Uh ... see what I'm talking about?

11 runs to the lowly Reds. 11 runs to a team that has lost 5 consecutive games. Think this team needs some pitching or what?

Yes, Kershaw had his first good start of the year Sunday against the Giants and, with Manny's help, they were able to eke out a heroic, dramatic victory to get to .500 at 6-6. But, without pitching, you can't really have much of a winning streak. If I'm Ned Colletti, I'm having a talk with Joe Torre about the possibility of sending Chad Billingsley down for a month or two to try to work out his many issues. Otherwise, I'm looking to move him while someone, anyone, thinks he still may be worth something. I think he's god awful. Their bullpen continues to stink, and I'm not sure how much Hong Chih Kuo can singlehandedly fix things. They've said good-bye to one Ortiz already. Now it may be time to say adios to the other one.

They just don't have enough arms to truly compete. And, not to impugn their amazing hitting outfield, and, at least to begin the season, their entire lineup, but against top flight starters, they're not looking too good. Tim Lincecum made crap out of them on Saturday. Dan Haren pitched very effectively against them but his bullpen blew it for him in the late innings. Barry Zito completely shut them down. Even Zack Duke silenced them for the most part. They say good pitching beats good hitting all the time but when your ptching sucks, your good hitters better start being effective against the aces as well as the middle rotation guys.

Back to Lincecum and Saturday. After destroying Todd Wellemeyer Friday Night, Torre decide to raise the white flag against the Cy Young Award winning waif, Tim Lincecum on a Nationally televised Saturday afternoon game. He went with their #5 starter, knuckleballer, Charlie Haeger who's knuckler wasn't knuckling and he got shelled. On top of that, outside of Kemp and Ethier, he started his B team. I don't care about this day game after a night game crap, he basically conceded the game to the Giants and their ace so as not to demoralize his hitters. Winning teams play their veterans in day games following night games. And THAT'S why I don't like Joe Torre's managing style. You don't do that to the fans or to the game. The idea is to try to win, not to give up before the first pitch is even thrown. I think, and always have thought, that nice guy Joe is too soft. Or, could it be that Joe was sending a message to Frank McCourt sitting in the owner's box? A message like, "This is what you've given me, so this is what you're gonna get."??? That's the only reasonable excuse I can think of for Torre to all but purposely give a game away.

Anyway, look for a possible move with Billingsley. They need to acquire starting pitching or this season may well be over in June.