How do the Giants manage their starting pitching rotation going into the final 6 games of the year?

The Mercury News breaks it down

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/extrabaggs/2010/09/26/postgame-notes-how-would-you-line-up-the-giants-starters/

49ers fire Jimmy Raye, hope to turn season around

The 49ers fired offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye today and have replaced him with quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson. To me this is a good move, but I don't think this will have that severe of an impact will be on the 49ers offense. Alex Smith has looked abysmal at times but shown signs of promises. The key thing about this move is that Mike Singletary's offensive philosophy needs to change; the other teams know you are going to run the ball so why do you keep running it? I suggest airing it out; Alex Smith does not have the greatest arm but he is able to throw the ball. It just does not make sense to me why they stick with a philosophy that does not work or has not proved to work so far. If your leading receiver is your running back through three games, your offense is clearly not successful. I believe Singletary made the right move firing Jimmy Raye; however, I hope Mike Johnson is a little more creative with his playcalling not just sticking to "smashmouth" football in a league that is all about the passing game. Let's hope for the best this upcoming week in Atlanta.

49ers vs. Chiefs

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2010/09/now-hear-this-play-calling-will-be-tested-in-kc.html

Here's a good link from insider Matt Maiocco detailing if the 49ers will truly be able to get over the troubles they have had this season calling plays.

SF Giants start key road trip, need to stop swinging for fences

Today, the San Francisco Giants will start a six game road trip featuring three games against the Chicago Cubs and three against the Colorado Rockies. Since losing Andres Torres the sparkplug in their offense and arguably the best leadoff hitter in the league, the Giants have only been able to manage to score runs with the long ball. With the pitching staff coming back to stellar form, the hitters will have to step up. Besides ROY candidate Buster Posey, every Giants player is swinging for the fences. Since the amazing comeback against the Dodgers on Sept 4th, the Giants have been averaging less than a run a game in games they do not hit a home run. Three key words this ballclub needs to focus on: On Base Percentage. Follow Buster Posey's lead and get on base; good things happen when players get on base. If they do this, and the pitching keeps doing what they have done all year, the Giants should have a great shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

Matt Cain, the workhorse of this staff and most consistent pitchers goes tonight for the Giants. As usual, Cain should keep them in the game and leave it up to the offense to get the win. In the Milwaukee series, the Giants showed that they are still unable to beat the teams they are supposed to beat. In order to remain in contention, they need to take or sweep the series in Chicago because if history shows anything, it is that Coors Field is a scary place for Giants fans. At the end of this roadtrip, we will know if this Giants team is a playoff team or if they are just happy to be in the pennant race.