News
Giants hitters a mixed bag vs. lefties
San Francisco (82-72) vs. Chicago (80-73), 1:10 p.m. PT
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
09/26/09 12:43 AM ET
SAN FRANCISCO -- Every club likes having speed at the top of the batting order. Lately, the Giants have featured not only speed but also versatility. In four games since right-handed-batting Freddy Sanchez was sidelined with a knee injury, the Giants have used at least three switch-hitters at the top of the order, led by Eugenio Velez. Wednesday at Arizona, manager Bruce Bochy's first four batters were switch-hitters: Velez, Andres Torres, Randy Winn and Pablo Sandoval. Theoretically, this should spare Bochy from having to do much substituting late in games and foil opponents who try to subdue the Giants with left- or right-handed relief specialists. But, as the Giants prepare to face Chicago left-hander Tom Gorzelanny on Saturday, it's worth noting that San Francisco's switch-hitters sport noticeable differentials from each side. This Giants-Cubs rematch has been selected as FOX's Game of the Week, with Chris Rose calling play-by-play and Jose Mota providing commentary. Left-handers such as Gorzelanny pose significant problems for Velez, who entered Friday batting .192 against southpaws, and Winn, a .154 hitter batting right-handed. By contrast, Torres and Sandoval have hit lefties to the tune of .350 and .361, respectively. Sandoval is the only member of the group to display any consistency. He began Friday with a .314 average against right-handers. Winn (.293) and Velez (.295) have been dramatically better when facing righties. However, Torres, a natural right-handed batter, has struggled (.179) when he confronts right-handers and has to bat left-handed. The Giants' rare encounters with Gorzelanny weren't pleasant. He defeated them twice while allowing only two earned runs in 16 innings while playing for Pittsburgh on July 29, 2006, and Aug. 12, 2007. Pitching matchupSF: LHP Barry Zito (10-12, 3.99 ERA)
For all the disappointments and criticism he has received, Zito has been a terrific September-stretch pitcher throughout his career. A short (4 1/3 innings) no-decision outing in Arizona in his last start was a rare blip on a radar that has seen him go 23-9 in 45 September starts when his team has been in a playoff race. The left-hander has been as reliable in the second half of this season, having essentially halved his ERA (5.01 before the All-Star break and 2.58 since). A wounded team like the Cubs could be perfect for keeping alive Zito's hopes of a .500 season. CHC: LHP Tom Gorzelanny (6-2, 5.08 ERA)
Gorzelanny will get another look before the season ends. The lefty started Monday against the Brewers and matched his career high in strikeouts with nine. He gave up two runs on six hits over five innings. He figures in the Cubs' plans in 2010, either in the rotation or as a long man in the bullpen. Tidbits
One final reminder: Saturday's starting time represents a change from the originally scheduled first pitch of 6:05 p.m. PT. ... Early-arriving fans are encouraged to witness the unveiling of a bronze plaque commemorating Jonathan Sanchez's July 10 no-hitter against San Diego. The ceremony will be held Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. PT on the Giants Walk of Fame. Sanchez and the rest of the Giants will assemble at AT&T Park's Portwalk, located behind the right-field arcade. The Walk of Fame honors significant Giants moments that have occurred at AT&T Park. Sanchez is the fourth honoree, joining Barry Bonds, Robb Nen and Jason Schmidt. Tickets
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• KNBR 680, KIQI (Español), KATD 990 (Sp.), KGST 1600 (Sp.) Up next
• Sunday: Giants (Matt Cain, 13-7, 2.99) vs. Cubs (Randy Wells, 11-9, 3.00), 1:05 p.m. PT
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Giants (Jonathan Sanchez, 7-12, 4.25) vs. Diamondbacks (TBD), 7:15 p.m. PT
Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
