So ESPN is showing every Giants game, and I happened to watch the 1st game while I ate my Oreos tonight. Barry Zito retired the first 3 batters he faced. He worked very quickly, and looked confident on the mound. I think he's going to turn things around, and be the ace the Giants paid an arm, a leg, a kidney, and a spleen for. Agree?
2007-08-02 15:42:16 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
Yes, I'm jumping the gun. I just wanted to ask a question for the heck of it
2007-08-02 15:48:51 · update #1
And I wanted to see if any Giants fans would come to defend him, because they do with the other Barry.
2007-08-02 15:49:18 · update #2
I agree 100%. He is alos smokin hott!
2007-08-02 16:40:24 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ Angels fan ♥ 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you're jumping the gun by basing your assessment on one inning of Zito's pitching.
He's been slowly losing velocity over the past four seasons, to the point now that hitters can just sit on his fastball when his curveball isn't working at 100%. Look at his strikeout totals since his Cy Young season five years ago, and you'll see that they've been steadily decreasing. Paying him $75m over 5 years was a case of ridiculous overpayment, and he'll never be the ace the Giants thought they were signing.
Edit - The funny thing is that I'm watching the same game. But, I don't have any yummy Oreos.
2007-08-02 15:47:35 · answer #2 · answered by Craig S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no question that Zito has had success in the past and has been a winner. He has not looked good with the Giants and there is no guarantee that he will return to the form he once had. However, the Giants are paying him a lot of money and they will stick with him and give him every chance to regain his form.
2007-08-02 15:54:18 · answer #3 · answered by Frizzer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope
he may improve his numbers but the signing was a poor one at the time. He hasnt had an ERA below 3.80 since 2003. At this point in his career according to baseball-refence.com he compares best to Mike Hampton, Ramon Martinez and Ray Culp. Expect an ERA in the mid to upper fours by seasons end but dont expect miracles. Also in 2 of the past 3 years his ERA has been much worse i the second half than in the first.
2007-08-02 15:52:19 · answer #4 · answered by Cutler4pres 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he doesn't turn things around during the 2nd half I'm sure he will next season. If not the Giants will need a veteran pitcher to mentor him like Matt Morris did with Matt Cain and Noah Lowry before the Giants traded him to the Pirates.
2007-08-02 17:31:29 · answer #5 · answered by t_macnumb1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought that if he was going to turn things around, he would've done it by now. He is 3-7 in his 10 last starts, and is only averaging 5.2 innings per start in that streak. He has a 5.94 ERA on the road and a 12.00 ERA against their dreaded rivals, the Dodgers.
Sorry friend, I just don't see him turning it around this year. He's got great stuff and I believe he will be good next year, but he has had an awful year.
2007-08-02 15:49:14 · answer #6 · answered by sirmoosta 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Zito will be fine in due time. He could be having first year jitters with a new team & all.
2007-08-02 16:49:18 · answer #7 · answered by Scooter_loves_his_dad 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋