Giants Offense Showing Up Too Late

I just got back in town last night in the midst of a Giants' 6-game win streak that has kept a candle, albeit a small one, lit for their playoff hopes, and their 2011 team MVP is really the one behind it.

Pablo Sandoval's season hit a pinnacle Thursday night as the Giants 3rd basemen hit for the cycle, going 4-4 with 2 RBI in his dominant performance, hitting his 20th homer of the season and raising his average back up to .308. Panda had 4 hits and 4 RBI in the sweep over San Diego and went 3-4 with a couple of RBI in the win that started this mini win streak. In fact, it hasn't been just Sandoval though, the entire Giants offense has seemingly picked it up here in mid September, but they're a little late to the dance. Sure, they're still technically in it, and I'm not at all holding out hope, but with just 12 games to play, the Giants are still 7 out in the West and 6 out in the Wild Card, so their chances are very slim. That hasn't kept the offense from exploding the last few games though, as they scored 8 or more runs 3 times in these last 6 wins. Cody Ross has really broken out in a big way himself, as has Carlos Beltran, who's finally found his groove in the Orange and Black. Beltran had 3 homers in the last 4 games and has raised his average up from the mid .270's to .297. Ross' average is still shockingly low for the way he's played lately, as he's still at just .237, but he's been a big part of these last 6 games, finally giving the Giants a steady leadoff hitter for the first time all season, albeit of the unconventional type.

Through all the offense, the team's strength, it's starting pitching, has not went away by any stretch. Ryan Vogelsong was the latest benefactor of the newly improved offense, as he kind of struggled through 5.1 innings vs. the Rockies, but the Giants put up an 8 spot to back him, including 5 in the first 2 innings, which really relieved some pressure from the right-hander. Timmy didn't quite get the run support Vogey did in the game prior, but got the 2 solo jobs from Beltran and made them stand up with a solid, 7 inning/1 run/4 hit/6 strikeout performance vs. the Mat Latos and the Padres. What's really surprised me though, is the bullpen, which has stayed very strong in absence of their hoss, Brian Wilson. Santiago Casilla is 3 for 3 in save opps. and has solidified the spot, so the Giants can save Willy for a possible postseason series or one game playoff should they get that far. Again, there is only 12 games left, but if the Giants go, say 10-2, or 9-3 and the Braves do the opposite, then they could sneak in. It's time to start rooting for whoever is playing Atlanta as well as Arizona and do the double scoreboard watching in these last 2 weeks. At least this team is going out with a fight, and aren't just taking it as a lost season and throwing in the towel.