In spite of the fact that each day since my last post I have heard some allusion to him being traded, I am increasingly convinced that the Giants strongest assets lie in their relief pitching. Will Smith (21 for 21 saves) is going to be an All-Star. The record for consecutive saves is held by Rod Beck, with 24.
The Giants discovered some offense today, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks for a 4-game split by a score of 10 - 4. That was after a disappointing effort against Greinke last night, in which the Giants held the snakes scoreless behind Pomeranz for 5 and Moronta for 1 before Kevin Pillar dropped a fly ball in center field and to allow a run with Sam Dyson on the mound. Greinke made quick work of the Giants in the 7th, in spite of hitting Vogt with a pitch and in the 8th, Crawford erred his way (his 10th) into allowing a run behind Melancon (who "earned" 2 himself). The Giants scored 3 in the 9th, which would have been enough to win it if not for the poor fielding. Crawford currently has the worst fielding percentage in his career.
Today was different. The Giants looked sharp on offense, especially Kevin Pillar (a home run, 4 for 5 and 5 rbi's) and Buster Posey (3 for 3 and a BB). Buster also hit the ball well Friday (3 for 4). Longoria, Yastrzemski, Panik and Sandoval also had rbi's. Madison Bumgarner threw 7 innings and used 96 pitches to do so. He walked no one and allowed 1 run on 4 hits. He struck out 9. That ties him with Tim Lincecum for 4th place on the all time Giants' strikeout list. Take a look. Christy Mathewson, Juan Marichal, Amos Rusie, then Madbum and Tim, then Matt Cain. That should tell you all you need to know about how the Giants won 3 world series titles in a 5 year stretch.
Yet, with the win Friday night, they took 2 of the 4. That makes the Giants record 14 - 13 for June, and 9 - 10 against the western division since we started this stretch against them June 7 in LA. We play 3 in San Diego starting tomorrow and then 4 (including a double-header) in Denver on July 15 - 17. At this point last year, the Giants were 43 - 40. So, to use the whole season, as Mark has done, to project a 70 - 92 season is not the only way to figure out what the Giants are "on a pace" to accomplish. One could also say, based on recent performance, that the Giants are "on a pace" to go 77 - 85. That would be an improvement over last year's 73 win season (remember, the Giants lost A LOT at the end of the year). We're supposed to be improving this year, right? Don't trade Madbum!
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Giants Down D-Backs
SF 6 AZ 3
Buster Posey had three hits, including an almost-homer to right field, plus a run scored and two driven in. It has been a hard slog for the veteran backstop whose .241/.304/.369 slash line is a far cry from his career norm (.303/.372/.461). Hip surgery for a professional athlete is often a career-ender, just ask Tim Lincecum, so you have to be impressed by Buster's effort this year even if the results aren't what anyone was hoping for. Brandon Crawford, another oldster, had three knocks as well and reached a career milestone with one thousand. Pretty cool. FNGs Mike Yastrzemski and Alex Dickerson chipped in two hits apiece, and one of Dick's was a homer. Brandon Belt hit leadoff and had a walk in front of Posey's double (the almost homer). I like the move, he should hit there or the second spot. I fear his knee health is not good and he is barely hanging on, although he looked sharp in the field last night. At least they have a platoon option with Tyler Austin. Belt is the only regular who has been above league average at the plate this season, so his batting average drop (now at .221) is alarming. Like I said, I suspect the knee is the culprit.
Shaun Anderson turned in another gritty effort, this time 5-2/3 with two runs allowed. He gave up hits but no big flies and thus kept the team in the game. I like this guy, he is young and unpolished but shows a lot of confidence and determination. Let's hope he keeps developing his game.
Drew Pomeranz takes on the ageless Zack Greinke this evening at 7:05 Pacific. Go Giants!
--M.C.
Buster Posey had three hits, including an almost-homer to right field, plus a run scored and two driven in. It has been a hard slog for the veteran backstop whose .241/.304/.369 slash line is a far cry from his career norm (.303/.372/.461). Hip surgery for a professional athlete is often a career-ender, just ask Tim Lincecum, so you have to be impressed by Buster's effort this year even if the results aren't what anyone was hoping for. Brandon Crawford, another oldster, had three knocks as well and reached a career milestone with one thousand. Pretty cool. FNGs Mike Yastrzemski and Alex Dickerson chipped in two hits apiece, and one of Dick's was a homer. Brandon Belt hit leadoff and had a walk in front of Posey's double (the almost homer). I like the move, he should hit there or the second spot. I fear his knee health is not good and he is barely hanging on, although he looked sharp in the field last night. At least they have a platoon option with Tyler Austin. Belt is the only regular who has been above league average at the plate this season, so his batting average drop (now at .221) is alarming. Like I said, I suspect the knee is the culprit.
Shaun Anderson turned in another gritty effort, this time 5-2/3 with two runs allowed. He gave up hits but no big flies and thus kept the team in the game. I like this guy, he is young and unpolished but shows a lot of confidence and determination. Let's hope he keeps developing his game.
Drew Pomeranz takes on the ageless Zack Greinke this evening at 7:05 Pacific. Go Giants!
--M.C.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
June 25, 2019: Madbum Not Traded Yet
And once again, when and whether Madison Bumgarner would be on another team was the very first thing out of the mouth of the host of the post-game show on tv (Kelli Johnson). (following long winded rant deleted).
But anyway, Madbum pitched great and the Giants beat the Crockies, 4 - 2. It probably should have been 4 - 1, but in the 6th, after a Charlie Blackmon double, David Dahl hit a pop that our left fielder, Alex Dickerman, had no clue as to the location of. It dropped and Blackmon scored. It wasn't an error, even though it kind of was, because Dickerman never got close to the ball. Madbum threw 97 pitches in 6 full innings, he gave up a solo home run to Ian Desmond in the 2nd and a total of 2 runs, 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 11. That means he just passed Matt Cain by 1 K to claim the #5 spot on the all time Giants strikeout list.
Madbum got a hit, too, that proved to be the GWRBI. In the 4th, after Dickerson singled to start the inning, and Pillar and Longoria lined out, Crawford drew a walk and Solano singled to score Dickerson and put Crawford on 3rd. That was the Giants second run. Madbum, with 2 strikes, lined a single to left to score Crawford for the third. Belt sacrificed Solano home in the 2nd and Tyler homered with no one on in the 7th. Know what else happened? The Giants did not roll over against a pitcher they had never seen before. How about that! The Giants are 12 - 10 in June and 7 - 7 against western division foes this month, with more to come.
But anyway, Madbum pitched great and the Giants beat the Crockies, 4 - 2. It probably should have been 4 - 1, but in the 6th, after a Charlie Blackmon double, David Dahl hit a pop that our left fielder, Alex Dickerman, had no clue as to the location of. It dropped and Blackmon scored. It wasn't an error, even though it kind of was, because Dickerman never got close to the ball. Madbum threw 97 pitches in 6 full innings, he gave up a solo home run to Ian Desmond in the 2nd and a total of 2 runs, 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 11. That means he just passed Matt Cain by 1 K to claim the #5 spot on the all time Giants strikeout list.
Madbum got a hit, too, that proved to be the GWRBI. In the 4th, after Dickerson singled to start the inning, and Pillar and Longoria lined out, Crawford drew a walk and Solano singled to score Dickerson and put Crawford on 3rd. That was the Giants second run. Madbum, with 2 strikes, lined a single to left to score Crawford for the third. Belt sacrificed Solano home in the 2nd and Tyler homered with no one on in the 7th. Know what else happened? The Giants did not roll over against a pitcher they had never seen before. How about that! The Giants are 12 - 10 in June and 7 - 7 against western division foes this month, with more to come.
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Bullpen Leads the Way
SF 7 AZ 4
The Giants relief corps threw five scoreless innings last night, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out five. Trevor Gott, Mark Melancon, Sam Dyson, Tony Watson, and Will Smith (who is 20-for-20 in save chances) each recorded three outs after Tyler Beede went the first four frames and gave up four runs (three in the 1st). FNG Alex Dickerson had two doubles and three RBI--that's nine in two games, a Giants record. Kevin Pillar and Brandon Crawford had two hits each and Mike Yastrzemski drove in two with his fifth homer. Yaz has raised his average 50 points in the last 10 games.
Shaun Anderson gets the ball this afternoon at 1:10 Pacific and the Giants go for the sweep. Yep, you heard that right. The rookie has shown some grit in his seven starts and has kept the team in the game. Let's hope the lineup keeps putting runs on the board.
--M.C.
The Giants relief corps threw five scoreless innings last night, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out five. Trevor Gott, Mark Melancon, Sam Dyson, Tony Watson, and Will Smith (who is 20-for-20 in save chances) each recorded three outs after Tyler Beede went the first four frames and gave up four runs (three in the 1st). FNG Alex Dickerson had two doubles and three RBI--that's nine in two games, a Giants record. Kevin Pillar and Brandon Crawford had two hits each and Mike Yastrzemski drove in two with his fifth homer. Yaz has raised his average 50 points in the last 10 games.
Shaun Anderson gets the ball this afternoon at 1:10 Pacific and the Giants go for the sweep. Yep, you heard that right. The rookie has shown some grit in his seven starts and has kept the team in the game. Let's hope the lineup keeps putting runs on the board.
--M.C.
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Alex "Big Stick" Dickerson
SF 11 AZ 5
Buried in a comment of mine on Zo's June 9th post about MadBum was this little tidbit:
I suppose we'll have to take another look. The 29-year old from Poway has played 108 games in the big leagues, all with the Padres. In his debut with the Giants he had three hits and six runs batted in with the big blow a grand slam home run in the 3rd inning. Bobby Bonds (in 1968) and Brandon Crawford (in 2011) each hit a big salami in their Giants debuts. Those were also their major league debuts, so it is a little different with this one but still pretty damn cool.
So, congratulations to Alex Dickerson and "welcome aboard." The Giants won the game, too, and played like some other team rather than the one we saw in LA, which is good. Kevin Pillar, batting in front of the FNG, had a big night as well. Dickerson also had a triple, and all his RBIs came with two outs. Good stuff!
All I'm hoping for from this roster-shuffling is competent major league play for extended periods. We seem to be getting some of that from Mike Yastrzemski (.772 OPS). Can we get a couple of fellows in the outfield to finish out the season with at least an average shot at getting a big hit every few days? I don't expect superstars, just players who aren't black holes with the bat and can catch the ball when it comes their way. In the pool of so-called "replacement players" there ought to be some who can pull that off, don't you think?
Anyway, the boys play another tonight in Arizona, 7:05 Pacific, and Tyler Beede gets the start. Go Giants!
--M.C.
Buried in a comment of mine on Zo's June 9th post about MadBum was this little tidbit:
Giants get another OF, another lefty (Alex Dickerson)in a trade with SD. The Pads get All-Name Team All-Star RHP Franklin Van Gurp.At the time it was just another roster-churning Zaidian move, part of the endless search for some outfield help. The list of those guys is getting pretty long and I didn't give it more thought than the time it took to write the sentence.
I suppose we'll have to take another look. The 29-year old from Poway has played 108 games in the big leagues, all with the Padres. In his debut with the Giants he had three hits and six runs batted in with the big blow a grand slam home run in the 3rd inning. Bobby Bonds (in 1968) and Brandon Crawford (in 2011) each hit a big salami in their Giants debuts. Those were also their major league debuts, so it is a little different with this one but still pretty damn cool.
So, congratulations to Alex Dickerson and "welcome aboard." The Giants won the game, too, and played like some other team rather than the one we saw in LA, which is good. Kevin Pillar, batting in front of the FNG, had a big night as well. Dickerson also had a triple, and all his RBIs came with two outs. Good stuff!
All I'm hoping for from this roster-shuffling is competent major league play for extended periods. We seem to be getting some of that from Mike Yastrzemski (.772 OPS). Can we get a couple of fellows in the outfield to finish out the season with at least an average shot at getting a big hit every few days? I don't expect superstars, just players who aren't black holes with the bat and can catch the ball when it comes their way. In the pool of so-called "replacement players" there ought to be some who can pull that off, don't you think?
Anyway, the boys play another tonight in Arizona, 7:05 Pacific, and Tyler Beede gets the start. Go Giants!
--M.C.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Giants Show Spunk But Lose
You would have been forgiven for leaving this game early. I almost did.
Madison Bumgarner had his worst among 35 starts against LA. He didn't even face a starter, LA simply used relief (which is not their strength). He did pretty well for 3 innings, giving up just 1 run. Then came the 4th. They batted around + 1. It went like this: whap, homer, whap, homer, K, single, single, single, fly out, single (for the 5th run of the fucking inning), Bruce Bochy can't take it anymore, changes pitchers. Out.
LA ran the score to 7 - 1 before the Giants mounted a rally in the 7th. They scored 3 from a Crawford sac fly and a Yaz home run. LA got 2 more to again rack up 9 for the game and make it a 5 run lead. The Giants showed spunk in the 9th. Longo and Pillar reached, then Crawford doubled them home. That made it 9 - 6 and brought in Jansen, their closer. He did not shut down the Giants. Yaz singled to bring home Crawford (9 - 7); Vogt, pinch hitting, walked; Panik singled (his first hit of the series, 1 more than Brandon Belt) to drive in Yaz (9 - 8). Austin bunted, and Vogt was out at third. Maybe. But Posey lined out and Belt flew out to end it.
Were there bad calls? Posey, a guy who takes the discretion-is-the-better-part-of-valor view of umpire interactions, made a case because he was called out on a strike that Madbum did not get, just before Barnes' home run. Vogt may have been safe. I am sick of hearing about how you have to have sufficient evidence to overturn. Either make the correct call, regardless of what the on-field umps called, or the hell with it. In any case, the Giants, so badly over-matched for 2 games after their impressive win way back on Monday, drop the 4th game of the series by a final score of 9 - 8 and head to Arizona. Where we will see if their recent semi-decent play, Tuesday and Wednesday notwithstanding, are a sign of the team or just a mirage.
Madison Bumgarner had his worst among 35 starts against LA. He didn't even face a starter, LA simply used relief (which is not their strength). He did pretty well for 3 innings, giving up just 1 run. Then came the 4th. They batted around + 1. It went like this: whap, homer, whap, homer, K, single, single, single, fly out, single (for the 5th run of the fucking inning), Bruce Bochy can't take it anymore, changes pitchers. Out.
LA ran the score to 7 - 1 before the Giants mounted a rally in the 7th. They scored 3 from a Crawford sac fly and a Yaz home run. LA got 2 more to again rack up 9 for the game and make it a 5 run lead. The Giants showed spunk in the 9th. Longo and Pillar reached, then Crawford doubled them home. That made it 9 - 6 and brought in Jansen, their closer. He did not shut down the Giants. Yaz singled to bring home Crawford (9 - 7); Vogt, pinch hitting, walked; Panik singled (his first hit of the series, 1 more than Brandon Belt) to drive in Yaz (9 - 8). Austin bunted, and Vogt was out at third. Maybe. But Posey lined out and Belt flew out to end it.
Were there bad calls? Posey, a guy who takes the discretion-is-the-better-part-of-valor view of umpire interactions, made a case because he was called out on a strike that Madbum did not get, just before Barnes' home run. Vogt may have been safe. I am sick of hearing about how you have to have sufficient evidence to overturn. Either make the correct call, regardless of what the on-field umps called, or the hell with it. In any case, the Giants, so badly over-matched for 2 games after their impressive win way back on Monday, drop the 4th game of the series by a final score of 9 - 8 and head to Arizona. Where we will see if their recent semi-decent play, Tuesday and Wednesday notwithstanding, are a sign of the team or just a mirage.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
4th inning: 10-8
1st inning: 8-10
2nd inning: 8-10
3rd inning: 5-13
4th inning: 10-8
The Giants lost the last two games in LA by a score of 18-2 but have otherwise had a decent stretch in the month of June (9-7). Not that it matters much as the team sits in last place at 31-41 (.431). The Giants have scored 97 fewer runs (271) than they have allowed (368).
FanGraphs rates the Giants hitters as 29th out of 30 teams in wOBA (.282). They rate the pitchers as 21st out of the 30 teams by FIP (4.66). They stink on both sides of the ball, but we knew that already.
Madison Bumgarner goes tomorrow night, 7:10 Pacific.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
2nd inning: 8-10
3rd inning: 5-13
4th inning: 10-8
The Giants lost the last two games in LA by a score of 18-2 but have otherwise had a decent stretch in the month of June (9-7). Not that it matters much as the team sits in last place at 31-41 (.431). The Giants have scored 97 fewer runs (271) than they have allowed (368).
FanGraphs rates the Giants hitters as 29th out of 30 teams in wOBA (.282). They rate the pitchers as 21st out of the 30 teams by FIP (4.66). They stink on both sides of the ball, but we knew that already.
Madison Bumgarner goes tomorrow night, 7:10 Pacific.
Go Giants!
--M.C.
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