FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Cain-Willis. In & Out... said 02/15, 04:57 PM
Bruce Bochy said Zito will start Opening Day. I don't think that is a good idea.

1) Zito is 0-3 with a 9.49 era in opening day starts.

2) He had a terrible year last year going 11-13 with a 4.53 era. (just because he finished the year with a 3-2 mark is no excuse)

3) The Giants are rebuilding. Cain and Lincecum have more talent than Zito and both posted lower ERA's last year. Just because Zito gets paid the most is not a good reason get Opening Day. It's common knowledge he is the third or fourth best starter on the team.

4) Cain was the Ace last year with a 3.65 era.(Zito never had an era that good since 2003) The worst run support in the NL gave him a 7-16 record, but he is incredibly strong mentally as well as physically. It would be a great reward after the beating he took last year, to give him the Opening Day start in Dodger Stadium.

One idea is that this will keep the pressure off of Cain. Well, Zito will lose the first game, and the Giants will start the season 0-1, and it will go to Cain in game 2 trying to get the Giants first win. I say don't start the season off on the wrong foot by giving the ball to Zito.

Cain-Willis. In & Out... said 02/15, 05:24 PM
Just because Zito is grossly overpaid does not mean he is the ace. Just because a pitcher DOESN't start opening day doesn't they gave up on him, but to give the ball to a guy who had the HIGHEST ERA IN THE ENTIRE GIANTS ROTATION is not a good call.

The Giants would be better suited to match Zito up against other starters with higher era's, not other teams Aces.

The Opening Day start is an honor. Honor should not go to the undeserving, it should go to the guy that earned it. Cain had more quality starts last year than Johan Santana, Roy Oswalt, Eric Bedard, Justin Verlander and Josh Beckett!! That is a fact!

Zito had a career worst year last year. For Zito, the bigger the pressure the worse he plays. The way for Zito to flourish is to stay under the radar and once he actually plays well in the BEGINNING of the year, THEN give him the ball. Don't give the ball to a guy who pitches best in August after the team dead in the water.

Cain-Willis. In & Out... said 02/15, 05:50 PM
Zito is a slow-throwing lefty. He is much more suited to being sloted between Cain and Lincecum, two fire-balling right-handers.

Cain is ranked 5th in the NL in Quality Start %. Zito is 25th. No bueno amigo.

You think Zito will rebound? Huh? He has an 80-83 mph fastball. He loses speed on that pitch ever year since he broke into the majors. Dominant? He hasn't been dominant since 2002, and you think 2008 is his comeback year? What?

You follow baseball dude? Cain is well known around baseball! Do some research. Cain is the Giants chance to start the season off right. Last year in 5 April starts he gave up 12 hits for a 1.54 era. Dominating.

Cain is a rising star, any baseball officianado(?) will tell you that. Zito on the other hand, can only hope for a 14-10 season.

Cain HAS proven a lot in baseball! And Zito was never 'dominant' last year. Or the four years before. He was 'lucky', 'elusive', 'tricky', and such, but not dominant. Matt Cain has made 70 MLB starts, don't lie to me and say 'not many guys have seen his stuff'.

There is no way Zito should get opening day, no matter how badly he is overpaid.