RealClearSports: Debate Rages Over Strasburg Shutdown

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN FRANCISCO — So in a while, a couple of weeks probably, Stephen Strasburg won't be allowed to pitch. But that's the future. For the present, he's still active, and today he's going for the Nationals against the Giants.

That's why Tuesday night's win by the Giants over Washington was important. "Huge,'' said Bruce Bochy, San Francisco's manager. The Nats were 4-0 against the Giants. And Monday night, they crushed San Francisco, 14-2.

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© RealClearSports 2012

RealClearSports: When Baseball Teams Give Up

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

It's a business. That inescapable point has been drummed into us as long as there have been professional sports. At no time, however, does the idea become as apparent as that tidy little period at the end of July, baseball's trading deadline.

Teams in contention desperately go after the player or players they believe will make them champions. Teams out of contention basically throw up their arms and throw out their stars, although nobody involved ever would concede they, well, have conceded. Even though it's obvious they have.

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© RealClearSports 2012

SF Examiner: Optimism rises in S.F., pessimism reigns overseas

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

In only a few days, the season has improved dramatically for the Giants. Baseball joyfully provides for such rapid swings of success and emotion.

As opposed to the sport that matters most here in England, soccer, or as they call it, football.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Time for Timmy to just pitch

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

It has to end sometime, doesn’t it, this Tim Lincecum agony? There have been pitchers who mysteriously lost their accuracy or their speed, Steve Blass back in the ’70s, Rick Ankiel not so long ago, but they didn’t win two Cy Young Awards. Then again ...

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Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Giants on right trajectory

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

The season is far from ideal. There’s that Timmy thing, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are still in front of the division. But now the Giants have hitting and speed, and with the season still four months from conclusion, they very well could finish where everyone thought they would: in first.

Melky Cabrera breaking a record by Willie Mays — and who ever imagined those names would be linked?

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company