San Francisco ? Barry Bonds believes it is wrong to judge a baseball team in July.

“You cut off your tongue by talking too soon,” he said.

Still, the San Francisco slugger isn’t afraid to say he is pleased with what he sees from the defending National League champions after the season’s first half.

The Giants (57-37) led the NL West from day one, escaped major injury for the most part and have adapted just fine to first-year manager Felipe Alou and his slightly more aggressive nature on the basepaths.

The Giants lead Arizona by five games in the division after an offseason overhaul that sent manager Dusty Baker, former MVP Jeff Kent, starters Russ Ortiz and Livan Hernandez, and key contributors David Bell, Reggie Sanders and Kenny Lofton packing.

“We’re winning and playing good baseball,” said Bonds, who turns 39 July 24. “You don’t know what to expect (with a new team and manager). Our young pitchers are doing a great job and to be doing so well with young pitchers is good.”