Opinion

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Mike Scioscia said he had a sleepless night after the game in which the Angels had five baserunning blunders. Well, Mike, start looking for the sleeping pills.

Is it that hard to go 90 feet without screwing up? Seriously. Vladdy we know is a self destructive missile on the basepaths. He runs the bases the same way he swings: damn the torpedoes!

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Why don’t the San Francisco Giants lock up ace Tim Lincecum to a long-term contract?

Since the end of his 2008 Cy Young campaign, I have been answering the above question to more people that I can remember. 

Now, with another stellar season almost halfway done, and with Lincecum among the leaders in almost every pitching category, that question is once again finding its way into many a conversation.

For the first time since 2005, the San Francisco Giants have a chance to be in the playoff race down to the final week of the season.

Players like Pablo Sandoval, Nate Schierholtz, Sergio Romo, and Ryan Sadowski have seemingly come out of nowhere to be major contributors to the NL Wild Card leading San Francisco Giants.

Combine the surprising young studs with the savvy 1-2 punch of aces Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, the Giants have a core group that may end up taking the team to the playoffs.

Right now, it seems that the New York Mets don't know how to win, and that is very much true.  They have lost eight out of their last ten and show no signs of winning anytime soon.  The Mets have been shutout in back to back games for the first time since 2005.

The Mets aren't pitching, hitting or fielding.  That is their formula for losing, and it is the formula for pretty much all baseball teams that lose a game. 

Last night, before the Mets got blasted to smithereens by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 8-0 loss, Mets GM Omar Minaya addressed the media, again, about the Mets current injury status and its affect on the club for the rest of the season and beyond. 

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Last place awaits the loser of today's game in Arizona. The SHAME of it all. Padres fans deserve better than this, and yet quietly, the NOT fire sale is on again. It's been going on since the Padres traded future All-Star pitcher Fred Norman for a bag of used baseballs back in 1972.

In dealing dependable outfielder Scott Hairston to Oakland last week, the brass resent a message to the players that no one is safe. Padre players should not be surprised. That's how it's done here in San Diego. Here today, a Brewer tomorrow...

A's fans like myself really appreciate Andrew Bailey.

The rookie righthander has emerged from obscurity to become one of the best relievers in baseball this season. Using a devastating cutter/curveball combo, Bailey has carved up the American League with a 2.67 FIP.

That said, Bailey's not the best reliever on the team. And the guy better than him doesn't get nearly as much recognition.

Michael Wuertz has been the best reliever on the A's.

I know Bailey's got the saves and the flashier ERA, but bear with me.