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Leading Off: Does Zito's fizzle keep Sabathia's sizzle away?

Published: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008 | Page 1C

C.C. Sabathia did it again Monday night. He aggravated Astros hitters to earn his eighth win in nine starts with the Brewers.

The Vallejo native should be in the conversation for the National League Cy Young Award, even if he was acquired in early July.

Just as his fastball has hitters baffled, general managers are just as befuddled where he will pitch next season. Because Sabathia, 28, is a dominating left-hander in his prime, he will command a ransom in free agency this offseason. For that much loot, the suspects are the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Cubs and Dodgers.

It would be great to see Sabathia come home to be a Giant (sorry, the A's would never spend that much). There's one reason that won't happen: Barry Zito.

Zito has been such a big-money bust that it would be hard to believe that the Giants would spend nine figures on another free-agent pitcher. It's too bad. Sabathia has the pitches that sustain a career, whereas Zito lives on off-speed stuff.

Besides, the Giants will first reward studs Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. Yet Sabathia could take pressure off them and allow both to develop.

That won't happen because Zito squandered his ransom.

What to do

Marlins at Giants, 7:15 p.m., AT&T Park. Speaking of Cain, watch him against the fading Marlins.

What to surf

raisingmattcain.blogspot. com. One of the more enjoyable Giants fan blogs is named after Cain. What to watch

Hard knocks: Training camp with the Dallas Cowboys, 10 p.m., HBO. This is the best original series on HBO since "The Sopranos."

Tuesday's results

American League • Twins 13, A'S 2 • Red Sox 7, Orioles 2 • Indians 9, Royals 4 • Blue Jays 2, Yankees 1 • Rays 4, Angels 2 • Tigers 11, Rangers 3 • White Sox 5, Mariners 0

National League • Marlins 6, GIANTS 0 • Mets 7, Braves 3 • Cubs 5, Reds 0 • Astros 5, Brewers 2 • Pirates 4, Cardinals 1 • D-backs 7, Padres 6 • Rockies 8, Dodgers 3

Today's poll

Has Giants pitcher Barry Zito turned the corner (5-5 since June 25) • Yes. • No. To vote, go to www.sacbee.com/sports.

Weekend poll results

Who would you like to see Oscar De La Hoya face in his final fight on Dec. 6? • Sergio Mora. 3 percent. • Antonio Margarito. 12 percent. • Shane Mosley. 18 percent. • F. Mayweather Jr. 53 percent. • Felix Trinidad. 15 percent. Total votes: 34

The last word

What you're saying on the sacbee.com comments:

• "When you have 3 QBs, you really have none. Pick one and live with it."– hound51 on "O'Sullivan to start at QB for 49ers Thursday"

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