(By e.Chang)

The Week That Was:
Won 1, lost 2 against the Nationals
Won 2, lost 1 against the Marlins

55-68 for the season; last place in the NL West, 17 games back.

The Week That Will Be:
Mon: home against the Red Sox
Tue: home against the Red Sox
Wed: home against the Red Sox
Thu: home against the Pirates
Fri: home against the Pirates
Sat: home against the Pirates
Sun: home against the Pirates

In the Bay Area, sharing is caring. This philosophy was perhaps best expressed by Oakland’s own Luniz in their 1995 opus, “I Got 5 On It” in which they declared their ability and willingness to contribute some sums of money to the acquisition and consumption of Cannabis Sativa. A feeling of community, after all, is strengthened when "fools all kick in like Shinobi." However, there are those who desire nothing more than to destroy communal bonds. Again, the Luniz remarked upon this in their lesser known, but more significant, song "Playa Hata." Hating is the enemy of sharing, and so the Luniz asked, "Why you wanna playa hate on me?!" Why, indeed.

*****

There are about six weeks left in the regular season and there are 15 teams who have some chance to make it to the post-season. The Giants are not one of them. In fact, if the MLB were like the EPL, the Giants would be staring at relegation to Triple-A. If that were the case, at least the Giants would have something to play for. I mean, this season is done and there’s nothing to play for, right?

Wrong.

Boston and Pittsburgh come to town this week. Both are in first place in their respective divisions and both are barely hanging onto their perch with 1-game leads. Both Boston and Pittsburgh are 3-7 in their last 10 games and so both are desperate to get wins to secure their first place status.

And that’s where the Giants come in. From here on out, spoiling is what the Giants play for. It may not be the proudest tradition in sports, but it is a tradition, nonetheless. When a team has no chance at the post-season, that team has a solemn duty to play all play-off contending teams like it’s Game 7 of the World Series. When you’re a pauper, you want nothing more than to stick out your leg and watch the prince trip and fall.

Tampa Bay is breathing down Boston's neck, and Baltimore isn't too far behind. The Rays are kinda like the Oakland A's in that they're near the very bottom in payroll and yet manage to hang with the big boys in the AL East. Any team that stares down the Yankees and Red Sox are A-OK in my book, even if they do play in that dreaded town. Also, of the six Red Sox fans I know, four of them became Saaaawks fans after they moved to Boston for school. That kind of fan base ain't right.

Pittsburgh is going to be a little harder to root against. The Pirates have had two decades of utter embarrassment, and this just might be their year. Plus it's the Cardinals and the Reds chasing them, and screw those two teams. Nevertheless, the Pirates come to town in first place and so they must be messed with.

Today is opening day of Haterball. The Giants’ answer to the Luniz’ question is “because screw you, that’s why.” Hate hard, gentlemen.