First thought: I'm not sure if I've ever watched a game where both teams were completely uninterested in winning. This thought is based on things like Chris Stewart stopping between third and home while the third baseman looked at second base before falling down, and Jeremy Affeldt walking Angel Sanchez to put the winning run in scoring position.
Second thought: That's unfair to the Giants who were obviously interested in winning. But the universe wasn't so keen on the idea. That thought is based on the magical returning pickoff throw that wiped out Aaron Rowand's first hit in three months.
Third thought: The Astros might not be a good team, but they're sure interesting. Jose Altuve is fun to watch, though I'd pay $100 to watch a fight between him and Mike Fontenot. Not because I don't like both of them, but just because it makes sense.
Fourth thought: the Giants are only 1.5 games out of first place. That's embarrassing. It's beautiful. It makes me want to hop around and bang a mallet on my head like a Looney Tunes character. In just about every other division, the second place team had a bit of a hiccup and quickly found themselves six games back. It happened to the Cardinals, the Angels, the Rays, and the Braves. Not the Giants, though. Nope. They started this road trip a half-game out, played some of their worst baseball of the year, and are heading home just a game-and-a-half out. Eighteen of their next 21 games are at home. They really aren't in such bad shape.
Well, except for the bad players. But that's a technicality. It also lead to ...
Fifth thought: Brandon Belt and Pablo Sandoval are good hitters.
If the Giants would have lost today, it would have been two steps back but one step forward, as Brandon Belt playing every day should help the Giants, and the only way he'll even come close to playing every day is by hitting. With the Giants winning and Belt having a tremendous day, it feels like the team swept a doubleheader.
Sixth thought: Pretty sure Dan Runzler has a 5% of being a Cy Young contender, a 15% of being Jonathan Sanchez, and an 80% chance of walking 80% of the batters he faces as a starting pitcher. It's pretty certain that he'll be a disaster as a starting pitcher, but if he ever harnesses that command ... man, he could be good.
Seventh thought: Let's not find out this year. Eric Surkamp struck out a hitter the first inning of his game today. If Jonathan Sanchez has to miss another game, I'm pretty sure the Giants learned their lesson.
Can't believe the Giants won today. Can't believe they're still ahead of the Rockies, much less within spitting distance of the Diamondbacks.
Tuesday, August 23 SFG SDP Wednesday, August 24 SFG SDP Thursday, August 25 SFG HOU Friday, August 26 SFG HOU Saturday, August 27 SFG HOU Sunday, August 28 SFG HOU Monday, August 29 SFG CHC Tuesday, August 30 SFG CHC Wednesday, August 31 SFG CHC Friday, September 02 SFG ARI Saturday, September 03 SFG ARI Sunday, September 04 SFG ARI Monday, September 05 SFG @ SDP Tuesday, September 06 SFG @ SDP Wednesday, September 07 SFG @ SDP Friday, September 09 SFG LAD Saturday, September 10 SFG LAD Sunday, September 11 SFG LAD Monday, September 12 SFG SDP Tuesday, September 13 SFG SDP Wednesday, September 14 SFG SDP
That's what's called an If You Don't Win, You Don't Deserve It schedule. Can't beat the sub-.500 teams at home? Can't beat the first place team at home? Well, there are probably some good movies coming out in October. It should be interesting, which isn't the same thing as "pleasurable" or "horrific." Nope. But interesting is a guarantee.