2-1 win in SD
The Giants beat the Padres--that's right, the Giants beat the Padres--behind an impressive Jeff Samardzija who had a season-high nine strikeouts in his seven shutout innings. Derek Law gave up a homer in the 8th but Will Smith and Sergio Romo got the final five outs. Romo gets his second save in three days. It is nice to see him finally look like the Romo of old. The Giants needed everyone to scratch out a win: a slump-busting double from Joe Panik, a Kelby Tomlinson pinch-single, a blooper from Angel Pagan, a liner from Hunter Pence, a great stop at third by Eduardo Nuñez, another base runner thrown out by Buster Posey, and etc. You know, teamwork!
Nine games to go: still tied with the Mets and a half-game up on the idle Cardinals. Albert Suarez tonight, Madison Bumgarner tomorrow. It's possible that Ty Blach will take Johnny Cueto's start on Sunday.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
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From MLBTR:
"Second-half bullpen struggles have the Giants kicking themselves for not making a stronger push for Mark Melancon, Heyman reports. The Giants felt their offer was comparable to that of the Nationals, but Pittsburgh ultimately traded Melancon to D.C. in exchange for left-hander Felipe Rivero and minor league lefty Taylor Hearn. While the Giants made a run at Andrew Miller, as well, the Yankees asked for Joe Panik in exchange, which the Giants understandably found to be too steep an ask. GM Bobby Evans lamented not adding another established reliever to Heyman, and it seems likely that they’ll be in the mix for the top bullpen options this winter (Chapman, Kenley Jansen, Melancon)."
I'm glad they didn't trade Panik despite his struggles. And Kenley Jansen is pretty damn good. I'm still squeamish about Chapman. That domestic violence stuff makes me ill. But that's all grist for the off-season mill. Still got nine more games to play!
Baseball-Reference has the Giants with 30 Blown Saves in 71 Save Opportunities, while ESPN has 29 BLSV in 70 SVO. Any way we slice it, that's the highest total of BLSV in MLB. Sure, COL, MIN, and CIN have a Team Save percentage lower than the Giants' 58.57%. But it ain't 'xactly like they're contending for the playoffs.
Damn, these last NINE games feel like they're important. My calculations say we could have only about $15M to spend *IF* the CBT/Luxury Tax threshold gets set at $200M for next season. Not much certainty in the bullpen, not much certainty in our bench. We've already shifted any salary relief from guys like Affeldt and Lincecum leaving- and even this winter's guys like Peavy, Pagan, Romo, Casilla, and Lopez. Sure it's more than $45M off the books, but it's mostly already accounted for in new guys and escalating salaries. Damn.
At least the Giants won last night. Fox had Joe Buck in an alternate universe, broadcasting the G-Men LOSING to the Padres last night. Welp.
I dunno what outcome from this 2016 season would motivate the Giants massive ownership group to spend more, do everything possible to build better. Or else? Soon we'll be full up with 30-34 year old players sliding from their peak years and costing a heck-ton of money. I'll hope for the "even year" thing to happen. Yeah.
Cheers. Dream big...
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