In the past seven games since the end of the All-Star break, the Giants have seen three games against one of the worst teams in baseball (Houston Astros), three against one of the best teams in the National League (Atlanta Braves) and a  game matching up to a team filled with talent, yet sitting in last place in the NL East (Phillies). Here are some thoughts on everything going on:

– According to Alex Pavlovic, Aubrey Huff is being sent to San Francisco for an MRI on his right leg after he felt some soreness in a rehab assignment during last night’s Fresno Grizzlies game.

Part of me wants to be happy (more AB’s for Belt!), but the other half just feels sorry for Huff. He was one of the biggest parts of the Giants winning the World Series in 2010, it’s hard for me to see him go through with such struggles this year. Overall, I realistically believe he would instantly upgrade our bench if he were fully healthy, so get well soon Huff.

– Nate Shierholtz wants more playing time. I get that. He has been mistreated more than Brandon Belt, and yet, most Giants fans don’t seem to care much about him. Take a look at the Giants outfield: Melky Cabrera in left, Angel Pagan in center (he is in a terrible slump, by the way) and Gregor Blanco in right (who, despite the 16 steals, is also slumping pretty hard). Shierholtz needs a solid opportunity for once.

Last night he pretty much did that. A solid 1-for-3 night with a walk and two runs, Shierholtz looks like he is working hard to prove the shot at starter.

– So Brandon Crawford‘s bat seems to be lighting up, yeah? Weird.

In all serious thought, I find it fascinating to watch a guy like Crawford put on such a display of power and clutchness (not to mention a sweet play on defense), when he hit only his third home run this season (out of only six in his career).

On this road trip thus far (four games), Crawford has hit .385 with an on-base percentage of .467 (five for 13 with two walks). Not to mention his two home runs, four runs and eight RBI. Pretty good stuff for a shortstop.

– Tim Lincecum‘s last two starts have been everything Giants fans have waited to see. After a painful first half of the season with a few wins and an ERA over six, Lincecum has pitched 15 innings, allowing 10 hits, three walks, two runs and 17 strikeouts. Sure one of those games was at home and against the Astros, but hey, its a start.

His ERA is now 5.72 after lowering it nearly .70 points since the All-star break. If he can get sub five by the middle of August, that’s all we can hope for.

– Just to make note of it, the Giants are on a hot streak. Sure not as hot as the Oakland A’s, but still winning the first six of seven including a road trip to the east coast is a hot streak for me. The Giants are averaging 6.75 runs per game on this road trip, all while maintaining a 2.25 ERA.

– Matt Cain will start tomorrow against the Phillies’ Cole Hamels. Both of these guys have been on top of the NL pitching, so I’m excited to see how that game will end up. I am not excited to have to work during the game, but I am sure I will be peeking at my phone quite frequently.

Go Giants.