The lead is down to 4 games; the Giants can tie with a sweep of the 'Dres

Wow, this is about as good as one could have hoped for the Giants given how this season has gone: they can tie for the lead with a sweep of the 'Dres. Odds still long to win the division but improved greatly with their victory coupled with the 'Dres loss. Unfortunately, we get tested early with Hennessey facing Peavy (2.93 ERA at home this season, 1.00 WHIP, .208 BAA; Bonds and Snow has ruled him) - talk about long odds! We either need Dr. Hennessey to show up for Monday's game or Bonds to have a 3 homer game or something.

It gets little better the rest of the series with Tomko vs. Eaton (3.13 ERA at home, 1.32 WHIP, .257 BAA; Alfonzo, Alou, Bonds, Durham, and Snow have clobbered him); Schmidt vs. Astacio (3.38 ERA at PETCO, 1.20 WHIP, .202 BAA; Alfonzo, Alou, Bonds, Matheny, and Snow have crushed him); and Lowry vs. Lawrence (4.64 ERA at home, 1.26 WHIP, .256 BAA; Bonds, Durham and Feliz have dominated him). It will just be a gaunlet of pitchers the Giants will face against the 'Dres, hopefully they will be up for it.

What about Cain?!? Another good outing, going 6.0 IP, only 3 hits, 3 walks, 1 homer, 1 R/ER, with 4 strikeouts. Although Hawkins promptly blew the save and cost Cain the victory, Cain was able to have another sterling pitching performance - in particular in Coors, the warped reality of baseball there where 5 run leads are not safe. He has not had one bad outing yet and continues to impress with his consistency, unlike King Felix, who had two bad starts in a row before nearly pitching a no-hitter.