May 1, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (9) celebrates with center fielder Andres Torres (56) after hitting a 3 run home run in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona slugger Paul Goldschmidt has become quite the nemesis of both Tim Lincecum and Giant fans alike. In 33 career games against the orange and black, Goldschmidt has an eye-popping 24 RBI’s to go along with 7 round trippers, all of that on top of a .297 average. It’s three more homeruns and five more RBI than he has against any team (that other team being the Colorado Rockies) and those two numbers are nothing close to the 4 home runs and 13 RBI he has against the San Diego Padres, whom he holds his third best career numbers against.

Clearly, Giant fans have good reason to despise Goldschmidt on the diamond, but fans of Arizona might be catching similar feelings for the Giants’ Brandon Belt. Brandon Belt? Yes, Brandon Belt.

Despite what many would consider a slow start to his career, Belt has punished the Diamondbacks. After going 5 of 26 with zero RBI’s during his yo-yo shortened 2011 season, Belt has went 22 of 64 against the Snakes, good for a .343 average. In addition, he’s added 17 RBI along with 4 homers in those 20 games. Needless to say, while Goldschmidt might be a thorn in the side of Giant fans, Belt is quickly earning that same reputation in the NL West desert.

Apr 11, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (9) makes a play against the Chicago Cubs in the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Huh. Seems like you just got out of this place, yet, you’re back.

Is it the slumpy shoulders again?

Whatever the case, Brandon Belt just can’t catch a break. The Giants’ first baseman found himself on the bench yesterday afternoon in favor of utility man Joaquin Arias, but Manager Bruce Bochy wanted to make one thing clear – this wasn’t a benching:

“This isn’t a case where he’s getting benched,” Bochy said of Belt. “But we need to get Arias out there. [Belt] might miss a couple of games.”

Sure, Boch. Sure. And that timeout my second grade teacher gave me timeout for putting glue down that one kids shirt wasn’t really a timeout, either.

Yes, there were some things playing into Bochy’s favor – like the upcoming stretch of games against left handed starters and Arias not really seeing the field much, but Belt has been nothing short of awful to start the season – this after absolutely destroying anything thrown within a five foot radius during Spring Training.

So is it a benching? Has his .183 average irritated Bochy enough to play yo-yo with the 25 year old Texas native, plastering pictures of Brett Pill‘s ghost around the Nacogdoches natives locker? I certainly hope not, though, Belt was given the *insert scary music* “talk” by Bochy prior to the game:

Bochy said he and Belt spoke privately before Sunday’s game about “a couple of things, between Brandon and I.”

Belt’s not been an easy case to unlock. After finally coming around and putting up solid numbers last year, this after being yanked around in 2011, Belt appears to be pressing – knowing that if an extended slump hit him, he may find himself riding the U.S.S. Pine, and apparently, welcome aboard.

There aren’t any legit options for the Giants at first in the minors, despite some fans infatuation with Brett Pill. This is something that has to work for the Giants and Belt so playing games with Belt might not be the route the Giant brass needs to go. Now, I’m not saying that’s what they’re doing – but – doing so wouldn’t be in anybody’s best interest as we learned in 2011.

Give him a few days rest if you must, but let the kid play out of his funk.