The San Francisco Giants have suddenly been on fire. After a very successful road trip, they won their first two games of their current homestand before falling to the Phillies on Wednesday. With their dramatic 1-0 10th inning victory (their bullpen vs. the Phillies ace) Tuesday night, they had won 8 of their previous 10.
Most conspicuous change is their hitting. It was situational and opportunistic, with a number of the hitters looking like Pablo Sandoval in his prime, driving the pitch to places where the fielders weren't. Also very obvious, they finally scored big on an offseason acquisition of a star player with Matt Chapman. Chapman adds power, smart hitting as well, and great fielding at third base. His incredible play to end a game against Pittsburgh and preserve the win was one for the ages. For the moment at least, the Giants are in second place and a game above .500.
Speaking of Pittsburgh, the Pirates have been playing above their reputation lately as well. They won a series in Chicago and more impressively in Atlanta against the highly touted Braves. They're still below .500 but if they can keep hitting, their new starters should add some victories, assuming the bullpen doesn't give them all away.
Back to the Giants: it was so great to tune into the 1-0 game and hear that same brilliant broadcasting team I listened to in the glory days. (I find the Pirates announcing embarrassing. All that Jolly Rodger and cannonball crap.)
This is something I am well aware of and cherish about rooting for Bay Area teams. Where else in the country can you find the best announcing team in baseball still on the air (through thick and thin, while oversensitive fans like me listen mostly during the thick)? Or where else in the NBA can you find core players you've enjoyed watching for ten years but at Golden State? As part of an organization that on and off the court is the gold standard of sports? It's gratitude, man.
In the NBA playoffs, well, it turns out that all the fun was in the second round. In the third, the Celtics swept and the Mavs won in 5. I have no interest in the finals.
