SF Examiner: The Franchise shows his worth

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

It was a game that had the Atlanta Braves reaching for pitches, and the media reaching for comparisons. If it wasn’t the finest game Tim Linececum ever has pitched for the Giants, it no question was the most important he ever pitched.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Barry Zito: Giants' Expensive Spectator

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN FRANCISCO — This was another reminder about the improbability of sport. A few hours after Roy Halladay of the Phillies had his no-hitter, Barry Zito of the Giants in effect became no pitcher, removed from the playoff roster.

Everyone knew Halladay would be dominant, but no one suspected he would throw two no-hitters, including one a perfect game, in a matter of months.

Everyone believed Barry Zito would be dominant. To the contrary, he's been a disappointment. And a very expensive one, if that is of consequence.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: Postseason baseball back in the Bay

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

SAN FRANCISCO — The Atlanta Braves have better hitting, and even if you’re an optimist and figure the Giants can go the next step, there’s no way they beat the Philadelphia Phillies. Unless they do, and then if it’s New York Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series. It’s a given, top to bottom, American League teams are superior to those from the National League.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Hitting woes leave no room for error

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

SAN FRANCISCO — So Barry Zito pitches his best game in weeks. And the Giants still lose. So Zito, Santiago Casilla, Ramon Ramirez, Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo combine for a one-hitter. And the Giants still lose. It’s going to be a long winter.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Giants thriving in September baseball

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Is this splendid torture or what? Three and a half weeks to go, and Tim Lincecum has found it once more. Three and a half weeks to go, and the San Diego Padres no longer seem invincible. Three and half weeks to go, and the Giants are very much in the race.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company