One Down, Eleven to Go

Can the Giants work their even year October magic again?  They took the first step tonight in a dominating victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The game almost had a tone of business as usual as the outcome was never in jeopardy.  They had their ace on the mound and Madison Bumgarner continued his post season domination pitching a complete game shutout.

2007 Bowman Sterling Refractor auto 133/199

Not the prettiest look on his face but I am very glad to have this card in my collection.  Bumgarner was calm, cool and collected and demanded to ball until the end.  Unfortunately, by having to pitch in this game, he will only have one start in the NLDS.

While Madison Bumgarner was a somewhat likely star, Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford was somewhat of an unlikely star.

2011 Topps Tier One Auto 292/999

Crawford got the Giants on the board with a deep grand slam home run in the 4th inning to give Bumgarner more than enough run support.  I saw a stat, I think it was last night on the Royals/A's game, that Crawford had the 3rd highest batting average as a left handed hitter against lefty pitchers this year.  Kind of odd as he was subbed out against lefty's prior to this year.  This really has no pertinence as the Pirates pitcher was right handed.

I am watching the Giants celebrate with champagne in the clubhouse on ESPN right now.  I think the whole champagne thing is overdone but I am super happy the Giants playoff run will continue.

Go Giants!!!