If one was asked to sum up the reason for the Giant’s slow start this year in a phrase it would be lackluster, inconsistent hitting and pitching. Let’s face it, they are not hitting the ball the way they should, and the pitchers are walking way too many people. They showed some life on the last road trip, but the short, three game home stand with Atlanta was abysmal. Nothing seemed to go right. The hitters could not hit and the pitchers could not find their spots. This question looms large; was the phenomenal run to the World Series a fluke? I don’t think so. What is the possible problem?
Here is one possibility that has crossed my mind over the last few days. I think that the recent home stand demonstrates that they are trying too hard and thinking too much. Could it be that because of the tremendous fan turn out and support that the Giants are thinking too much about letting them down? They need to go back to being underappreciated and under rated. That seems to be the main drive that they have to achievement.
The only person that seems to be having fun right now is Pablo Sandoval. Oh, there are glimpses of their greatness; Buster Posey’s two run homer in yesterday’s game and how about Rowand’s clutch double in the bottom of the seventh inning?
It is just a matter of time until the hitting and the pitching come together… hope it is soon! Perhaps this ten game road trip back east will take some of the pressure off. I really do think it is the pressure. I know many say no, that they are a veteran team, and that pressure is not in the mix. I say hogwash. The truth is however that winning the World Series can bring a big amount of pressure to bear, especially on a group of guys who are not superstars per se and acclimated to the constant attention. The press that got Belt tied up in knots is affecting everyone to a degree. He is doing well back in triple A. Hopefully, the road trip back east will do the same for the rest of the Giants.
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