Sports Radio Service


		Michael Duca's A's and Giants Q&A By Michael Duca July 5, 2009

	Sportsradio: The Giants are red hot and so much so they won series' against two tough clubs the Cardinals and the Astros by 1927 New York Yankee numbers. Everyone is hitting and the pitching is something out of the 1960 Giants teams where guys are finishing ball games. How do you like what you see? To be completely accurate, they split their series with the Cardinals -- but, I like what I see a lot. Young players are developing, and the pitching is becoming dominant. The Giants as a team have 11 shutouts this season; the next closest team in the majors has seven. Pablo Sandoval is developing a power stroke. Travis Ishikawa is sgingin the bat more confidently, and with more authority. Nate Schierholtz is becoming a fixture in right field and is hitting better than .300. Aaron Rowand is hitting .300, with a whole new life as a leadoff hitter. Randy Winn and Juan Uribe are approaching .280. Who would have thought that the best two records in the NL would both be in the NL West at the mid-point of the season? Sportsradio: Talk a little about Pablo Sandoval who's becoming a favorite. He's hitting for distance and is crucial in the line up. Would you say at this point he's the lynch pin in the Giants line up? I think the team keys off Pablo. His enthusiasm, his energy level, and his obvious joy in playing the game, all rub off on his teammates. They respect his ability at the plate. They respect his ability in the field, and they respect the intensity he brings to the game, while still having fun all the time. And, as I stated above, the power stroke that we knew was there has asserted itself much quicker than I expected. Don't forget, one year ago today, Sandoval was playing his home games 45 miles south of AT&T, at Municipal Stadium in San Jose, at Class A. He's come a very long way in a year. Sportsradio: The A's are falling apart losing series to Detroit at home, Cleveland on the road and now onto Boston this week. The Sox series at Fenway could do them in if it hasn't already. No need to salvage anything since the A's have no other choice than to start their fire sale quick and mail in the season just in time for the break? No doubt, the A's are having a rough season. Injuries have taken a big toll, as then seem to have done for a while, now. Losing Justin Duchscherer and Josh Outman make a big difference to the rotation. Mark Ellis was lost for 60 games, and might well be part of that fie sale you mentioned now that he's healthy again. He would certainly stabilize the Giants' infield defensively, as a for instance...Matt Holliday and Orlando Cabrera probably should have new homes this month -- if they don't, then the A's will risk getting nothing back for them, as either might well accept arbitration if they were issued qualifying offers to ensure compensation. Holliday is eligible for free agency and might bring nothing at all if he's not traded soon. His body language has made it clear that he wants out of town; I'm sure Billy will be glad to accommodate him if he can get something of value in return.