SF 6 TB 4
The Giants scored SIX runs this afternoon in San Francisco and defeated the hot Tampa Bay Rays for their first win at Oracle Park. A stinky start by Jeff Samardzija (4-2/3 IP, 6 H, 3 R, and most regrettably giving up the lead in the 5th) couldn't spoil the fun. First- and second-place hitters Steven Duggar and Brandon Belt (3 H, 2 R and all six RBI) brought the big bats (Belt HR, Duggar 2B) and got some help at the bottom of the lineup from Joe Panik (2 BB, 2 R), Kevin Pillar (1 H, 1 R) and pinch-hitter Connor Joe (1 H, 1 R). The bullpen delivered 4-1/3 IP and yielded only one run.
FNG Pillar had a bunt hit and stolen base in the 3rd that led to a run and he made a dandy play in the field later to save at least a run. I thought it was interesting that the Giants bunted twice successfully in the 3rd, with Samardzija bunting Pillar to third base (he scored on Duggar's sac fly). In the 5th, with two on, Duggar faked a bunt and that brought in the defense and he wound up ripping a double past the first baseman. Was that a bit of game theory maneuvering from the skipper? Regardless, it was fun. Let's see if they can keep it up.
Drew Pomeranz tomorrow afternoon. Go Giants!
--M.C.
4 comments:
Krukow had a rant on the post-game show about the non-traditional pitcher use that the Rays employ (the so-called "opener" strategy). His main complaint was that the guy "couldn't get a win" and the "best he could do was a no-decision." He felt it was "unfair" to put a pitcher in "that position." Well, the TEAM winning games is more important than individual stats! I suspect most pitchers want to win and be part of a winning team and any chance they get to pitch and help the team they will jump on. Kuiper had the good sense to point out that the Rays WON 90 GAMES last season. So, it works for them, at least.
Regardless, the Giants got a big win and have a chance to take the series.
I wonder if MK has confused the Rays’ strategy, having a bullpen pitcher start the game, with the Rockies’ strategy of some years ago. The Rockies put their starter on a pitch limit or innings limit or batters-faced limit, I don’t remember which, that meant he was unable to get a win, for lack of completing five innings. Starters, who expected to have their value in large part determined by W-L records, were unhappy with this policy; and with good reason. But I very much doubt that W-L records play a big part in determining bullpen pitchers’ paychecks. If I am right about that, the Rays are not being unfair to their openers, who can be judged in accord with the same metrics that they’d have if they entered the game in the sixth or seventh, as they traditionally would.
The players are getting burned in arbitration which often relies on outmoded metrics like saves, W-L records, etc. (That's on the players, though, to negotiate a better deal with the owners. Like, for example, getting rid of arbitration!) Krukow, besides being a bit stuck in the past, is indeed sensitive to some of the veteran pitchers who have seen their values on the open market decline precipitously. I'll give him credit for that. But it is stupid to criticize a winning strategy when the team you broadcast for has the worst record in the league over the last few years.
I'm not sentimental about baseball, in general, unlike a lot of fans and particularly broadcasters and former players. I don't have much patience for "the good old days" and all that tripe. I like the changes and the evolution of the game. Things go up and down and come and go and that's OK. There is no 'One True Way' to play the game.
I would like to understand what the theoretical advantage of a starter is. I honestly can't figure bit out.
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