And on the 5th Day, God Created a Loss…..
Here it comes. Can you feel it? Right now it’s just a few leaves blowing around outside, the faintest wind is starting to kick up. But it’s coming. By 7:10pm he’ll stride to the top of the hill in the middle of a raging hurricane of bad luck, broken promises and fake hustle. The team hasn’t won a game he’s pitched in since August 11th…….
I was surprised to look at the overall team win totals when each of the 4 starts have pitched this year.
Dirrrrty: team has won 19 times that he’s pitched
Timmy: also 19 times
Cain: 16 wins
Zito: 14 wins…..
The team has won 14 times when Zito’s pitched this year? I had to check to see if those were the team wins for his career. It wasn’t, it was for 2010. Zito is kryptonite to the “W”. And yet, somehow we’ve won 14 times this year when he’s taken the hill.
The team has won games that Zito has pitched in this year. Just keep reminding yourself of that fact tonight if you start thinking about “Zito’s Law” during tonight’s game……..
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
I think SD winning last night actually is good for us. Pops that winning streak and if San Diego splits the next two and we win these first two we end up in first place and 3 games ahead of the Rockies.
Go Junk!
he *did* start out with an unprecedented (for him) 5-0 record this year. Of course, when ya haven’t won since July, that gets forgotten in September pretty easily. Basically, he’s only good for half a season, with previous ones being the latter half, and this year, the reverse. In my line of work, I’d only get half a paycheck if I did that.
…or fired!
Funny end of the thread last night….Boris Karloff (loved the show he hosted “Thriller”), Chiefs (Yeah! Return guys reminded me of Noland Smith), Pads-Rox (I’d rather see the team ahead of us lose than the one behind us), and Franchez, who got lauded by Henry in today’s Chron, and Sabean along with him for the signing.
SF middle IF is going to be a big issue 2011. FS is basically the same deal as Ishi—can you afford to play a good glove guy that doesn’t have much O (and who has proven it in way more ABs than Ishi has had)? He doesn’t have much trade value, but is he really worth keeping around for 500 ABs a year at $6 mill? Would Burriss and Fontenot give you equal value for less dinero? If they can squeeze another year out of Uribe, where does he play?
If Sf can win a couple more of Zwuss starts down the stretch it would be pretty huge. Keep Furcal and Kemp in the park and get the LHs ( much more dangerous hitters) out!
I don’t know about fake hustle, but his bravado is definitely fake, and so fucking fragile. When he starts nibbling with that slop away and gets behind in the count/giving up BBs I just want to say, “If you don’t want to pitch get the fuck off the mound”. When he can spot the fastball either way in or just off the plate low, and get guys out with the killer curve and change he’s fine, and he’s done that to LA in the past. Other times he is just sin cojones and scared, hiding behind the glove in front of his face.
Well, that lead in *kind* of gives hope, Flav. I could feel worse.
As usual, nice discourse willied.
And, yeah.
Karloff rules!!
Off to work. Federal examiners in for the next two weeks. Half my age. Straight out of college. And telling me what to do.
You are so right – – nice one Flav. Go Giants!
We just went through a 5 week deep audit by the corporate head office. Things like brushing less than twice a day and having a messy desk were not over looked. But we passed on (most) of the big things! Unfortunately our HR dept couldn’t come up with my work visa/permits (their fault not mine) and ended up having to have EVERY employee bring in passports, birth certificates, etc. to prove they are legal. I feel so guilty.
I say the Giants continue to weane themselves of relying on the Vets, Good bye Rowan, Rent, and Sanchez.
…that would include Huff and Burrell, too??
Dennis, I always thought the Grinch bore a striking resemblence to former yankee pitcher, Ramiro Mendoza.
Did Mendoza have a heart that was two sizes too small as well? Or did he just stink, stank, stunk?
Oh, and another thought.
If Ines Sainz wants to be taken seriously as a television sports “jounalist”, she might, perhaps, cut down the internet thong posing to, oh, I don’t know, say…100 photos a year?
Okay, compromise, 150.
And stay out of Maxim magazine!!
what is this Maxim you speak of?
I wrote “fake hustle” mostly cause I used it to describe Franchez last night, and I think the term is funny. Zito used to fool me with his confidence— he would LOOK like he owned the field when he was out there or in the dugout on games he pitched. But I agree with you WillieD– I’ve come to believe that it’s just a cover up for some emotional fragility. He probably is trying to trick himself into believing something about himself that isn’t there— throwing a fastball 84 mph will make you do some crazy things…..
I have always had a soft spot for a finesse pitcher throwing rainbow curves and winning the battle against better batters painting the black. Zito reminds me how foolish that is. There are very few top pitchers that do that and so many that miss. Damn!
…I would guess that dropping from one of the best pitchers to one of the most reviled, would have an effect on one’s confidence. Just a guess…
I can’t believe players actually have to talk to these types like romo did right before kick off to the hideously frightening Andrea Kramer, and then afterward too. TV $$$ taking over everything is seriously fucked up. Add another team to the WC and they’ll be playing the WS at Thanksgiving.
But…I asked this last year…if you had a chance to do Wendy Nix, glasses on or off?
Definately on.
The first time
Even if we had to talk about the Niner/Seahawk debacle, I could find some time to spend with any of these:
http://tinyurl.com/2aogw6k Nix (glasses on)
http://tinyurl.com/2blqard Alex Flanagan
http://tinyurl.com/24tj6rn Jenn Brown
you are easily amused.
I like your amusements!
There is an older picture of her as a brunette, so blonde or brunette??
Here we are. Zito time again. His most recent outing, against the Snakes, was not awful. It was almost good. Almost won’t hack it against Kershaw. Dude is tough. What the Giants do have going, though, is momentum. On the other side, the LaBumbos are slip, sliding away. They mailed it against Dago last week. There was no there, there. Of course, they will kick it up a notch while facing the Giants. Usually happens. So they may be a spiteful team at this point, but their mood is somewhere between sullen and lackadaisical.
Too bad SF lacks its early strike force due to that timely appendicitis attack. So the challenge is even greater for Torres’ teammates to pick up the magic. I like the way Huff and Posey did it against Latos. Set the tone for the game right there. First or even second inning runs for the Giants would be huge tonight.
It probably was best that the Dagos crushed the Rox last night. That ten game winning streak and Colorado was getting a bit uppity. They deserved a quick, hard jab to the jaw and got it, mostly from Tejada of all people. Tonight i’d prefer to see the Rox pop it to the Dagos~ in any event a split of their next two.
Kershaw, Lilly and Billingsley: Zito, Cain and Sanchez. I think the Giants take two of three, mainly because of a better LU and deeper squad. Someone will come through. This bunch has a bit of fire in their eyes. Unlike in the early part of the decade, after ’02, anyway, SF does not depend on just one or two guys for their offense. Clobber Kershaw. Bout time he got his comeuppance.
I also find it hard to believe the Gyros won 14 games so far when Zito starts. Nonetheless, I gotta give LA the upper hand in this game, like I would any opposition, when Zitoid toes the bump. Like BF’s thread a few days back, ZenMan either pitches well and the team plays like a dog, or they get him runs, and he gives up at least one more than they get him. He does tend to pitch better at home, though, at least it seems that way. Alright, maybe I’ll go Polly and call it a toss-up tonight…
Kind of sad when one has to state a toss-up is going polly
When Zitoid pitches, sadness is always just a turned-around 83 mph heater away…
Enough with Zito!! Who is/should be the lead off hitter, will Bochy mix it up for the rest of the year or will he settle on one person. I think he should pick one and stick with it. But I am not sure who.
That’s setting yourself up, Kevin. Say, just throwing it out there, Bochy *does* decide on Rowand today, and there’s a good chance he will. Should he stick with it?
…I think he should pick one and stick with him.
Stick with the one that hung ya?
eddacker, was your Maxim question serious? They don’t have it accross the pond?
Girly mags? Maxim is one I have heard of.
every paper in this country has a “page three” girl
http://www.page3.com/girls_home.shtml
A fine Englsih tradition
That made my day so much better. Thanks Ed.
…I don’t think there are any nudes in Maxim, unlike the Page 3 Girls.
More reason to hate the Jets. They hassled this reporter:
http://tinyurl.com/2vj6gfl
Just getting up, chuck?
Up, chuck? Upchuck? I get it . . .
Gee, never heard that one before . . .
You know what? Seriously, that was unintentional.
Just greeting the day, chuck?
OK, I am ecstatic, baseball is so hard to follow from here. And every effort to do so has paid dividends.
My projection of 92 wins this year is very so very in sight. My wish for 600 ball after the AS break got beat down. More than anything I am over joyed Timmy has shown it is not physical. And that 2 run single was .. priceless.
My mother’s family is from Fla and the Rays doing battle with the evil empire is more than cool.
As a NL guy the Phils have carried our banner well. On one of the other blogs I hang with I was met with disapproval saying they would win the east and our team would win the west. It was early August and it was all Braves and Pads then.
Also in August when it was reported that Sabean had given the SPs a tongue lashing it seemed like so much PR hype; looking at it now it was A++ on field and front office managing.
Speedy recovery for Andres, best wishes to Franchez and his decision to play to win at all costs. If my wife would let me I would gladly spend the $1500 for a game. Hell, I would even take overpriced PS tickets at ATT and watch the Giants beat the Phils. Sometimes you have to dream.
Only one thing left to say:
Humm Baby!
Good Call by this writer
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b5S2A
“Also in August when it was reported that Sabean had given the SPs a tongue lashing it seemed like so much PR hype; looking at it now it was A++ on field and front office managing.” Or the staff ERA fluctuates over the season, and they are simply pitching to their talent level. Last year, as late as September, the team ERA ranged between 3.46 and 3.63. Actually, it was PR hype.
When the starting pitching excels or when it fails, the blame goes probably 70% pitcher, 20% catcher, 10% pitching coach.
That’s with Molina, Flavor. With Posey, it’s 90-0-10.
I pointed to a Baseball Prospectus article a few days ago that basically dispels the notion that the catcher has any real influence over how well a staff pitches. There are just random variations from season to season.
I’m going to bless you all with a repost from the Splash. If you’re not a Bieber Boy, ignore it:
“Honest to Jehoshaphat, if Justin Bieber was in town we’d have idiots wanting him leading off tonight. Do you people still mix your peas and mashed potatoes together? Just asking…
Anyway, the schedule clearly favors our guys, they need to back it up on the field. If the Dodgers have even an ounce of pride left, they should be up for this set. The oddsmakers now favor the G’s, largely due to the schedule and what is now the dominant pitching staff in the West:
Giants 4-5
Pads 3-2
Rocks 5-2
If the other side is stealing signs, location, grips, and things don’t get adjusted, then there’s plenty of blame to dump on several coaches.
These guys want it both ways, James. Buster has zero responsibilty for poor pich selection, yet the Snarkkmeister for example, will note what a good game he called when they pitch well. Anyway, if you’re right, Panda should caatch next year, period. Buster to first, Huff to left, get a third baseman…
Only a couple years ago it was 90 percent Rags, 10 percent Molina.
Hey, if Pablo can deliver a ~30% CS rate, and limit the PB to 10 or so, he’d be fine as the starting catcher. The point is that one catcher’s “handling” of the staff is not measurably better than another’s at the major league level.
Michael, that is interesting, given the PR hype at ST 2009: Panda was the hitter of the future had to be moved from behind the dish and Posey was the catcher of the future. It was a no brain-er from what I heard.
I have also heard that in the battery the pitcher works the most and the catcher knows the most with the coaches giving the tweeks while the on field manager puts it all together. Or so I’ve heard. At the show none of those are easy jobs.
They may have to gamble on which one will hit better on a career path that gradually descends into a no-brainer state.
I realize this was further up on the thread, but…
Justin Bieber?
He is the 15 year old that has the hots for one or all of the Kardashian women
Oh no. Thanks Kevin but I know who he is. It’s only that…Justin Bieber???
I think unless the manager is calling pitches, the catcher greatly influences a game, beyond what casual fans understand.
Most catchers call pitches, so they have to be prepared how they want to handle every batter. If the pitcher has crappy stuff or crappy command, the catcher can’t help much.
I have tried to call out Posey when he chose he wrong pitch for Zito
I think unless the manager is calling pitches, the catcher greatly influences a game, beyond what casual fans understand.
Most catchers call pitches, so they have to be prepared how they want to handle every batter. If the pitcher has crappy stuff or crappy command, the catcher can’t help much.
I have tried to call out Posey when he cho
se he wrong pitch for Zito in
I think unless the manager is calling pitches, the catcher greatly influences a game, beyond what casual fans understand.
Most catchers call pitches, so they have to be prepared how they want to handle every batter. If the pitcher has crappy stuff or crappy command, the catcher can’t help much.
I have tried to call out Posey when he chose the wrong pitch for Zito in that Dodger game and failure to see the stolen signs. I still think Posey will be the best catcher in NL next year and an All-Star for years to come as a catcher.
The question is: can you prove that one catcher has game calling skills that are measurably superior to that of another? The answer “no” has been provided by fans who are anything but casual.
Holy wireless run-ons…sorry
Yeah, yeah we fucking get your message
Lineup: Atleast Bochy isn’t stupid enough to lead off Rowand again.Although he’s still starting him.
Ross RF
Sanchez 2B
Huff 1B
Posey C
Burrell LF
Uribe SS
Sandoval 3B
Rowand CF
Zito P
Ahhh, the beauty of baseball. Every game is its own little dramatic mystery
Ted, I wouldn’t know except I have a 17 year old daughter who thinks he is all fake.
You should be proud of that daughter of yours. He is all fake. In fact, I think Justin Bieber is really a 27 year old lesbian.
Talk about a fake hustle . . .
Current Odds:
Giants 4-5
Pads 3-2
Rocks 5-2
That’s actually logical considering the three teams remaining schedules
that was one of the line ups I saw him running out there– water buffalo defense just can’t happen without Torres. Ross leading off? Alright whatever. It worked for Bochy when he wrote Rowand into that spot a couple of years ago, maybe it works this time too. Jeez, that is one slow ass team though. With Franchez limping I hope Bochy has the good sense to sit him if he starts going 0-fer again…
Never fear, the Bochy way is best.
Well, flav, that way they can get Fontenot in the leadoff spot.
Ross has pretty good speed. And he’s “due”..
Rowand is also a very good CFer, no gazelle but he takes good routes. Stuff will fall in front of him but not much gets over his head. Defensively, this is a push on Torres/Guillen…
I also like taking the chance on Ross. Definitely not a high OBP type, but he’s a younger and better player than Guillen.
No surprise Rohand is starting, nor where he is in the LU. Having him leadoff anymore is death and pestilence in a silly ass stance. The OF defense is below average tonite, but not horrific. Shots to left center are a concern. They can’t put Guillen in Ross’ spot, then that would be asking for trouble with the two buffaloes. Ross needs to sack up. He looked good at the plate as soon as he got here, then squat since…
Seem like the choice was really Guillen or Burrell with Burell being the obvious decision. Bochy has a roster full of hacking low OBP sticks. Running Ross out there is his best stab at it. That said. I like it.
That’s the lineup I actually expected to see, but if the lack of speed and defense bites them tonight, I’d still like to see Boch give Ford a shot in center and leading off with Ross in the 8-hole. Ford’s bat can’t be any worse than Rowand’s if he goes 0-fer again.
This LU is no slower as a group than the one with Burrell/Torres/Guillen…
Defense? Same.
Well if they really want an OF with speed they would go Ross/Ford/Scheirholtz but that would never happen under Bochy.That’s too quick of a team for his likings.
Schierholtz and Ford against Kershaw? That ain’t happening.
Burrell is one of the biggest reasons the Giants are in the hunt. He and Posey basically rescued the team’s offense. Taking him out of the line up to improve the team speed would be, uh, boneheaded.
…don’t forget about Huff. Since he figured out how to hit at China Basin, he’s been ‘the man’.
Dumbfuck post again, Kat.
I wonder who drew the short straw to explain all this to guillen….
Torres. They’re counting on the pity card
The question is actually what Henry paid Shea to be the one to post the LU on the Splash.. Guillen will probably be back in tomorrow. As I told you, there will be several combinations. Ford, Nate, and Velez might all still get a start or two.
LU not going over real well there, huh?
Tampa erases 6-0 deficit and it doesn’t mean a goddam thing. Even the NL doesn’t feel like a pennant race to me (yet). Just a bunch of contenders jockeying for position.
My money’s on Calvin hugging the rail.
Only if he’s on his home field, Del. In NY we used to have Tony “The Rail” Graell. I think he got the nickname just cause it rhymed. A Finger Lakes rider named Joe Badamo had one of the great jockey nicknames: “One O’Clock Joe” He got it because he had a knack for winning the first race of the day. On a less inspiring note, there is the nickname NY racing fans had for Cordero & Velasquez for about a quarter of a century: The 2 monkeys
This concludes today’s jockey history segment of the pre-game show.
I haven’t bashed tonight’s lineup yet. That’s not a good sign for the home team.
Start bashing then!
…do what ya gotta do to win!!!
Loo that 6:46pm post was the most interesting thing I was exposed to all day…….
Just killing time till the game, boss.
Surely my posts provided the day’s most interesting expostulations.
How’d you like my Chiefs last night, Flav?
Your Chiefs will have the distinct pleasure of sending my Niners to 0-3.
I’ve never been so disappointed and depressed after an opening season loss before in my life.
“The San Francisco Forty Niners are now on the clock…”
Tonight’s lineup sucks more than the Niners!
I wasn’t gonna let you guys down.
That DP ball by Ethier attoned for Zito’s sin of walking Furball. Nice to see a DP on the other side for a change.
Heh heh heh. He never touched him.
Kemp is hilariously bad at trying to steal a base
This just hit me: rowand is going to step up huge right now. Torres has sucked for a month. He gets hurt. Now rowand steps in to pick up the slack. All the pieces of a championship season are falling right into place. I’m dead serious about this, rowand is going to a huge piece of the puzzle from here on out. We can thank torres and his appendix….
Come on Juan, hit this fucker
I hate Blake.
Wow. The lon
Wow. The longer this goes on, the scarier this gets.
Someone get a hit . . .
This is not looking like a good night to give up 1 run…
uh uh
On the other hand, Zito’s fastball seems to be creeping towards a respectable 90
Satan’s preoccupied
Kershaw has a perfect game going.
Nice move dennis
JINX!
Good news and bad news: it’s looking like the Zitster will have a good September. Bad news: that would insure that Bumgarner does not start in the postseason.
“our bats go silent”— definitely one of the main zito law theorems. Don’t sweat this dudes. I have had an epiphany and it is Aaron rowand. He’s healthy (he’s gotta be he hasn’t done shit for months) and torres and his slump have been taken out by this random appendectomy. I’m telling you, this is fate. Rowand will lead the charge to a division title. Book it.
Game’s half over in 45 mins.
Zito making that POS Blake look silly atleast.
It seems this guy Kershaw hasn’t allowed a hit or a run. Is that a no hitter?
Can you believe it? No one has gotten a hit off this guy.
He is pitching a no hitter
Why isn’t Kent also the answer if he and Snow both did it in 1997? Are they fuckin’ stupid or something?