Know Thy Giants

[Guest Iubitul]

I'm apologizing in advance for the paucity of information here...

After losing four of their last six games, the Mets hope to give their fortunes a shot in the butt when they visit San Francisco for a three game series starting tonight. The Giants are returning home from a long 10-game road trip where they had a 5-5 record.

Matchups:
Tonight: Tom Glavine (2-1, 1.38 ERA) vs. Matt Cain (0-2, 6.75 ERA)
Tuesday: Steve Trachsel (1-1, 3.71 ERA) vs. Jamey Wright. (2-0, 2.91)
Wednesday: Brian Bannister (2-0, 2.35 ERA) vs. Jason Schmidt (0-2, 5.33 ERA)

It seems like all stories about the Giants begin and end with the Sultan of Syringe, Barry Bonds. Bonds finally hit his first HR of the season on Saturday, his 14th game of the year. Amazingly, Bonds has a .526 OBP despite hitting only .229.

Who is hot?
Omar Vizquel is leading the Giants with 13 runs scored, and a .390 batting average. The bats of Steve Finley (.368) and Mike Matheny (.318) are showing signs of waking up over the last week.

Who is not:
The Giants are last in the majors with a .231 batting average. Bonds, Pedro Feliz (.171), and Ray Durham (.162) have all contributed to the slow offensive start.

Injury Report:
2b Ray Durham left Sunday's game in the sixth inning with a hamstring problem.

ex-Mets:
Big-game pitcher Armando Benitez started the year on the DL with a knee injury, and was just activated before this weekend - He earned his first save on Saturday against the Rockies. Former Met farmhand Tyler Walker was designated for assignment.

Keep an eye on Jose Vizcaino in the first game - he has a career .321 average against Glavine in 28 Abs.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

]Keep an eye on Jose Vizcaino in the first game - he has a career .321 average against Glavine in 28 Abs.

Isn't he about 105 years old by now?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Walker actually did throw ten innings for the Mets back in 2002.

He was the Giants' closer for most of last season.

[MFS62]

Beware Steve Finley. The guy has been a pain in the ERA against the Mets no matter where he has played.

Later

[Gwreck]

Giants 1B Lance Niekro is the only active major leaguer with an uncle in the Hall of Fame. He's Joe's son.

[DocTee]

Gwreck wrote: Giants 1B Lance Niekro is the only active major leaguer with an uncle in the Hall of Fame. He's Joe's son.

He has also never been in my kitchen.

[Willets Point]

DocTee wrote: ="Gwreck"]Giants 1B Lance Niekro is the only active major leaguer with an uncle in the Hall of Fame. He's Joe's son. He has also never been in my kitchen.

Cheers reference?

[DocTee]

Willets Point wrote: ="DocTee"] ="Gwreck"]Giants 1B Lance Niekro is the only active major leaguer with an uncle in the Hall of Fame. He's Joe's son. He has also never been in my kitchen. Cheers reference?

yes-- Cliff on Jeopardy with his reply to a seemingly impossible question.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Pity Beltran's not going to start today. Also a pity that LoDuca will probably sit this one out.

v. Morris
Beltran: 21 AB, .286 AVG/.375 OBP/.571 SLG/.946 OPS, 1 HR
Castro: 1-2, 2B, BB
Chavez: 2-7
Cliff: 24 AB, .292/.346/.750/1.096 OPS, 3 HR
LoDuca: 7-8, 3 BB, 1.917 OPS
Matsui: 3-10, 2B
Reyes: 2-11
Wright: 3-8, 2B, BB

Meanwhile, Bannister has never allowed any Giant to reach base.