Giants Brewers rubber match: Matt Cain's '09 debut

April 9, 2:35 PMSan Francisco Giants ExaminerTheo Fightmaster

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Cain has been disguised as a loser the past two years. AP Photo

Last year’s mantra may have been “Lincecum, Cain and pray for rain.” This year the staff is even more of a force, but it will only be as good as their offense allows them to be. So perhaps it's more simply put in '09; score for Cain.

The last two seasons there hasn’t been a pitcher with worse luck than Matt Cain. Cain, in both ’07 and ’08, received the least run support of any starter with 160 or more  innings. In 2007, the signature year of Cain’s plight, the big right hander received an average of 4.55 runs per game, the lowest out of 82 pitchers with at least 160 innings.  In ’08 it got even worse as the Giants supported Cain with 4.47 runs per game, again the worst of 89 who pitched 160 innings. Overall, Cain has received the second worst run support in the majors the last two years. Conversley, Vicente Padillia had 9.37 runs per game in his starts with Texas last year.

The Giants' opening day 10 run outburst was significant for the team’s line up and the question marks surrounding it.  But tonight in San Francisco the Giants need to make another statement with thier work horse Cain on the mound.  While one game does not amount to much over a 162 game schedule, if the Giants can show the 24 year old Cain that this year will be different it will do wonders for the team's collective confidence.

If Cain goes out and loses his 2009 debut in familiar fashion it’s going to be hard for him and his team to avoid another season of bad luck, and grinding at bats. After two seasons this has become a plague, and Cain has suffered the brunt of the disease. His record the last two seasons is a Barry Zito like 15-30, but with a 3.71 earned run average and opponents hitting just .243 against him.

A good start is vital for Cain and the Giants for a number of reasons. One is purely economic; if this team fades early it’s really going to hurt attendance and therefore revenue. Secondly, if Cain, who could be a free agent after next year barring a club option, and other young pitchers feel they won’t be supported, there is little chance they re-up with the Giants.

Tonight Cain will match up with Brewer lefty Manny Para. Para will face most of the regulars behind Cain, only Rich Aurilia will be at first instead of Travis Ishikawa.  Manager Brue Bochy was careful to point out that he doesn’t plan on a platoon with the duo at first.  Aurilia will only get starts against certain lefty’s and right-handers that he may have a good history against. So far Ishikawa is hitting .333 with three RBI’s.