New article from Brian McTaggart sees Berkman talking a whole bunch of noise, in anticipation of his debut tonight:
"I'm going to tell you right now: If we keep getting the starting pitching we've gotten to this point in the season, we'll make the playoffs."
Carlos Lee:
"Lance is a big part of the lineup and the team, and to get him back is going to create more offense. We need it right now. We need to pick it up. Lance is a guy that is capable of getting on base a lot and doing a lot of damage. We hope he can come back quick and be ready to go."
Berkman, on his impact, and why Hunter Pence wasn't able to handle the #3-spot:
"It's hard to say what the impact will be, but let's face it, we've faced some of the game's best [pitchers] right out of the chute. I don't care who you stick up there against [Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Roy Halladay and Adam Wainwright], you're going to struggle. They're just so good. But I do think me being there [will be beneficial] just because I think it makes guys hit where they should in the lineup.
"Whether they're comfortable or not, asking guys to hit third that haven't done it before or consistently, it's a tall task. That's a tough assignment, and it takes some getting used to. That's not a position you can roll somebody in there. If they can put me in there and I'm able to hit there, that takes pressure off of other guys, just for the fact they're back in spots in the lineup they're more comfortable."
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
