 6 homers/ 18 RBI.

The pitching last night was spectacular.  It was fun watching the young lefty starters (Jaime Garcia and San Francisco's  Madison Baumgartner) showcase their skills.  I am glad the Cardinal batters were able to break through, because it was definitely a clinic in pitching last night.

I know that the Giants have outstanding pitching, but has anyone ever wonder if their pitching is so good because the ballpark is so cold?  Maybe that's why their offense is so bad.  Perhaps it wouldn't be as bad if they didn't play in frigid temperatures half the time.

I guess I should look up some home/road splits for the Gigantes:

This season, Giants hitters, at home (18 games): .256 average/6 homers/52 runs scored. And on the road(19 games): .260/19 homers /82 runs scored .  No major difference in average, but a considerable difference in power, though.

This season, Giants pitchers, at home (18 games): 2.37 ERA/8 homers/51 runs against, 44 earned runs. And on the road (19 games): 4.32/15 homers/91 runs against, 78 earned runs. So, much worse on the road than at home. Oh, the benefits of playing 81 games in a pitcher's ballpark! Although, looking at other years, Giants pitchers were pretty much spectacular regardless of the setting.

'Til Later!