Trades Yet to Pay Dividends

Since the Giants made their blockbuster deal and added Carlos Beltran to their roster, they've won just one time. Granted, he's only played 5 games as a Giant, a 1-4 start after obtaining the sought after right fielder isn't the start Brian Sabean had in mind.

Beltran took a few games to get acclimated, but he looked a lot better at home in Monday night's loss to the surging Diamondbacks. Despite the teams 5-2 loss, Beltran put up his first multi-hit game as a Giant going 2-4 with a triple. Surprisingly, it hasn't really been the offense that's tanked here these last few games. Sure, they haven't been on fire, but the Giants pitching has hit a rough patch over this last week. We saw Madison Bumgarner and Barry Zito each get lit up in Cinci, then Matt Cain turned in his worst performance in months on Monday night to allow the D-Backs to move within 1 game of first place. Cain threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing 8 hits, 3 walks and 5 runs, certainly a night to forget for the 26 year-old horse. It started off well for the Giants, with Cody Ross possibly finding his new home at the leadoff spot. Ross homered in his first at-bat in the bottom of the first, and ended up going 2-4 on the night. With Andres Torres and Aaron Rowand both struggling, Ross, Schierholtz and Beltran are the team's top outfielders and if they can find a way to have them playing together like Boch did Monday, then I think it will benefit the offense. I also like slotting Ross in the leadoff spot ahead of Keppinger and Beltran where he's certain to get some fastballs.

So the Giants will hand the ball to their ace Tuesday night and ask him to give them some more breathing room atop the division. Tim Lincecum is coming off an impressive performance last week in Philadelphia when he shut down the Phillies lineup despite being struck with the flu. The Giants don't necessarily need him to keep the D-Backs off the board all night, but I think it's crucial that Timmy has a clean couple of innings to start the game so the team doesn't get down early. That's been a big problem for the team, and even with Beltran in tow, they still don't really have an offense built to overcome 3-4 run deficits. Some say the team has struggled these last few days because their chemistry has been disrupted, but I don't buy that one bit. There isn't one player on the Giants who would tell you they don't want Carlos Beltran in town and although a lot of the fans didn't care for the Cabrera trade, plenty of Giants have already voiced their endorsement of the cagey shortstop. There was certainly going to be an adjustment period for these new players but that's not going to last more than a week. I'd be surprised if we don't see things turn around tonight behind Timmy.