Madison Bumgarner Still A Good Pitcher, the Astros Still the Astros

Buster Posey with a successful baseball play

            The All Star break is long. It’s only 4 days, but wow is it long. It probably doesn’t help that there are zero sports going on during the break, which puts a damper on everything. Brian Wilson’s pet sasquatch could occupy me for only so long, as I quickly found myself watching a summer league basketball game between the Pacers and Who Actually Gives a Crap? I know too much about Blake Ahearn now.  You have never heard of Blake Ahearn. But do you know what Blake Ahearn’s free throw shooting percentage in college was? Because I do. I also just wrote 4 lines about Blake Ahearn and you are still reading, so who is the loser now?

          The point is, the long layoff is long. Everything that happened prior to the break is a blur. There’s always an irrational fear that these players won’t be the same after such a long break. It’s easy to arbitrarily split the season into pre and post all star break, but in reality it’s just that: an arbitrary end point that could be chosen anywhere in the season. However, that lull from Giants baseball, combined with the tumultuous end to the first half of the season made for a bit of unrest during the break. Like, what if Madison was eaten by a sea monster during the All Star break? Could you prove to me he didn’t get eaten by a sea monster? I haven't seen him in 4 days! He probably was just lost off shore and had no where to go and then the sea monster came and why? Why did this happen?


           Tonight, Madison Bumgarner was good, which reassured Giants fans that these players are in fact the same players, and that Madison Bumgarner was not digested by a sea monster. He was that calming presence that just told everybody to relax saying “Calm down guys. I am still here  JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ.  Just look at me here!" Now I am relaxed, thank you Madison! 

 Bumgarner also struggled against Nationals in his last start, which is the freshest memory anyone’s had of him during the All Star break. Now his 7 inning, 1 ER, 2 hit masterpiece is fresh in our heads, which I like. He’s given up less than 2 hits in 2 of his last 3 starts, sandwiched in between a complete disaster in Washington, which I am going to say is the heat because it’s convenient.  Even with last week’s catastrophe, Bumgarner has been as more consistent than any one could have expected at 22 years old. It’s hard to not take this guy for granted when he’s pitching this well every time he takes the mound. Has it really gotten to the point where we aren't surprised at what this guy is doing? The fact that Bumgarner has done that, speaks to everything this young man has done. It’s ridiculous how good he is, and how immune he is to typical young pitcher struggles. The dude is still amazing, and he was the perfect pitcher to start this game because he is Madison Bumgarner, who was not eaten by a sea monster.

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Reiterating that Madison Bumgarner is only 22 is so cliché these days, so I’m going to reiterate that Madison Bumgarner is only 22. Madison Bumgarner is only 22.

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            Buster Posey is strong.

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            Pablo Sandoval bumrushed Chris Snyder tonight, which is no different than what Scott Cousins did to Buster Posey. Both dudes were just trying to make a play for their team, and score a run. It just so happens Buster Posey’s ankle broke on one play and Chris Snyder stayed in one piece in the other. But really, Sandoval and Cousins had the exact same intention, except the difference is Sandoval eats 5 Scott Cousins for Breakfast everyday just to get his mind going. It’s still completely lunatic that this is considered part of a baseball game. Right now Bud Selig is saying “We, Major League Baseball, agree to let 260 pound grown men sprint full speed directly into defenseless humans.” Yep, sounds good to me too Bud!

            I don’t expect Brian Sabean to be complaining about this one.

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             Finally, there was this after the game:

Bochy admitted there is a slight change in closing situation. If Romo has quick eighths he will start ninth.
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) July 14, 2012

            If this means more innings and more trust for Sergio Romo, than it’s a step in the right direction. Also, the bullpen didn’t give up any runs tonight, which I’m counting as a return to dominance!