7-5 loss in SF
It keeps getting worse. Well, Brandon Belt returned to life with a big game. But that was bad. Real bad. I was sure Jake Peavy was going to keep the ball away from Jay Bruce, but he inexplicably grooved one on 3-1 count in the 6th and that did it. What was that all about? I don't understand. You can't groove one to a guy like that--hell, you can't throw meatballs like that to any ML hitter. What happened to corners? I suppose this improves the odds that the Giants will make a move. 1-8 since the Break, time to turn it around.
Matt Cain tonight. Go Giants!
--M.C.
p.s. As much as the Giants could use a live arm I'm glad the Cubs sold their franchise soul (and farm system) for Chapman.
Showing posts with label Jake Peavy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jake Peavy. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Friday, June 24, 2016
Giants Pull Out Another One
5-4 win at home
It only took 22 pitches from closer Santiago Casilla to get the final two outs. That was spread out over five batters, mind you. And the final out required a replay review (he was clearly out). This was after a three-reliever 8th in which seven batters saw 31 pitches and scored two runs to make a 5-2 game into a 5-4 nail-biter. Just another ho-hum Giants squeaker. Brandon Belt gets the hitting star honors with a 3-run double in the 7th to overcome a 2-1 deficit--it was a home run anywhere but San Francisco. That man is hitting the cover off the ball: his current line is .305/.410/.537 which is good for a .947 OPS and third-best among first basemen behind only Anthony Rizzo and Paul Goldschmidt. (His 2.2 WAR ties him for fourth-best with Miguel Cabrera.)
Jake Peavy had another solid effort on the hill. When a team can get that kind of performance from the bottom end of the rotation that's very encouraging. The lads trailed most of the game but staged a four-run rally off the Phillies bullpen to win it. That's 12 of the last 14 and 15 of 21 in the month of June. Giants have 48 wins, tied for the most in the majors.
Madison Bumgarner tomorrow night.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
p.s. Giants are 31-9 in their last 40 games, their best stretch of 40 games since 1954.
It only took 22 pitches from closer Santiago Casilla to get the final two outs. That was spread out over five batters, mind you. And the final out required a replay review (he was clearly out). This was after a three-reliever 8th in which seven batters saw 31 pitches and scored two runs to make a 5-2 game into a 5-4 nail-biter. Just another ho-hum Giants squeaker. Brandon Belt gets the hitting star honors with a 3-run double in the 7th to overcome a 2-1 deficit--it was a home run anywhere but San Francisco. That man is hitting the cover off the ball: his current line is .305/.410/.537 which is good for a .947 OPS and third-best among first basemen behind only Anthony Rizzo and Paul Goldschmidt. (His 2.2 WAR ties him for fourth-best with Miguel Cabrera.)
Jake Peavy had another solid effort on the hill. When a team can get that kind of performance from the bottom end of the rotation that's very encouraging. The lads trailed most of the game but staged a four-run rally off the Phillies bullpen to win it. That's 12 of the last 14 and 15 of 21 in the month of June. Giants have 48 wins, tied for the most in the majors.
Madison Bumgarner tomorrow night.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
p.s. Giants are 31-9 in their last 40 games, their best stretch of 40 games since 1954.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Peavy, Belt Lead Giants
2-1 win at home
Dodgers young southpaw Julio Urias showed some impressive stuff (7 K) in his 5-1/3 but he also gave up a two-run homer to Giants lefty stud Brandon Belt and that was the difference in the game. Giants take the finale and get two of three from the Dodgers over the weekend series, losing only to a Clayton Kershaw start. Pretty impressive for a banged up lineup and a shaky bullpen, wouldn't you say?
Starter Jake Peavy had arguably his second-best outing of the season and he could not have timed it better. Giants improve to 5-5 for the month of June and serve notice that they shan't be swooning any time soon. At least that's what we hope. Notable today was the homer yielded by Hunter Strickland to make a 2-0 game 2-1 in the 7th, but he finished the inning without another blemish. That's his first long ball allowed for 2016. We had a Felipean 8th, with three relievers (Kontos-Osich-Gearrin) needed for the three outs, but they kept it together, and Lopez and Casilla had a blemish-free 9th and that was that. Also notable was Peavy's diving attempt at a putout at first base on a grounder to the right side in the 6th. Utley was safe, but it was a damn impressive effort, especially for an old fart. Way to give your all for the team, man.
Matt Cain goes tomorrow.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Dodgers young southpaw Julio Urias showed some impressive stuff (7 K) in his 5-1/3 but he also gave up a two-run homer to Giants lefty stud Brandon Belt and that was the difference in the game. Giants take the finale and get two of three from the Dodgers over the weekend series, losing only to a Clayton Kershaw start. Pretty impressive for a banged up lineup and a shaky bullpen, wouldn't you say?
Starter Jake Peavy had arguably his second-best outing of the season and he could not have timed it better. Giants improve to 5-5 for the month of June and serve notice that they shan't be swooning any time soon. At least that's what we hope. Notable today was the homer yielded by Hunter Strickland to make a 2-0 game 2-1 in the 7th, but he finished the inning without another blemish. That's his first long ball allowed for 2016. We had a Felipean 8th, with three relievers (Kontos-Osich-Gearrin) needed for the three outs, but they kept it together, and Lopez and Casilla had a blemish-free 9th and that was that. Also notable was Peavy's diving attempt at a putout at first base on a grounder to the right side in the 6th. Utley was safe, but it was a damn impressive effort, especially for an old fart. Way to give your all for the team, man.
Matt Cain goes tomorrow.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
3rd inning: 15-3
4-0 win in Atlanta
Jake Peavy celebrated his 35th birthday with a major heaping of Veteran Savvy Clutchness, throwing seven scoreless innings of one-hit baseball. Not to mention showing even more VSC with a clutch hit and savvy baserunning in the 6th to score the only run that mattered. The Giants eked and squeaked and finally got a breakthrough in the 8th to make a 1-0 contest a no-contest. But the story was Jake Peavy having his best outing (by Game Score) since August 30th, 2014. Sure, it's the Braves. They've only won FIVE games at home this year. But good news and positive developments are always welcome. If the Giants can get adequate 4th/5th starter stuff from Jake Peavy that's a boon for the ballclub. Oh, and Denard Span had another great game.
1st inning: 8-10
2nd inning: 10-8
3rd inning: 15-3
Giants go 21-8 in May after a 12-13 April. I do believe the 15-3 seasonal inning is the best since I've started keeping track. I'm too tired to double-check that, but I will, though! We've got journalistic standards to uphold around here. Regardless, it's a ridiculous inning.
Albert Suarez gets his shot to start tomorrow.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Jake Peavy celebrated his 35th birthday with a major heaping of Veteran Savvy Clutchness, throwing seven scoreless innings of one-hit baseball. Not to mention showing even more VSC with a clutch hit and savvy baserunning in the 6th to score the only run that mattered. The Giants eked and squeaked and finally got a breakthrough in the 8th to make a 1-0 contest a no-contest. But the story was Jake Peavy having his best outing (by Game Score) since August 30th, 2014. Sure, it's the Braves. They've only won FIVE games at home this year. But good news and positive developments are always welcome. If the Giants can get adequate 4th/5th starter stuff from Jake Peavy that's a boon for the ballclub. Oh, and Denard Span had another great game.
1st inning: 8-10
2nd inning: 10-8
3rd inning: 15-3
Giants go 21-8 in May after a 12-13 April. I do believe the 15-3 seasonal inning is the best since I've started keeping track. I'm too tired to double-check that, but I will, though! We've got journalistic standards to uphold around here. Regardless, it's a ridiculous inning.
Albert Suarez gets his shot to start tomorrow.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Peavy Looks Great, Giants Win Late
4-3 win (10) in SF
Josh Osich gave up a two-run homer in the 8th to turn a 3-1 lead into a 3-3 tie but the Giants hung on to win in the 10th and get their thirtieth win. As BroB writes below, Sergio Romo is rehabbing nicely. Perhaps we can say the same about Jake Peavy. "Rehabbing nicely", that is. On his way to cromulence! And all hail Brandon Crawford's clutchness.
Travel day tomorrow. Matt Cain in Colorado Friday.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Josh Osich gave up a two-run homer in the 8th to turn a 3-1 lead into a 3-3 tie but the Giants hung on to win in the 10th and get their thirtieth win. As BroB writes below, Sergio Romo is rehabbing nicely. Perhaps we can say the same about Jake Peavy. "Rehabbing nicely", that is. On his way to cromulence! And all hail Brandon Crawford's clutchness.
Travel day tomorrow. Matt Cain in Colorado Friday.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Five in a Row
5-3 win Sat in AZ
& 2-1 win today
The Giants get some payback against the Diamondbacks and even up the season series with a sweet four-game sweep in the desert: 4-2, 3-1, 5-3, and 2-1. That's some Giants baseball right there! Check out the staters' run: MB 6-2/3, 1R; JC 7, 2R, JS 8, 1R; JP 6, 1R; MC 7, 1R. That's right, the team just got 13 IP and 2 R--and two team wins--from the bottom end the ro', the struggling former studs Jake Peavy and Matt Cain. Both pitched well enough to win, which is just what happened. The Giants relied once again on their superb fielding to back the solid pitching. The bullpen is still shaky (get well soon George Kontos), but five wins in a row is tonic enough for that. Since the 17-run disaster against the Rockies ten days ago, Giants pitchers have allowed 25 runs in the ten games since. The team went 7-3, the three losses were 2-0, 3-1, and 4-0. It took two shutouts and an epic hitting funk otherwise the Giants could have done even better! It's particularly satisfying to see both Peavy and Cain get good results. Let's hope they keep it going.
Big hits were also the theme in Arizona. Chase Field is supposed to be a hitter-friendly park and the Giants needed to counter their GIDP-fetish with some long balls. Joe Panik was the Big Stick against Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller both, earning MuscleMan Honors for the series. Way to go, Joe! Hunter Pence got his 200th career bomb off Patrick Corbin in the next game, and Trevor Brown launched one today off Rubby De La Rosa. The GI- portion of GIDP is pretty specific about ground balls, seems like fly balls are the necessary palliative. At least in homer-friendly parks!
Giants have a travel day tomorrow for a three-game set in San Diego. After that they are home for a weekend series with the high-flying Chicago Cubs.
--M.C.
& 2-1 win today
The Giants get some payback against the Diamondbacks and even up the season series with a sweet four-game sweep in the desert: 4-2, 3-1, 5-3, and 2-1. That's some Giants baseball right there! Check out the staters' run: MB 6-2/3, 1R; JC 7, 2R, JS 8, 1R; JP 6, 1R; MC 7, 1R. That's right, the team just got 13 IP and 2 R--and two team wins--from the bottom end the ro', the struggling former studs Jake Peavy and Matt Cain. Both pitched well enough to win, which is just what happened. The Giants relied once again on their superb fielding to back the solid pitching. The bullpen is still shaky (get well soon George Kontos), but five wins in a row is tonic enough for that. Since the 17-run disaster against the Rockies ten days ago, Giants pitchers have allowed 25 runs in the ten games since. The team went 7-3, the three losses were 2-0, 3-1, and 4-0. It took two shutouts and an epic hitting funk otherwise the Giants could have done even better! It's particularly satisfying to see both Peavy and Cain get good results. Let's hope they keep it going.
Big hits were also the theme in Arizona. Chase Field is supposed to be a hitter-friendly park and the Giants needed to counter their GIDP-fetish with some long balls. Joe Panik was the Big Stick against Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller both, earning MuscleMan Honors for the series. Way to go, Joe! Hunter Pence got his 200th career bomb off Patrick Corbin in the next game, and Trevor Brown launched one today off Rubby De La Rosa. The GI- portion of GIDP is pretty specific about ground balls, seems like fly balls are the necessary palliative. At least in homer-friendly parks!
Giants have a travel day tomorrow for a three-game set in San Diego. After that they are home for a weekend series with the high-flying Chicago Cubs.
--M.C.
Friday, May 6, 2016
Ugh
17-7 loss in SF
When I was hoping this Giants team would make history this season the 12- and 13-run innings were not what I had in mind. The Rockies had their highest-scoring inning ever last night; you may recall the Mets had their highest-scoring inning ever just short of a week ago. That's 25 runs in two frames which is about 1/6 of the team total in runs allowed (153) for the year so far. Matt Cain was the starter last night, Jake Peavy was the starter in New York. Both guys are pitching about as poorly as it is possible to pitch. Matty's line is 44 hits (including 6 HR) in 31 innings with 29 runs scored. There's no way to make that pretty. He's had one good start--his first--in six chances. Peavy's line is scarily similar, 47 hits (including 6 HR) in 29 innings with 29 runs scored. He's had one good start in six chances.
Well, god bless him, that's why I love Bochy. Mr. Positive. I don't know how long the team can afford to have two starters that are among the worst in all of baseball. If you sort by FIP you might be surprised to see that there are A LOT of guys worse--Shelby Miller, Jorge de la Rosa, Jon Niese, Doug Fister, Colby Lewis, just to name a few. Peavy is still striking guys out and Cain has kept his walks down, I imagine those help a bit. Cain is rated at -0.1 fWAR while Peavy is 0.0, the worst is the aforementioned Miller at -0.5, the best being of course Kershaw at 1.9. Sorting by xFIP Cain's 4.98 puts him at 14th-worst (of all 142 pitchers with min. 20 IP) and Peavy's 4.74 makes him 27th-worst.
So it there light at the end of the tunnel? I can hear the distant clamor of "Timmy, Timmy, Timmy" growing slowly as we get closer and closer to the much-hyped showcase (supposedly today). Alas, I don't think the Giants are making any moves soon. They're our guys and we are sticking with them!
MadBum tonight. GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
When I was hoping this Giants team would make history this season the 12- and 13-run innings were not what I had in mind. The Rockies had their highest-scoring inning ever last night; you may recall the Mets had their highest-scoring inning ever just short of a week ago. That's 25 runs in two frames which is about 1/6 of the team total in runs allowed (153) for the year so far. Matt Cain was the starter last night, Jake Peavy was the starter in New York. Both guys are pitching about as poorly as it is possible to pitch. Matty's line is 44 hits (including 6 HR) in 31 innings with 29 runs scored. There's no way to make that pretty. He's had one good start--his first--in six chances. Peavy's line is scarily similar, 47 hits (including 6 HR) in 29 innings with 29 runs scored. He's had one good start in six chances.
"We're standing behind these guys," Bochy said of Cain and the struggling Jake Peavy. "These are guys who are capable of getting back on track. They have been around. They have the experience."
Well, god bless him, that's why I love Bochy. Mr. Positive. I don't know how long the team can afford to have two starters that are among the worst in all of baseball. If you sort by FIP you might be surprised to see that there are A LOT of guys worse--Shelby Miller, Jorge de la Rosa, Jon Niese, Doug Fister, Colby Lewis, just to name a few. Peavy is still striking guys out and Cain has kept his walks down, I imagine those help a bit. Cain is rated at -0.1 fWAR while Peavy is 0.0, the worst is the aforementioned Miller at -0.5, the best being of course Kershaw at 1.9. Sorting by xFIP Cain's 4.98 puts him at 14th-worst (of all 142 pitchers with min. 20 IP) and Peavy's 4.74 makes him 27th-worst.
So it there light at the end of the tunnel? I can hear the distant clamor of "Timmy, Timmy, Timmy" growing slowly as we get closer and closer to the much-hyped showcase (supposedly today). Alas, I don't think the Giants are making any moves soon. They're our guys and we are sticking with them!
MadBum tonight. GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Weekend Split
5-4 loss in SF
Jake Peavy pitched well and drove in two in yesterday's game to lead the team to a 7-2 win. Today Matt Cain, despite ten hits and four runs, showed some improvement over the last two starts. A misplay by Angel Pagan led to a run in the 6th and ultimately to Cain being pulled. A little luck in the 5th, maybe the Marlins don't get that run either, and it's a different start. As it was the Giants took Matty off the hook by tying the game only to lose it later. I'm hoping what we saw from Peavy on Saturday is what we are going to see soon from Cain. It's extended Spring Training, right? He's just not ready. Yet. Neither were the Giants, today. Many, too many, way too many blown chances this afternoon. Angel Pagan got thrown out at home in the 5th, and hit into a double play with the bases loaded in the 8th. A 1-2-3 double play which meant the tying run didn't score! If you need a goat, you could pick Angel. Miami was 0-7 with runners in scoring position, but had two big homers including the go-ahead blast in the 8th off Josh Osich. Dee Gordon got a chance to run wild, stealing two in the 3rd inning which led to a run. The third out of that inning came on a caught stealing (Christian Yelich).
A weird game. An unsatisfying game. It really felt like the Giants were going to win when they tied it in the 6th and again when they loaded the bases in the 8th. Ugh. Shoulda beena sweep.
MadBum takes on the Padres tomorrow night.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Jake Peavy pitched well and drove in two in yesterday's game to lead the team to a 7-2 win. Today Matt Cain, despite ten hits and four runs, showed some improvement over the last two starts. A misplay by Angel Pagan led to a run in the 6th and ultimately to Cain being pulled. A little luck in the 5th, maybe the Marlins don't get that run either, and it's a different start. As it was the Giants took Matty off the hook by tying the game only to lose it later. I'm hoping what we saw from Peavy on Saturday is what we are going to see soon from Cain. It's extended Spring Training, right? He's just not ready. Yet. Neither were the Giants, today. Many, too many, way too many blown chances this afternoon. Angel Pagan got thrown out at home in the 5th, and hit into a double play with the bases loaded in the 8th. A 1-2-3 double play which meant the tying run didn't score! If you need a goat, you could pick Angel. Miami was 0-7 with runners in scoring position, but had two big homers including the go-ahead blast in the 8th off Josh Osich. Dee Gordon got a chance to run wild, stealing two in the 3rd inning which led to a run. The third out of that inning came on a caught stealing (Christian Yelich).
A weird game. An unsatisfying game. It really felt like the Giants were going to win when they tied it in the 6th and again when they loaded the bases in the 8th. Ugh. Shoulda beena sweep.
MadBum takes on the Padres tomorrow night.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
One-run Win
Boxscore
The Giants are 19-28 in one-run contests this season. It seems out of character for a Bochy club. I've despatched my minions to do the research, if they fail to report back they'll be fired and get rotten recommendations. Anyway, the Giants clubbed their way to a win today with homers from Brandon Crawford and Marlon Byrd. Not to mention the fabulous inside-the-parker from Young Kelby. Tomlinson was asked to fill big shoes this year and he's done remarkably well. It's nice to have young, studly infielders. But this games-decided-by-one-run thing is troublesome. I know there's some flukiness involved, but does it tell us the 'pen was not up to snuff? Or that the starters didn't keep it close enough? Minions--get right on that or you're working Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving!
Jake Peavy finished his season well. He said the right things after the game. He believes he can be healthy for 2016, and we all know that would be a big help. Another big help would be Matt Cain doing the same; he gets the start tomorrow.
With their 84th win the Giants are guaranteed to finish with a better record than the Diamondbacks, Padres, Rockies, Brewers, Reds, Nationals, Marlins, Braves, Phillies, Orioles, Red Sox, Rays, Indians, White Sox, Tigers, Mariners, and Athletics. And possibly even the Twins. That's a whole bunch of teams. They finish September 14-13 for their third winning month joining May and July. They are 1-2 for October, a win tomorrow would even things up. I'd like to see them end it on an up note.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Giants are 19-28 in one-run contests this season. It seems out of character for a Bochy club. I've despatched my minions to do the research, if they fail to report back they'll be fired and get rotten recommendations. Anyway, the Giants clubbed their way to a win today with homers from Brandon Crawford and Marlon Byrd. Not to mention the fabulous inside-the-parker from Young Kelby. Tomlinson was asked to fill big shoes this year and he's done remarkably well. It's nice to have young, studly infielders. But this games-decided-by-one-run thing is troublesome. I know there's some flukiness involved, but does it tell us the 'pen was not up to snuff? Or that the starters didn't keep it close enough? Minions--get right on that or you're working Hallowe'en and Thanksgiving!
Jake Peavy finished his season well. He said the right things after the game. He believes he can be healthy for 2016, and we all know that would be a big help. Another big help would be Matt Cain doing the same; he gets the start tomorrow.
With their 84th win the Giants are guaranteed to finish with a better record than the Diamondbacks, Padres, Rockies, Brewers, Reds, Nationals, Marlins, Braves, Phillies, Orioles, Red Sox, Rays, Indians, White Sox, Tigers, Mariners, and Athletics. And possibly even the Twins. That's a whole bunch of teams. They finish September 14-13 for their third winning month joining May and July. They are 1-2 for October, a win tomorrow would even things up. I'd like to see them end it on an up note.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
TEN
That's the Giants Elimination Number for the NL West race. It also happens to be the Elimination Number for the NL Wild Card. The Giants are behind the Dodgers by 7-1/2 games and they are behind the Cubs by 7-1/2 games. San Francisco, at 77-69, has 16 games left on the schedule. Los Angeles and Chicago have identical 84-61 records and thus both have 17 games remaining. The Cubs still have a shot to overtake the 87-58 Pittsburgh Pirates for the top Wild Card spot but the situation for the Giants stays the same. Any combination of wins by the leading club and losses by the Giants that equals ten means the 2015 season is over.
The math, gloomy as it is, still represents a chance albeit a vanishingly small one. The MLB Postseason Probability tracker currently rates the Giants at 0.9% for the division title. Not much of a bet, eh? RMC's official position is "it ain't over 'til it's over" but that's the only position any self-respecting Giants fan can take, am I right?
Last night's exhilarating and agonizing win over the Reds got me thinking. Is Jake Peavy finally healthy enough to be a reliable starter? That home run was a nice bonus and a clutch hit to boot. The Giants are paying Peavy $15M to be a part of the 2016 rotation and his 2015 performance has not been encouraging. He'll be 35 in May and has 2200+ innings on his once-formidable arm. What can we expect next season? I'd like to pencil him in for 30 starts and 180+ IP, but is that realistic? If not, who takes his spot? I don't have the answers, but I like to think if he can stay healthy he can still be a productive player.
I'm also thinking about Santiago Casilla. It seems all of his saves lately have been both tortuous and torturous. He'll be 36 in July and I believe the club can buy him out for a million bucks this off-season and make him a free agent. Should they? Is it time to move one of the young bucks like Hunter Strickland into the closer role? I'm leaning that way, I admit. The Core Four is getting old and the remarkable run of consistency and high-level performance we've seen from these relievers is contrary to our usual experience. Most bullpen arms just don't last this long. Strikeouts are up this year with Casilla but walks and hits are as well. What's he got left? It's worth noting that 36-year old Jeremy Affeldt is a free agent next season after a injury-marred below-par campaign. Can you envision the Giants without the goofy lefty? Both of course are in the pantheon of all-time great Giants and I will never speak ill of them and always wish them the best in their careers. Speaking of one of my most beloved players, did you see AmyG talk to Andres Torres on the telecast last night? That 2010 year was so special and he was such a massive part of it I get teary-eyed whenever he shows up.
On the horizon for the home squad are three games with the Diamondbacks this weekend. Madison Bumgarner goes Friday night. Then it is six road games with San Diego and Oakland after an off-day Monday. The boys return home on the 28th with four against the Dodgers and finish the season with three against the Rockies. Nine games before LA comes to town--will they clinch before then? They have ten games to play in that stretch including three against the Pirates this weekend. If the Giants go 6-3 they'd have to go 7-3 to do just that. Is it just me or is it looking increasingly likely they will have to win in San Francisco to take the West? Could make for some great games, but could also be a hideous run-from-the-room and shield-the-eyes-of-the-innocent moment. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The math, gloomy as it is, still represents a chance albeit a vanishingly small one. The MLB Postseason Probability tracker currently rates the Giants at 0.9% for the division title. Not much of a bet, eh? RMC's official position is "it ain't over 'til it's over" but that's the only position any self-respecting Giants fan can take, am I right?
Last night's exhilarating and agonizing win over the Reds got me thinking. Is Jake Peavy finally healthy enough to be a reliable starter? That home run was a nice bonus and a clutch hit to boot. The Giants are paying Peavy $15M to be a part of the 2016 rotation and his 2015 performance has not been encouraging. He'll be 35 in May and has 2200+ innings on his once-formidable arm. What can we expect next season? I'd like to pencil him in for 30 starts and 180+ IP, but is that realistic? If not, who takes his spot? I don't have the answers, but I like to think if he can stay healthy he can still be a productive player.
I'm also thinking about Santiago Casilla. It seems all of his saves lately have been both tortuous and torturous. He'll be 36 in July and I believe the club can buy him out for a million bucks this off-season and make him a free agent. Should they? Is it time to move one of the young bucks like Hunter Strickland into the closer role? I'm leaning that way, I admit. The Core Four is getting old and the remarkable run of consistency and high-level performance we've seen from these relievers is contrary to our usual experience. Most bullpen arms just don't last this long. Strikeouts are up this year with Casilla but walks and hits are as well. What's he got left? It's worth noting that 36-year old Jeremy Affeldt is a free agent next season after a injury-marred below-par campaign. Can you envision the Giants without the goofy lefty? Both of course are in the pantheon of all-time great Giants and I will never speak ill of them and always wish them the best in their careers. Speaking of one of my most beloved players, did you see AmyG talk to Andres Torres on the telecast last night? That 2010 year was so special and he was such a massive part of it I get teary-eyed whenever he shows up.
On the horizon for the home squad are three games with the Diamondbacks this weekend. Madison Bumgarner goes Friday night. Then it is six road games with San Diego and Oakland after an off-day Monday. The boys return home on the 28th with four against the Dodgers and finish the season with three against the Rockies. Nine games before LA comes to town--will they clinch before then? They have ten games to play in that stretch including three against the Pirates this weekend. If the Giants go 6-3 they'd have to go 7-3 to do just that. Is it just me or is it looking increasingly likely they will have to win in San Francisco to take the West? Could make for some great games, but could also be a hideous run-from-the-room and shield-the-eyes-of-the-innocent moment. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Home Cookin'
Boxscore
The Giants thumped the Padres 9-1 behind a resurgent Jake Peavy and improved their home record to 39-27, a .591 pace. They've allowed 218 runs at AT&T Park in those 66 games, about 3.3 rpg, a whole run better than what they've done on the road (320/75). The Giants 3.82 overall is 6th in the majors which is better than teams like the Cubs and Royals. Here are the teams ahead of them: Cardinals, Dodgers, Astros, Pirates, Mets. Despite the lack of consistency in the starting staff (other than MadBum, of course) the Giants have played winning ball. Their run difference of +63 is the ninth-best, but their won-loss record is only the twelfth-best. This team is like an out-of-tune engine--you still get down the road OK but it's certainly not smooth sailing.
I was happy to see Peavy look sharp and get a good result. He's back with the team for 2016 and I know we'd all like to see more of the August/September 2014 Peavy who delivered 2 WAR in 12 starts. He has to be healthy, of course. I think much of the inconsistency we've seen is physical--I don't think he was 100% when he came off the DL and I doubt he's 100% now. But it was fun to watch him work quickly and efficiently. With the kind of fielders the Giants can put behind him and the pitcher-friendly park he should be a valuable guy to the team.
Matt Duffy continues to rake. What a shame that both Joe Panik and Brandon Crawford have missed time. With Brandon Belt and Buster Posey that's the best infield in the majors. Speaking of infielders, wasn't it nice to see Ehire Adrianza smoke a couple of clutch hits? Kelby Tomlinson may be the super-utility man of the future with his speed and Duffy-like stroke, but it's hard not to root for Adrianza.
FNG reliever Cory Gearrin got to show us his stuff, and boy does it look filthy. He's coming back from TJS. The Giants scooped him up as a free agent after he was let go by the Braves. Never hurts to have extra arms in the 'pen. And speaking of FNGs, did you see the moon shot Jarret Parker launched? Only in SF does that fail to go out! The young lefty has some pop--if he can cut down his strikeouts he could be a part of the OF rotation next year. He and Gary Brown were the team's first two picks in the 2010 June draft. Gregor Blanco, sadly, may be done for the season so the youngster has a real chance to impress.
Bumgarner goes today. Let's hope they stick with the winning recipe.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Giants thumped the Padres 9-1 behind a resurgent Jake Peavy and improved their home record to 39-27, a .591 pace. They've allowed 218 runs at AT&T Park in those 66 games, about 3.3 rpg, a whole run better than what they've done on the road (320/75). The Giants 3.82 overall is 6th in the majors which is better than teams like the Cubs and Royals. Here are the teams ahead of them: Cardinals, Dodgers, Astros, Pirates, Mets. Despite the lack of consistency in the starting staff (other than MadBum, of course) the Giants have played winning ball. Their run difference of +63 is the ninth-best, but their won-loss record is only the twelfth-best. This team is like an out-of-tune engine--you still get down the road OK but it's certainly not smooth sailing.
I was happy to see Peavy look sharp and get a good result. He's back with the team for 2016 and I know we'd all like to see more of the August/September 2014 Peavy who delivered 2 WAR in 12 starts. He has to be healthy, of course. I think much of the inconsistency we've seen is physical--I don't think he was 100% when he came off the DL and I doubt he's 100% now. But it was fun to watch him work quickly and efficiently. With the kind of fielders the Giants can put behind him and the pitcher-friendly park he should be a valuable guy to the team.
Matt Duffy continues to rake. What a shame that both Joe Panik and Brandon Crawford have missed time. With Brandon Belt and Buster Posey that's the best infield in the majors. Speaking of infielders, wasn't it nice to see Ehire Adrianza smoke a couple of clutch hits? Kelby Tomlinson may be the super-utility man of the future with his speed and Duffy-like stroke, but it's hard not to root for Adrianza.
FNG reliever Cory Gearrin got to show us his stuff, and boy does it look filthy. He's coming back from TJS. The Giants scooped him up as a free agent after he was let go by the Braves. Never hurts to have extra arms in the 'pen. And speaking of FNGs, did you see the moon shot Jarret Parker launched? Only in SF does that fail to go out! The young lefty has some pop--if he can cut down his strikeouts he could be a part of the OF rotation next year. He and Gary Brown were the team's first two picks in the 2010 June draft. Gregor Blanco, sadly, may be done for the season so the youngster has a real chance to impress.
Bumgarner goes today. Let's hope they stick with the winning recipe.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Seventy
Boxscore
On their eighth attempt the San Francisco Giants get their 70th win. With the shitty post-season math out there the losing streak seemed like it would never end. Tonight a patchwork lineup and Jake Peavy led the team to victory. Peavy got burned in the 6th again to spoil a strong start. After an impressive whiff of Carlos Gonzalez with a man on and one out he gave up a two-strike homer to Nolan Arenado to cut a 5-1 lead to 5-3. It wasn't a fat pitch, but it was on the black, and it seems like any strike the Giants throw that guy he crushes. The lads bounced back right away though and made it 7-3 and that's how it ended. Jake Peavy, amazingly, was a hitting star with two booming doubles, scoring on the first one and driving in a run with the second. Angel Pagan also had a good night with a homer--his first in over a year--and a double. Nick Noonan, playing first base for the first time ever, had an RBI double and walked with the bases loaded for another RBI. FNG Alejandro De Aza, starting in left field, had two hits and a run scored. Gregor Blanco had two hits including a solo homer and Matt Duffy had three hits and two runs batted in.
Andrew Susac was sent home to have his hand looked at and Hector Sanchez started behind the plate. He hurt himself running out a bunt and had to be replaced by Buster Posey. It's 40-man roster time and the Giants are down to one catcher. I've no idea who the Giants plan to bring up to fill the spot. Juan Perez warmed up Hunter Strickland in the bullpen--maybe he'll don the gear at some point in this crazy season!
Just keep winning, Giants.
--M.C.
On their eighth attempt the San Francisco Giants get their 70th win. With the shitty post-season math out there the losing streak seemed like it would never end. Tonight a patchwork lineup and Jake Peavy led the team to victory. Peavy got burned in the 6th again to spoil a strong start. After an impressive whiff of Carlos Gonzalez with a man on and one out he gave up a two-strike homer to Nolan Arenado to cut a 5-1 lead to 5-3. It wasn't a fat pitch, but it was on the black, and it seems like any strike the Giants throw that guy he crushes. The lads bounced back right away though and made it 7-3 and that's how it ended. Jake Peavy, amazingly, was a hitting star with two booming doubles, scoring on the first one and driving in a run with the second. Angel Pagan also had a good night with a homer--his first in over a year--and a double. Nick Noonan, playing first base for the first time ever, had an RBI double and walked with the bases loaded for another RBI. FNG Alejandro De Aza, starting in left field, had two hits and a run scored. Gregor Blanco had two hits including a solo homer and Matt Duffy had three hits and two runs batted in.
Andrew Susac was sent home to have his hand looked at and Hector Sanchez started behind the plate. He hurt himself running out a bunt and had to be replaced by Buster Posey. It's 40-man roster time and the Giants are down to one catcher. I've no idea who the Giants plan to bring up to fill the spot. Juan Perez warmed up Hunter Strickland in the bullpen--maybe he'll don the gear at some point in this crazy season!
Just keep winning, Giants.
--M.C.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
7th inning: 8-10
Boxscore
The Giants beat the Cubs tonight for the first time this season. Jake Peavy was gritty after a rocky 1st and might have made it through the 7th if Nori Aoki hadn't lost a ball in the lights. The team needed a win to keep pace with the Dodgers and a fine effort from the 'pen sealed the deal. Neither Brandon Crawford nor Gregor Blanco were available to play so the short-handed squad needed to step up. Let's hope both are back soon, this team is beat up enough.
The Giants 8-10 record in the 7th seasonal inning is in keeping with their up-an-down performance in 2015. Here's what we have:
1st inning: 7-11
2nd inning: 11-7
3rd inning: 12-6
4th inning: 8-10
5th inning: 9-9
6th inning: 12-6
7th inning: 8-10
67-59, .532 win pct., 2-1/2 games behind Los Angeles with 36 (two innings) to play.
Month-by-month it looks like this:
April: 9-13
May: 21-9
June: 12-14
July: 14-10
August: 11-14
The Giants are 21-16 since the Break, a .568 clip. Maintaining that will put them at 87-88 wins. To get to 90 they'll have to go 23-13 or a blistering .639 pace. They'll have to get healthy and string good starts together. The expanded rosters are just around the corner but there are five tough games against quality foes before then. Ace Madison Bumgarner will close out the series with the Cubs tomorrow and then the Cardinals have the weekend for three. Mike Leake and Ryan Vogelsong are penciled in for the first two and it's TBD for Sunday. Then they hit the road on Monday the 31st for a massive showdown against the Dodgers. If the rotation holds we'll see Peavy, MadBum, and Leake in LA.
At this point in the season every little thing matters. It looked like Matt Duffy might have hurt himself tonight but he stayed in the game. No more casualties, lads. I've thought all along that this thing--the West race--will get decided in the final week at home with four against the Dodgers and three against the Rockies. If they can right the ship a bit here in San Francisco before those ten away games to start the final month I'll feel a lot better. I'm sure they will, too.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Giants beat the Cubs tonight for the first time this season. Jake Peavy was gritty after a rocky 1st and might have made it through the 7th if Nori Aoki hadn't lost a ball in the lights. The team needed a win to keep pace with the Dodgers and a fine effort from the 'pen sealed the deal. Neither Brandon Crawford nor Gregor Blanco were available to play so the short-handed squad needed to step up. Let's hope both are back soon, this team is beat up enough.
The Giants 8-10 record in the 7th seasonal inning is in keeping with their up-an-down performance in 2015. Here's what we have:
1st inning: 7-11
2nd inning: 11-7
3rd inning: 12-6
4th inning: 8-10
5th inning: 9-9
6th inning: 12-6
7th inning: 8-10
67-59, .532 win pct., 2-1/2 games behind Los Angeles with 36 (two innings) to play.
Month-by-month it looks like this:
April: 9-13
May: 21-9
June: 12-14
July: 14-10
August: 11-14
The Giants are 21-16 since the Break, a .568 clip. Maintaining that will put them at 87-88 wins. To get to 90 they'll have to go 23-13 or a blistering .639 pace. They'll have to get healthy and string good starts together. The expanded rosters are just around the corner but there are five tough games against quality foes before then. Ace Madison Bumgarner will close out the series with the Cubs tomorrow and then the Cardinals have the weekend for three. Mike Leake and Ryan Vogelsong are penciled in for the first two and it's TBD for Sunday. Then they hit the road on Monday the 31st for a massive showdown against the Dodgers. If the rotation holds we'll see Peavy, MadBum, and Leake in LA.
At this point in the season every little thing matters. It looked like Matt Duffy might have hurt himself tonight but he stayed in the game. No more casualties, lads. I've thought all along that this thing--the West race--will get decided in the final week at home with four against the Dodgers and three against the Rockies. If they can right the ship a bit here in San Francisco before those ten away games to start the final month I'll feel a lot better. I'm sure they will, too.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Giants Wear Out Nats Again
Boxscore
The Washington Nationals pounded out ten hits including two doubles, a triple, and two homers and put six runs on the board. The San Francisco Giants responded with 13 hits including five doubles and a triple and piled up twelve runs to take the third game of the series. Gio Gonzalez got the Max Scherzer treatment and was out of the game in the 3rd inning. Jake Peavy couldn't get out of the 6th but it was enough as the lineup kept adding on and the 'pen (George Kontos and Yusmeiro Petit) closed the door. The win tonight brings the home squad's August record to .500 (7-7), evens up the season series (3-3), and pushes the away team's seasonal record to .500 (58-58). Not how the pundits predicted things would go for the talent-rich DCers. Pitching coach Steve McCatty got tossed for talking smack to the homeplate umpire and I thought manager Matt Williams might jump in and get the heave-ho as well but he played it cool and stuck around. I wonder if he'll be around much longer if his team continues to disappoint.
Gregor Blanco and Matt Duffy combined for five hits, five runs, and five runs batted in. I think I like those two at the top of the lineup. Tomorrow Madison Bumgarner takes the ball as the Giants go for the sweep. Rookie Joe Ross gets the call for the Nats. He's a Berkeley kid who went to Bishop O'Dowd and was a first-round pick for the Padres in 2011. His is the younger brother of San Diego's Tyson Ross. None of these games have stuck to the script and it has been a weird series. Not that I'm complaining--the outcomes have been great. It's just that it makes me think tomorrow's game might go differently than we expect.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
The Washington Nationals pounded out ten hits including two doubles, a triple, and two homers and put six runs on the board. The San Francisco Giants responded with 13 hits including five doubles and a triple and piled up twelve runs to take the third game of the series. Gio Gonzalez got the Max Scherzer treatment and was out of the game in the 3rd inning. Jake Peavy couldn't get out of the 6th but it was enough as the lineup kept adding on and the 'pen (George Kontos and Yusmeiro Petit) closed the door. The win tonight brings the home squad's August record to .500 (7-7), evens up the season series (3-3), and pushes the away team's seasonal record to .500 (58-58). Not how the pundits predicted things would go for the talent-rich DCers. Pitching coach Steve McCatty got tossed for talking smack to the homeplate umpire and I thought manager Matt Williams might jump in and get the heave-ho as well but he played it cool and stuck around. I wonder if he'll be around much longer if his team continues to disappoint.
Gregor Blanco and Matt Duffy combined for five hits, five runs, and five runs batted in. I think I like those two at the top of the lineup. Tomorrow Madison Bumgarner takes the ball as the Giants go for the sweep. Rookie Joe Ross gets the call for the Nats. He's a Berkeley kid who went to Bishop O'Dowd and was a first-round pick for the Padres in 2011. His is the younger brother of San Diego's Tyson Ross. None of these games have stuck to the script and it has been a weird series. Not that I'm complaining--the outcomes have been great. It's just that it makes me think tomorrow's game might go differently than we expect.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
14th Team Shutout
Boxscore
Jake Peavy pitched a strong game with six scoreless frames and got some help from Hunter Pence in right field. The gangly one made a terrific running grab in the 3rd to turn a triple into an out and save a run and also pulled off a superb catch-and-throw in the 4th to nail a runner, this time Jonathan Lucroy at third base. Great fielding once again by the entire squad--that sort of thing just sucks the life out of other teams.
Peavy's day ended after a clutch strikeout of Ryan Braun with two on to end the 6th and preserve the shutout. Milwaukee starter Mike Fiers had a gem of his own going with only two hits allowed through six, but lightning struck in the 7th with the heart of the Giants order. Matt Duffy, looking like he had a plan, roped the first pitch to right-center for a single. Not to be outdone, Hunter Pence hit the second pitch he saw for a double to left-center and Duffy scored all the way from first. It was a thrilling sequence and it seemed to energize the team. Four hits, two sac flies, one walk, and two relief pitchers later it was 5-0 and Duffy was batting again. He made the last out and that was the final score.
Hunter Strickland and Sergio Romo added a little drama to their innings but got the requisite six outs without damage; both guys can throw some nasty-looking stuff when they really need to. Javier Lopez had an easy 9th to put the win in the books. A superb victory today to take the series! The Giants go on the road for ten tough ones and face a daunting August schedule after that. Should be some exciting baseball.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
p.s. The Dodgers lead the majors with 15 team shutouts, the A's are third with 13, and the Cubs fourth with 12.
Jake Peavy pitched a strong game with six scoreless frames and got some help from Hunter Pence in right field. The gangly one made a terrific running grab in the 3rd to turn a triple into an out and save a run and also pulled off a superb catch-and-throw in the 4th to nail a runner, this time Jonathan Lucroy at third base. Great fielding once again by the entire squad--that sort of thing just sucks the life out of other teams.
Peavy's day ended after a clutch strikeout of Ryan Braun with two on to end the 6th and preserve the shutout. Milwaukee starter Mike Fiers had a gem of his own going with only two hits allowed through six, but lightning struck in the 7th with the heart of the Giants order. Matt Duffy, looking like he had a plan, roped the first pitch to right-center for a single. Not to be outdone, Hunter Pence hit the second pitch he saw for a double to left-center and Duffy scored all the way from first. It was a thrilling sequence and it seemed to energize the team. Four hits, two sac flies, one walk, and two relief pitchers later it was 5-0 and Duffy was batting again. He made the last out and that was the final score.
Hunter Strickland and Sergio Romo added a little drama to their innings but got the requisite six outs without damage; both guys can throw some nasty-looking stuff when they really need to. Javier Lopez had an easy 9th to put the win in the books. A superb victory today to take the series! The Giants go on the road for ten tough ones and face a daunting August schedule after that. Should be some exciting baseball.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
p.s. The Dodgers lead the majors with 15 team shutouts, the A's are third with 13, and the Cubs fourth with 12.
Friday, October 3, 2014
P-Power Pushes Giants Past Nats
Jake Peavy did not have to be the best pitcher in baseball today, he just had to be better than Stephen Strasburg. Lo and behold, he was. Strasburg wasn't bad, he was very tough in fact, but the Giants had excellent approaches against him and got men on base and wore him down. Hunter Strickland was brought in to get the final out in the 6th, a ballsy move by the skipper, and he preserved Peavy's fine start with a huge strikeout. The rookie flamethrower gave up two bombs in the 7th to terrify the hell out of us, but the rest of the 'pen got the big outs and the Giants held on for a remarkable 3-2 win. Boch will have to answer some questions about why he stuck with the rookie, but one thing we've learned from Our Fearless Leader is that he is truly fearless. He had confidence in the young righty and went with him in a huge situation and, in the end, it all worked out.
The Giants did their "death by a thousand paper cuts" thing that worked so well in 2012. Rookie Joe Panik spoiled the party with a booming triple that led to the third and decisive run and once again the Giants had the entire lineup involved in the action. Travis Ishikawa got the scoring started in the 3rd and a steal by Hunter Pence in the 4th led to the second run. It was another of those total team efforts that seem to define this club. Grit, moxie, and veteran savvy clutchness prevailed today!
There's a lot to talk about. I hope we can get a field report from The Mystic Zo. Russian River sent me a text that said "let's get greedy and get two in DC." Hell, yeah.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
p.s. I liked that "easy" save from Casilla and Romo getting Harper in the 8th.
The Giants did their "death by a thousand paper cuts" thing that worked so well in 2012. Rookie Joe Panik spoiled the party with a booming triple that led to the third and decisive run and once again the Giants had the entire lineup involved in the action. Travis Ishikawa got the scoring started in the 3rd and a steal by Hunter Pence in the 4th led to the second run. It was another of those total team efforts that seem to define this club. Grit, moxie, and veteran savvy clutchness prevailed today!
There's a lot to talk about. I hope we can get a field report from The Mystic Zo. Russian River sent me a text that said "let's get greedy and get two in DC." Hell, yeah.
GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
p.s. I liked that "easy" save from Casilla and Romo getting Harper in the 8th.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)