Samardzija has to Lower the HR totals

Jeff Samardzija had a great year if you like strikeouts versus walks. And who doesn't? But it is those at-bats when he gets ahead of the hitter that he gives up too much of the plate and the ball goes a long ways. Usually over the fence in fair territory.

Listening to Jon Miller you got the feeling he couldn't emphasize enough how Samardzija would get an 0-2 count on someone and then lay one in there. Come on, man! When you are ahead in the count you make the hitter hit something out of the strike zone. Anything in the strike zone is a gift.

The other pitchers on the Giants's staff gave up their fair share of home runs but it was usually because the home plate umpire had an intermittent strike zone and they had to put one in the strike zone for fear of walking the batter. 

Now if only the Giants can figure out a way to get an umpire to be more consistent with calling balls and strikes.


Kevin Marquez