What can be more grim than the Dodgers coming into SBC Park and taking two of three from our hometown Giants. Those guys from Los Angeles are supposed to be soft, to lack the heart of San Francisco’s finest. But when you get beat by Jeff Weaver, it is time to take a could hard look in the mirror. The Giants stir emotions because if they make the playoffs they have a reasonable chance to return to the World Series. The A’s, on the other hand, have a better chance than the Giants to make the playoffs but are sure to lose in the first round. Here’s why all hope is gone for the local nines.
Brett Tomko took the mound yesterday with the finest record the past month of any pitcher in the National League. But with the season on the line, Tomko could not get past the fifth inning.
It’s called “reverting to form.” If Tomko were a big-game pitcher, he would not change teams every season.
Everyone claimed the Dodgers were through after the seemingly good trade that turned disastrous when Brad Penny was lost for the season. But it seems that Paul LeDuca’s “leadership” was not needed after all.
It can’t get any lower than to lose to Jeff Weaver. The Giants had him on the ropes each inning but let the ex-Yankee off the hook. It is one thing for the Giants to lose a pennant race to a Dodgers team with Sandy Koufax or even Orel Hersheiser—but not to be set down by Jeff Weaver.
Amidst the gloom, Barry Bonds burnished his credentials. All of baseball will miss him if the Giants do not make the post-season.
The A’s are a different story.
None of Oakland’s “Big Three” have the skills or moxie of a Curt Schilling or even a healthy Andy Pettite. These pitchers take the ball in big games and win.
In contrast, Tim Hudson lost two of the five games when the A’s were beaten by the Twins, Zito is inconsistent, and Mulder may be through.
This is the weakest pitching Oakland team in years and has no chance to beat the Yanks or Red Sox. The Angels could defeat one or both, and they deserve the chance to do so.
Oakland gets fat on the bad teams and loses regularly to the good ones. Please save us from seeing Octavio Dotel trying to hold a lead during the playoffs.
October is a beautiful month in the Bay Area, and this year we will not have playoff action to distract us.
