Big Al McMordie
Game: Pittsburgh Pirates at San Francisco Giants Aug 12 2007 3:05PM
Prediction: OVER
While one player named Barry (Bonds) has been setting records in San Francisco and enjoying what some people would call a magical season, especially in front of his hometown fans, the other Barry on the team has suffered through what is so far easily the worst season of his eight year career. When they signed Barry Zito in the off-season, the Giants thought they were spending their $10 Million a year on one of the best lefthanders in the game, a Cy Young award winner (2002), and a player who, at 28 years old, should be coming into his prime. Instead what they've gotten so far is an 8-10 record and a horrendous 5.16 ERA. Zito's famed curveball has only worked occasionally and he has left far too many of his pitches right over the plate and the hitters in the league have been teeing off. Pittsburgh thought early on this season that THEY would have one of the new best lefthanders in the game in 26 year old Tom Gorzellany. Indeed, Gorzellany's numbers prior to the All Star Break put him at the top of the southpaw class with a 9-4 record and 3.10 ERA. But since then, the Bucs have only won one of Gorzellany's next four starts and his ERA for the second half is 4.84. As for Zito, Bonds is not the only Barry on the Giants with a home run record. Zito is leading the team this season in homers ALLOWED with 19. The over is 11-4 in the Pirates last 15 road games. Take the 'over'. As always, good luck...Al McMordie
Big Al McMordie
10,000 Dime
Milwaukee Brewers