UGLY^2

The Big Ugly was U-G-L-Y last night. The Crockies whacked him all over the place. Our offense was, well, offensive. But we knew that.

Check our old guy's game-by-game log:

#1 start) 5 IP, 4 ER, loss
#2 start) 3-2/3 IP, 7 ER, loss
#3 start) 7 IP, 0 ER, win
#4 start) 3-1/3 IP, 2 ER, ND
#5 start) 7 IP, 0 ER, win
#6 start) 5-2/3, 7 ER, loss

Johnson's ERA is 5.86 and his FIP is 5.68. That's ugly no matter how you slice it. When he's good, he's very good, but when he's bad, he's very bad. If he can make 24 starts (he made 25 last year), and manages only 2 good ones in every 6, that's only EIGHT good starts. That means 300 could be a looooooong wait. Let's hope Randy rights the Good Ship Johnson and pitches well more consistently. I, for one, was not against the Johnson signing. I thought he had some quality starts left, and with Lowry down and Sanchez a question mark, we needed another guy. It never hurts to have an all-time great around, and the youngsters we had last year (Hennessey and Correia) didn't cut the mustard. I've been reluctant to brag about our supposed "pitching depth." Yes, we have God Himself every 5th day, and Studly Young Matt as well. But a "resurgent" Zito is still a huge question mark, and if any of the Five get hurt we will be in big trouble.

Here's an idea--let's make MATT CAIN our "number two starter." He deserves that, don't you think? At least he'll get the chance to show us today. Colorado is a tough place to pitch, and he probably won't get the action on his curveball, so he'll have to pound them with the fastball and slider and hope the changeup is working.


UPDATE 1022: WOW.

Windy City Tim

The Chicago Cubs had no illusions about their chances against Tim Lincecum. They had a lineup that featured Lee and Fukudome and nobody else. We are talking pinch-hitting depth today. I guess its a good day to rest when The Franchise's spot in the rotation rolls around, but this was ridiculous. However, I must admit that they were probably absolutely right as Tim ripped off his fourth straight quality start: 7 innings, 2 runs, 4 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts. During this nice little run he given up 6 runs in 30 innings ( 1.80 era ) with 40 punchouts and 6 walks. On top of that, Lincecum now has a lovely 2-0 record ( 1.69 era, .167 avg) in 3 career starts at the Friendly Confines. It could be argued that the game was over as soon as "Big Money" Molina delivered a three run homer in the first, since Tim is an unearthly 23-1 when he gets 3 runs of support. That is a stat that never gets old no matter how many times you hear it.

Pop Giants Trivia Quiz!!

#1 The Cubs (16-16) are one of only three teams that are at or above .500 at our home field. What are the other two?

#2 Which current Giants pitcher has NEVER lost?

#3 Tim was the youngest Cy Young winner in either league since _____ won in ___ .

(Answers will be posted only if I remember to...so somebody better remind me!)

Red Asphalt

Remember those Drivers Ed movies? Here's one on YouTube if you don't. Serious splatterpunk. And you gotta love the hardcore narrator and his rude cracks about artificial limbs! Check out the old Macs as well. The 16 mm flick we watched "back in the day" was from 1964--no computers in that one. And there's something about the clicking of projector sprockets and the rolling film reels that added to the experience. The Dolby/THX generation has no idea. Dude, that was authentic.

Speaking of road death, the MMIX San Francisco Giants just made the math easier last night. We've played 10 road games and won 2, and even a math teacher can tell you that's a .200 win percentage. The "beat 'em with pitching" model only works if you get a good start, and poor Sanchez was all over the place, walking six. The Cubs are a tough lineup even though they aren't playing up to expectations these days. They are vulnerable if you can score some runs. Thank goodness we had some youth at the top of the lineup, Mississippi Fred got a rally going with a walk and Pablito had two hits, but our VSC crowd were the walking dead. Señor Slow got rewarded for hitting a double play ball--he can pad his RBI stats for his free agency next year. Gomer is just about unmentionable. And that RF Guy needs a rest. Give Schierholtz the next few starts, eh?

Does Ol' Boch Really Believe

that Bengie Momentum Killer is a better hitter than Fred Lewis? That he gives us a better chance to win? Is he really that enamored with Veteran Savvy Clutchness?

You have got to be kidding me.

And even if Señor Slow is a better hitter than Lewis, Mississippi Fred had good at-bats all fookin' day, roping the ball while our hero sat on the bench oozing his gamer-issitude all over the coaching staff.

Jaysus, and it's a bloody trial watching this club. (Nice to see Manny B find his stroke. And number 75 pitch another good game.)




UPDATE 1552: Veteran Savvy Clutchness! Veteran Savvy Clutchness! Richie gets the clutch hit! I'm a Believer, yes I am!! Pinch-hit Old Fart of The Week any time you want, Bochy-Boy, there'll be no more carping from me!!!

Joyous Interruptus

6 7 5 5 4 3

A harsh mistress she is, this Lady Baseball, a harsh mistress indeed. Matt Cain threw a stinker today, and the feebleness of our offense was cruelly exposed by an efficient Jason Marquis. Here I was, gettin' all excited and everything, and then we go out there and look thoroughly limp.

Starters are going to have their rough spots--I can live with that. And Cain has gotten the results so far, posting quality starts and bagging a pair of W's. But I have to say that my worry-wart is coming to the surface, and some disturbing trend lines are emerging. I know, the Small Sample Size Demon is screeching at me, like I hope he screeches at all of you, but there are some concerns, mind you, some nagging doubts, some niggling niggles, to wit:

• 2006 K/9 8.45
• 2007 K/9 7.34
• 2008 K/9 7.69
• 2009 so far, strikeouts per 9 IP, 6.23

All the projection systems (courtesy Matt's FanGraphs page) have him getting at least 7.52 K/9 for 2009, this is across the board, CHONE, Bill James, Marcel, and ZiPS. To the stat-geeks, Matt is underperfoming on a crucial indicator. Another "peripheral" that has me niggled is one I've talked about a lot, and that is Matt's ability to induce GROUND BALLS. Let's take a look at his percent of all balls in play that are ground balls:

• 2006 35.6
• 2007 39.4
• 2008 33.2
• 2009 so far, GB% is 31.6

Today he faced 27 batters, threw 102 pitches, and managed only 3 groundballs and 3 strikeouts. I suppose the plus side is that he threw six innings--he didn't implode in the third and walk away with one of those Zitovian 2007-08 lines. And, of course, it is only his 5th start, he's got a couple dozen more to go this season before a jury can weigh in on the evidence. One thing is for sure, he's throwing his curveball (CB) and changeup (CH) more than ever, and relying less on his fastball (FB):

• 2006 72.0% FB 14.1% CB 05.8% CH
• 2007 64.5% FB 08.6% CB 10.4% CH
• 2008 65.4% FB 10.2% CB 10.6% CH
• 2009 59.4% FB 15.5% CB 11.7% CH

The rest of the time (12.7% career), Matt throws a slider. His average fastball velocity is down as well, from a high in 2006 of 93.2 mph, to a current 91.5 mph. I can't say I always enjoy my time on FanGraphs--it has a way of shoving unpleasant facts down your throat--but I sure learn a lot. I'm going to say "it's May, it's May, the lusty month of May" and assume Matt will throw a great start next time out, and that his performance will creep up to ever-higher levels of studliness as the year goes on. Regression to the mean, my arse.

And Young Mr. Sandoval smoked a dinger, so there's still some Joy in Mudville.

Muggsy, part two

To write about the career of John McGraw, both as a player and as a manager, is to write about an entire era. It's a huge story. If you want to read all the details, and I suggest you do, follow the links.
As a player he was known for his toughness. When he began, there was only one umpire per game. So when there was a chance when he knew the umpire had to be watching something else, he would assault any nearby opponent. Soon there were multiple umpires per game.
He always hit for a good average, playing in a lively-ball era, and he was able to draw a lot of walks, so his career OBP was .466, third best of all time, behind only Ted Williams and Babe Ruth.
He became player/manager of the Baltimore Orioles while he was still in his twenties. In 1902 he became a Giant. His playing career was essentially over, although he appeared in a few games now and then for a few more years.
He blew off the 1904 World Series. He thought the NY Highlanders (the Yankees' original name) were going to win the AL title and he had a major grudge against them and their owner, so he decide to not participate. (As it turned out, Boston ended up winning the AL pennant.)
Frank Deford described him thusly: he was "the model for the classic American coach--a male version of the whore with a heart of gold--a tough, flinty so-and-so who was field-smart, a man's man his players came to love despite themselves."
In thirty years managing the Giants he won 10 pennants and 3 World Series.
Topic for discussion: McGraw has been called the best player to become a great manager in major league history. Who are other candidates for that honor?

11-10!

If I divide 11 wins by 21 games played on my trusty Casio I get 0.523809 and some change. That's a .524 win percentage, mis amigos, five-freakin'-twenty four! Count me as one who said it couldn't be done. There was no way I could imagine this lineup winning more games than it'd lose, no way. Tonight was a perfect example--we got FIVE freakin' hits!! But I'll be damned, we got it done, and it seems more and more that we've got some serious PhoneCo Home Field Mojo goin' on. We are 9-3 at AT &T, bras, nine-and-bloody-three. Chis Haft reminded us yesterday that:

The Giants' home surge, which they'll attempt to sustain during a three-game series beginning Friday against the Colorado Rockies, was offset by an 0-6 trip to San Diego and Los Angeles from April 10-16. To remain in the upper echelon of the NL West, they must improve on the road, where they'll play 13 of 20 games after the Colorado series.

Well, let's put a wee damper on things, eh? Thankee, Chrissie-lad, thankee ever so much. But he's got a point, me buckos, he's got a point. Can we take this act on the road? I have to say it is splendid to see young Mr. Ishikawa get some stroke back, and if he can hit towering bombs that oughta go out but don't in San Francisco, than he oughta pop some that WILL go out in Chicago and Colorado, or is my airtight logic poppin' a leak?

Nevertheless, a tremendous start by the Great Old One Himself, a little foul weather makes anyone tough to hit, but that crafty mo-fo probably has special pitches just for rainy nights. Got a little scary at the end there, but we squeaked through. Our Win Expectancy reached its lowest ebb--68.9%--when Wilson gave up the hit to Atkins (2 out in the 8th), but shot back up to 86.5% when he fanned Spilborghs to end the inning.

All in all, a fine May Day performance. Joyous Beltane* wishes to you all.



*The actual cross-quarter day occurs on the fifth this year, so you can celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Celtic Summer in one fell swoop. Corned beef enchiladas, anyone?