What Needs To Happen From Here on Out For Us To Win the Division
Winning the division really is our only goal right now. I just don’t think the WC will be realistic for us–too many good teams in the NL East–and at least one of those Big 3 (Braves, Mets, Phillies) will make some loud noise at the trade deadline–Sabes won’t compete with that….
It’s easy to be negative and harp on the failings of the first half—The older bloated salary vet guys have sucked. Our BP (minus Wilson) was awful. The SP has been mediocre. Pablo Sandoval has turned into Guy Sularz, at least from a production standpoint….
But look at what’s gone mindblowingly RIGHT for us: Huff, Torres, Uribe, Posey, Bumgarner, Burrell, Whiteside and Freddy Sanchez have ALL done more than I thought they would *this* year. Those were 8 home runs for Sabean, as far as I’m concerned– and he gets additional props for the guys he passed on signing (Penny, Nick Johnson, etc)….And turning Molina into anything other than a worn out bra strap was genius– Ray looks like a very stabilizing force for us in the BP…….
But we’re not winning the division “as-is”. I don’t think we need to add anyone, certainly not until the Ishikawa thing gets played out. Burrell, too. If either or both of those guys maintain their level of success we set positionally. Obviously we can’t have any big injuries but that’s the same for all the fringe playoff teams. There are certain guys we’d miss less than others but that’s a topic for another day. With everything that’s gone RIGHT this year, all we really need to win this division is for some of the things that have gone colossally WRONG to right themselves—Pablo, the SP, the BP– any of those 3 get fixed and we are good to go. Maybe 2 of 3 depending on which 2. But we aren’t that far away. We don’t need a “Derek Lee” or a “David Freaking DeJesus”. We need the YOUNG guys we counted on going into the season to start living up to expectations: Pablo, Cain, Timmy, Dirrrrrrrrty. Those guys need to step it up starting today. Let’s hope they’re “second half” guys…….
REGARDING THE NEWEST CONTEST: Please get your picks in to me or twin by 5pm today. Give us your prediction for W/l total at end of season and whether you think we make the playoffs. So far I’ve only got about 10, not sure how many TWIN has. He’s putting up a big prize so I hope we get enough entrants to justify doing it….
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Belt 3 for 4 Triple, HR, 3 RBI Hitting .410…
That kid is putting up numbers not seen on PlayStation.
TF: Could Ishi be hearing footsteps? How long till the kid bounces up to Fresno? He’s starting to make the Panda’s progression look puerile. The Show before the end of August?
Lincecum sure misses that all – world play calling of Bengielena…
We’ve finally got a pretty nice situation with Rowand, as he, Nate, and Burrell are the tri-third OFers.
Stix, Belt won’t stop over in Fresno, next promotion will be here. As long as Travis hits, it probably won’t happen until the September call-ups, otherwise it could be in 2-3 weeks. OR it sweetens a deal. I have not actually seen Belt, but if they think he’ll hit here, Ishikawa’s performance could make him ( Travis) a significant piece of a trade.
Just learned that the Giants have now improved to 3-26 in games this season where they have scored two or fewer runs. Time soon to Buster open and Belt em out.
In the middle of a good, tight game, what WAS that full inning of Ratto manure in the booth? Hell, I think they only give 1/2 innings in the booth to McCovey and Mays. Ratto has more chins than Bengie, and Bengie’s personal blog was more well written (ghost writer unknown) than Ratto’s. When he comes onto CSNBA, time to hit the head…
I think it’s fair to say that Timmy does get fatigued, and it messes with his control. He just had a what, six day rest over the break, and it clearly helped. His last start against the Brewers was good, this one was at least as efficient, and he spotted his pitches extremely well. I think they will do well to limit him to 7 innings a start if at all possible, assuming he gets some decent run support the second half….
Nothing more than some shameful plugs and cross-promotion for Ratto and his new gig with CSN
I’m surprised little sweaters don’t pop-up on the bottom right-hand side of the TV announcing his next appearance.
Big start for the Zitmeister tomorrow, we’l see if Bochy lit a fire under his ass. Niese is no chump.
“Hank Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets that a ‘top Royals talent evaluator’ was on hand for the Mets/Giants game at AT & T Park tonight…”
Flavor, we’ll go ahead with the contest. Maybe you can post the entrants tomorrow.
Yeah, I think pulling him with one out short of the win might have woken his ass up. That and the previous lead he blew in Colo.
Pitch count pitch count pitch count. Fuckers regularly at 90 by the 5th.
Sanchez and Cain are falling into this trap as well.
FWIW, I kept my prediction from before the season started . . .
Can anyone tell me anything about Dejesus?
I could be wrong, but I thought the pivotal play in the game happened early, when one of the Mets smoked a deep drive to centerfield that would have gone out of just about every other ballpark, but was caught at the wall at AT&T. It’s the kind of thing that just seems to deflate opposing teams in that ballpark. OUR team is used to it (mostly), but the opposing team always gets that look on their face, like…..oh man, this series is going to be a grinder. That’s right! Giants baseball is torture, man, and you Mets are in the TORTURE CHAMBER now!
“outfileld is in bullshit shape. Nice *sell-out* job on the McCartney concert.”
On the plus side, though, as owners of the stadium, the Giants make money renting out the stadium for events like this. And that’s money that can be used to help pay off the stadium. Or to eat Rowand’s contract. Whatever works. (grin)
Nice bit by Amy G. on Wilson’s garish shoes in the All-Star game. And the line she quoted from Timmy was funny. I can’t remember the exact quote, but Timmy said something like: “Wilson’s shoes were loud and confusing.”
Been having issues, concerns of another brain tumor. The next MRI is still waiting insurance approval ( early August), we’re going to see about getting a CAT scan while we wait on the MRI approval. Maybe next week. Definitely a bummer.
Sorry to hear the news, Twin. You will be in my thoughts, and as always, I wish you the best.
Sorry to hear the news, TF. I’ll keep a good thought.
mighty mighty oak
towering regal and proud
though laden stand strong.
Man, keep up the good fight, twin . . .
Twin, hope everything is okay.