Freak Show

I've been remiss in recently overlooking some of the great writing of fellow Lunatic Fringe bloggers, an oversight I look to correct with some gusto here and now.

It goes without saying that today's game was an absolutely marvelous way to wash out the taste of poor Matt Palmer's first big league start (and subsequent shellacking).

In hitting his first career bomb, the endearingly earnest Travis Ishikawa picked the right starter to back. Yes, it looks like our very own Franchise is no worse for wear following the Ausmus Liner Heard 'Round The Bay, regaining the Major League lead for strikeouts. JC from Raising (Matt) Cain puts what we're witnessing in perspective:

1. 13-3 is the second best start in SF history (5 occurences). Only a couple hacks named Perry and Marichal were better at 14-2. I venture to guess they had better teams playing behind them, ya think?

2. With his sixth double digit strikeout game this year (8 in his career), he ties Marichal (1966) for number 4 on this all time list. Only Schmidt (9 in 2004), Sadecki (8 in 1968), and Montefusco (7 in 1975) are above him. With at least five or so starts left, Tim has a good shot at taking over the lead of that list.

3. The Enchanter has limited opponents to 3 or fewer runs in 40 of his 49 career starts, including 21 of 25 this year. The Giants are 26-14 in those forty games. Tim is 17-0 (29 starts) when the Giants score at least three runs for him.

Simply mind-boggling. Great research, JC.

The bullpen (with the notable exception of the increasingly dominant Brian "Servin' UAK" Wilson) continued their shaky ways. Luckily, erstwhile number-cruncher Chris at Bay City Ball provides us with statistics to back up our daily stream of obscenities at the television.

The bullpen has largely struggled this year. Wilson has emerged as the top arm but with the disintegration of Tyler Walker, Brad Hennessey, Vinnie Chulk and the majority of the younger arms having their expected ups-and-downs, it hasn’t been a pretty sight. (Fielding Independent Pitching) isn’t thrilled with Taschner but he’s having a decent year, he might be pitching over his head right now to some extent. The Giants are last in the National League for bullpen ERA at 4.44.

Ouch.

- A San Francisco Giants Minor League Blog posts it's most excellent daily roundup of minor league notables. While Mad Bum continues to do his thing, note the continued hot hitting of Ben Copeland at AAA. You may remember Copeland as the Giants first pick in 2005 - in the fourth round. But don't worry, throwing away those first few picks were totally worth it.

Anyway, Copeland, after a slow start to his pro career, looks to be breaking out at 24. The speedy slap-hitter may need to change positions, however, to have a shot at making any headway with this club. Still, he's a kid worth keeping an eye on.

- Check out this interesting piece on Buster Posey from one of his hometown rags. It looks like, at the very least, no one can deny the kid's makeup, something that can't hurt at his position.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be dreaming of cerebral pitch-calling and a staff of mentally happy young fireballers, oh, sometime in 2010.