Article:SF Giants: Big Start for Zito

Tuesday nights start in Arizona is a huge one for Barry Zito. Currently sitting at 0-4, Zito takes the mound in search of his first win of the season against one of the best pitchers in the league, Brandon Webb. While Zito has been better in his last two starts than he was in his first two, he's still walking way too many batters and getting himself behind in the count early. With Zito topping out at 84 mph on the fastball, he can't afford to get behind hitters and become predictable to a count. The Diamondbacks are always a tough team for him as well because of all the right handed thump that they have. If Zito goes win-less in April, it will start rumblings about sending him to the DL or possibly to the bullpen so tonight would be as good of time as any to get back on track. The rest of the starting rotation continues to throw the ball well enough to stick and Zito right now really is the odd man out. Who knows, maybe a win over the Leagues best team and could be just what's needed to get Zito back on track. I doubt it, but we can hope.

The more Fred Lewis plays, the better he is starting to look. He has been playing so well lately that the Giants have sent down Rajai Davis and have committed to Lewis full time in left. His defense, while still a bit shaky, has improved a bunch over the first couple weeks of the season and his base running is making progress as well. He has 2 stolen bases over the last 4 games and is looking a lot better getting jumps off the pitcher. His hitting hasn't been an issue ever since he put on a Giants uniform last spring. I know 60 at-bats is a small sample, but as I said a few posts back, a 15 hr/20 sb season with a +.300 avg. and a +.350 ops is not out of the question and that would be golden compared to what the Giants farm system has produced over the last 10 years. The only question regarding Lewis at this point is where to hit him in the order. His ability to work counts and get on base point to keeping him in the lead off spot, but he does have the potential to hit the ball out of the ballpark and drive in runs which is something this team lacks. They may eventually want his bat in the middle of the order if he keeps leading the team in OPS. Any way you look at it, the Giants look like they finally have they one of their own producing regularly in the big leagues and that is refreshing.