It's an improvement, but not by much. And then they went out and lost yesterday. The Giants are tied with the Rockies (14-23, .378) for last place and for the worst record. Their -42 run difference is the worst in baseball.
Not much more to say about that, is there?
--M.C.
Trevor McDonald took advantage of his call-up and pitched a gem. Seven innings with only two hits and one run allowed with no walks and eight whiffs is pretty damn good. TEN groundouts! The Giants backed him up--just enough--and got some relief--just enough--for their 14th win. McDonald was drafted right out of high school in the 11th round in 2019. He made his debut in 2024 and pitched in three games last season.
Neither of the other call-ups did anything although Jesús Rodriguez did start behind the plate and catch McDonald's effort before being replaced by Patrick Bailey. Bryce Eldridge got a walk as DH.
As Zo pointed out Will Brennan was optioned, Erik Miller sent to the IL and Jerar Encarnacion was DFAd. So the Giants added to the roster without a painful subtraction. Let's hope the FNGs can add a little winning spark.
Should be Logan Webb tonight (6:45 Pacific). Go Giants!
--M.C.
The Giants are calling up Bryce Eldridge and Jesús Rodriguez, their 24-year old C/3B prospect. He came to us from the Yankees in the Camilo Doval trade. Both are on the 40-man roster already. That means two guys on the current 26-man will get optioned or cut loose.
Hmm, who will that be? Patrick Bailey has all three of his options. So do Christian Koss and Drew Gilbert. Willl Brennan has two left. Casey Schmitt has one option remaining. He's hitting so he stays. Koss gets the least work of everyone, so he probably gets sent down. (Jung Hoo Lee has all his options left but I think his spot is secure.)
Eric Haase and Daniel Susac (on the IL) are out of options. I think Susac will keep his job when he gets healthy. Haase will likely be DFAd.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
"In war, it is often better to do something, even if it is the wrong thing, than to do nothing at all."
--U.S. Grant
Giants fans got their money's worth this afternoon. Jung Hoo Lee had a terrific four-hit day, Landen Roupp pitched a great game, and Casey Schmitt had a big late-inning homer. And it was a come-from-behind victory to boot!
This team needs a whole heapin' pile o'wins just like this one. Roupp had one rough patch and he got burned on one gopher ball (the guy put a good swing on a low pitch). Otherwise he was dominant, retiring 18 in a row at one point. He gave the team a chance after the early deficit and they clawed back to tie it in the 6th and go ahead in the 7th.
The Giants took 2 of 3 in DC from the Nats, took 2 of 3 from LA at home, and just pulled off 2 of 3 from the Marlins. Now they take their act on the road, starting Tuesday, to Philadelphia for three and then another three in Miami. They'll be home against the Padres on Monday, May 4th.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
That's because of Max Muncy, mostly. Kyle Tucker and the bottom of the Dodgers lineup chipped in, too.
Was it folly to hope for a sweep? Perhaps. Tyler Glasnow cut down the Giants like my self-propelled electric mower cuts the grass: smoothly, quickly, quietly.
Logan vs. Shohei: groundout, strikeout, strikeout, GIDP. (Blade Tidwell got him on a flyout in the 9th to make it an Oh-for-five.) At least there's that.
Otherwise Webb is still getting dinged. I think his command is a wee bit off. He's walking more guys. In general it just seems like he's not locating as well. His game depends on ground balls and that requires fine-tuned placement. And it also seems like his top-of-the-zone four-seamer isn't working. He got a lot of strikes and strikeouts with that pitch last season. He needs something like that to balance his arsenal of bottom-of-the-zone sinkers, sliders, and change-ups.
The Giants missed an opportunity. But, there's a new team coming in and that's the Miami Marlins. Adrian Houser is lined up for tomorrow night (7:15 Pacific). It's day games for Saturday and Sunday, both at 1:05, and we'll see Robbie Ray and the Landen Roupp.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
The Giants got a great start (7 IP, 3 H, 5 K) from Tyler Mahle and an unlikely homer from Patrick Bailey and beat the Dodgers for the second straight night.
The LA offense has been pounding the ball at a ridiculous (.280/.357/.480) rate and their MLB-best 42 HR underscore how good they are. So it's quite an accomplishment to shut them down for two games.
Tomorrow's getaway game is at 12:45 and will feature Logan Webb and Tyler Glasnow. I'd sure like to see a sweep.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
The Dodgers came to San Francisco with the best record in baseball and the biggest run difference as well (134 RS, 79 RA, +55). This series is a mis-match on paper!
Landen Roupp and five relievers had a different plan. The Giants jumped on Yoshinobu Yamamoto for three in the 1st and held on for their tenth win of the season.
Tyler Mahle goes tonight (6:45 PT).
Go Giants!
--M.C.
p.s. The bad news is that Daniel Susac goes on the 10-day IL.
