It's all about the pitching...

Noteworthy performances:

Oakland A's Joe Blanton goes for 8 strong innings in the season opener against the Seattle Mariners in Oakland. And, Huston Street gets out of a crazy bases-loaded situation in the 9th! Tonight's win brings them only a 1/2 game out of 1st in the AL West (behind Texas).

It's gettin brutal in the NL West - for the SF Giants atleast! Jared Wright was knocked out of the park in the 1st inning tonight, against the DBacks in AZ, but I really really like his stuff. Concern: I feel like all our opponents are able to read him as the game/season progresses. Aside from Wright, though, I can't recall specific outings, but I know I saw Accardo in a relief (?) situation a couple weeks back (?) and I was stunned - he had some crazy powerful control and I honestly didn't know who I was watching - he was like a whole new pitcher.

I'm getting really worried about all the pressure on our Ace, Jason Schmidt. He is gonna have to carry us through to the postseason, and I just hope he still has enough in him to get through an Orange October!

Tonight was Barry's first game back in exactly 7 days. He definitely hasn't looked as 'sharp' as in year's past, and I miss it, BUT... as far as I'm concerned, he still brings so much to the game. I am thoroughly intrigued with how his mere presence in the lineup, alone, affects the dynamics of the game, the broadcast, the energy... sidethought: I thought I was hallucinating when tonight's camera flashed to the Giants dugout, before first pitch, and could've sworn I saw Barry waving to the camera!?! trippy. It's refreshing not feeling like everyone around me is just watching him, with bated breath, waiting for another long ball. I seriously just want him to get a hit, get on base, score a run, and show me some glovin out there in LF! Plus, awesome defensive plays like the one today, when he robbed the DBack's Eric Byrnes of a homer... sigh... that's my Barry.

Travis Ishikawa seems so comfortable in the Bigs - like he's been up from the minors for 5 years already! He seriously looks pretty solid and his mechanics are only further solidified with his seemingly calm, cool mentality/attitude.

I'm at the ballpark next Tuesday, against the Angels, so it'll be difficult for me, but I will promise not to heckle any Angels fans in the park (well, atleast not to the point of violence... hehe).