1-1 Coming to SF But Problems Loom
Going to Philly and taking one was the major goal and that’s been accomplished. We are in prime position to snatch back the momentum with Cain going tomorrow. But there are some concerns:
1) Andres Torres. 12 k’s in 25 playoff at bats (4 last night). That’s not going to fly at the top of the order. He is swinging a 35 inch 37 ounce bat– a bat that got HEAVIER as the season went along (he went up 2 ounces near the end of the year). I’m sorry, but that’s just stupid. Either take more adderall or start swinging a lighter bat.
2) third base. If this is what Fontenot is going to give us I’d rather trot Kung Fu Panda out there. He can’t be worse defensively and there’s at least a ray of hope that Pablo will run into one now and again……
3) Huff. He has to start hitting. Having your 1 and 3 hitters giving you absolutely nothing is the main reason it feels like we can’t score runs right now….
4) Move Ross up in the line up until he cools off…….
There’s a very decent chance that we sort ourselves out just with the return to ATT. But watching Huff and Torres flail away last night, it just doesn’t feel like that’s gonna be enough…….
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Of course it dawned on me last night ater I made my comment about Torres that I forgot all about the appendectomy. he is definitely not the same since he came back.
So it is hard to blame him, but if he is not producing, you just cant put up a sure out at eladoff. Fontenot is not a natural third baseman and it shows.
Wouldn’t it be great that Panda comes back to start and goes on a tear????
But of course we are going to throw the Panda against a lefty in Hamels but I think you gotta make the move. But this is time against a lefty to shake the lineup up, but keep Ross right there hitting 6th and load up the righties.
I have made the argument often that Huff really should always be hitting 5th behuind a more natural cleanup hitter in Burrell and Posey is a high contact hitter that is probably best off hitting third. Phillies made a tweak to their lineup and it was successful. We need to come back in Game 3 with a new wrinkle:
1) Rowand – CF (what the hell)
2) Franchez – 2B
3) Posey – C
4) Burrell – LF
5) Huff – 1B
6) Ross – RF
7) Renteria/Uribe – SS
8) Orson the Panda – 3B
9) Citiizen Cain (Liek that tie-in?) – P
Orson and Citizen Cain—:lol:
I hate it when the goddamn gay-ass smiley faces don’t work. Talk about gay-ass.
Let’s try that again, because your 8th and 9th hitters deserve it.
Orson and Citizen Cain 😆
An appendectomy does not explain the horrible AB’s Torres has had throughout the postseason. He is just flailing at pitches right now, and is rarely even putting the ball in play. It’s obvious he’s pressing to the point of hurting the team.
The top of the lineup needs to start producing and they need to do it now, otherwise this is going to be a short series. Rowand? Renteria? I don’t know, but something needs to be done.
instead of rowand, what about ross in center leading off and nate in right? Rowand has more pop potential but i just don’t see him making much contact.
Best wishes to Michael. Hope you’re feeling a lot better.
I’m ready to go all in with Pablo and pray he lights things up. Granted he’s not done that well against lefties, but he does hit well at home. And if Uribe’s not 100%, he’s the only alternative.
Think Rowand will start and hit 8th and Ross will lead off.
What about just swapping Franchez and Torres in the line up??
All valid issues as far as LU is concerned, but….there aren’t any Wellemeyers out there this time of year. You are going to face good pitchers, the top dogs on the best teams, no cupcakes anywhere. Whomever starts has to deal with it, regardless of how often you’ve played lately.
And SF has just as good a pitching as anyone left standing. Sanchez dominated last night, despite all the BS props to Philly “strategy”. He got squeezed big time in first, and the only contact they made was one very playable ground ball , and he struck out Vic, Werth and Ibanez (who also doesn’t have a hit yet). After that, one run, no walks til d and the pen melted down behind him.
Good points Willie, and what is up with the bullpen? that is the second time they have done that. Matt’s game against Atlanta. IMO the bullpen has not lived up to its reputation.
Sanchez pitched really well last night. He fought through his own control issues and getting squeezzed.
Lots of stories of how the phillies “pounded” The Giants last night but it didn’t look that way to me. They got the key hits that they needed late but it wasn’t quite a blood bath.
Whether Uribe is good or not I think you’ve got to run Sandoval out there regardless of lefty or righty. I’m not too worried about F. Sanchez. His swing looks like it is coming around.
Shit, I’m thinking they should give Rowand a start. Torres is completely lost. He was behind EVERY fastball he saw from Oswalt. Use a lighter bat. Huff stays. Panda vs lefty? Shit, that’s a tough call, but Font has been off as well. Give Panda a shot. I was sutrprised he didn’t get the start last night.
Another Chronicle baseball writer evidently lurks around the Flap. In his game notes John Shea used a term i have employed several times in describing Cody Ross: “The accidental Giant”.
Somehow, the national sports media is yet to discover this blog ~ or currently ignores it. Like Yahoo’s listings for various team blogs does carry McCovey Chronicles, which is a so-so/ fair site, but which lacks the incisive clout accomplished by the several regular posters on One Flap Down.
Not to mention the general smartassity
Is “smartassity” a word? If not, it should be. I like that word. Being a A-1 smart ass myself, it hits home.
Sweet twinnie, I just saw your posts – how awful for you! I hope you are feeling better this morning, and that Lisa was in fact there this morning. As always, my thoughts are with you.
amen. let us know how you’re doing.
They sure don’t make it easy. Bumps in the road are constant. Torres is currently clueless. Waaay too bad, but that’s how it is right now. GH: Some good ideas in your opener. I could go with that lineup for tomorrow night.
Caught snatches of the game at the local pub last night and found out once again that there has been some bad parenting out there. The young gal behind the bar is clueless about baseball and wanted to run some meaningless NFL game on the telly. Finally got her to come around on it and then a bit later a youngish guy wants football, so the channel gets switched back and forth.
My point is that many of the 20 somethings don’t know a thing about the National Pastime because football is more suited to the video medium with its hard-charging action and because their 40 something parents raised them on the NFL and all its hype. During one stretch of baseball coverage, though, i was able to give explanatory coverage to a young native dude sitting next to me. His game (and his build) is all football, but in those few minutes of explaining the nuances of the game to him, he may have opened his mind somewhat to the subtlety and finesse of the world’s greatest sport.
With the fall of the Niners, and rise of the Giants, we should be seeing more young baseball fans around the bay in coming years. I know that growing up during the 80s, I was a bigger football fan primarily because of the 49ers’ success and Giants’ failure.
I’ll admit to that as well, somewhat. Not the *whole* ’80’s but certainly the early part of the decade.
Just throwing it out there..But if Uribe’s wrist doesn’t respond.There is a chance he could be replaced for the rest of this series.You can’t even discount Guillen, as Bochy has said, i wouldn’t rule him out as an injury replacement being added for him,or better yet add some speed in Velez,Burris,or Ford instead would work out better for me.
Another thing disturbing right now is Philly is running wild on the bases right now. Sanchez did a terrible job not holding Utley close,needed to stop him from a walking start,and then use a quick slide step.And the double steal they pulled off in the 7th wasn’t even contested WTF.
Rowand should start in center tomorrow, but Ross should be the leadoff hitter. If Uribe can go, he plays third with Renteria at SS. No Uribe, Panda plays third.
3 bagger…I think Panda starts no matter what tomorrow.He has good numbers against Hamels 3-9 .333 HR, Double, walk, and get this NO K’s in the 9 AB’s.I doubt Uribe will go,swung at 2 pitches in the cage in Philly and said the second swing was extremely painful.Ross definitely should Lead off,he has 4 Career Homers off of Hamels.Get him as many AB’s as possible.right now.Rownads in batting 7th or 8th.
Torres may still be in an injured state after that rapid return from his appendectomy. Do we really know the status of Rent and Uribe? Point i’m coming to is that maybe it’s time to bring Velez into the roster. Yes, he’s flaky. But he’s also dynamic. Fifty-fifty shot, maybe, of either possibility. But with the health of those three being tentative at best and a couple of others not really holding up their end of the offense, maybe it’s time for a gamble on a shakeup.
I’d say yes to Rowand over Torres at this point, but no to Velez. Panda over Font? It’s a wash at this point, as Font is doing less than nothing.
Panda gets a shot.
I still haven’t seen anywhere in the media any report on Rent having a torn left bicep. Buck unceremoniously announced that last night during the one inning I actually left the sound on. I thought his elbow was still giving him issues, now he has a torn bicep? How can you swing a bat with a torn bicep? Where is Baggs on this?…
Some of the reports about Renteria’s recent trip to the DL said it was left bicep injury. Buck last night made no sense. How does anyone swing the bat at all with a terribly torn left bicep? Wouldn’t happen. I agree it would be nice to get some clarification. Neither Rent nor URBI are healthy right now.
OK, I revised my lineup a little for Game 3. Assuming Juan can’t play.:
Rent-SS
little runt-2B
Huffster-1B
Buster-C
The Bat-LF
NLCS MVP Cody-RF
Rowand-CF
my little fat friend Orson Welles-3B
Big Horse in the Barn
I know the prevailing thinking is to bat Ross lead off, but I want our biggest bat in the middle to hopefully drive more home when he homers. And Rent at lead off ain’t so bad. I seem to recall he did once or twice this year. He gives good, long ABs and might “peck away and work the walk.”
That’s my lineup for Game 3 and I’m sticking to it.
For now.
I just checked the numbers; Rent has 3 Ws vs Hamels (.250) in 24 ABs, Ross just one in 30. But as we all know, Ross has the power numbers vs Cole. I like my version. And I’d really like it if the skipper went my way as well. I could bash my own shitty lineup. I’d encourage you guys to follow along in the bashing. I can take it.
NO Whitey?
When you look at this squad as a non Giants fan, it is a wonder it is where it is. Objectively, this lineup’s hitting is for shit, regardless of how you move the deck chairs, and has been for most of the last 2 months. There, I said it. Doesn’t mean I don’t like the squad. Just that it is amazing they are where they are. To get here and go forward, the pitching has been and must continue be other worldly…
btw, Torres could continue to use a 37 oz bat effectively if it were 18″ long. Then maybe he could bunt.
Xooty, I know I’m a broken record on bunts and the Giants, but whatthehell. A guy like Torres that from the left side can get to first in a nanosecond, and just a bit longer from the right side — I just don’t understand how he can be 32 years old and not be a deft bunter. With his skill set, that should be a given in order to get himself, keep himself in the big leagues. His latest attempt a few games back was horrible in technique and result. I would take 4 bunt attempts and 4 force outs at first over a golden sombrero. At least you’re making the defense make a play. Sigh….
Swinging a bigger bat after the grind pf a long season, plus the appendectomy issues is stupid. he needs to get a smaller bat.
He (and Huff as well) was behind just about every Oswalt fastballl.
Maybe he’s fallen in love with hitting homers. He needs to swing the sequoia to get it into the seats. Swing the alder instead and get some hits. When you’re flailing this bad, I find it hard to believe a leadoff hitter won’t change something, do anything, like using a lighter bat, try some bunts, to actually get on base and start the offense. I’m wavering now on Rohand. Maybe Torres should start anyway. Rohand means worse defense in center, worse speed on the bases, plus face it, all he brings to the batters box is a faint hope he might get a hit. He’s just as likely to strike out as Torres, and more likely to hit into a DP…
Make that the ash, of course. Alder is good for smoking salmon, though…
Smoking salmon? Is that a new baseball allegory? Like:
“Man, that Cody Ross! Is that due smoking salmon or what?”
Uhm..dude
I missed the thread two threads ago. Oracle, good luck on this current adversity. You can beat it, ya fuckwad…
Has anyone heard from Michael today? Anyone know how he’s doing?
I say stick with Torres. It can only get better.
Was it 4 Ks last night? What the hell do you call that? A chalupa combo?
Dirt…I say Torres needs to sacrifice a live chicken….
HAHA, or at least a bucket of the colonel’s original. Or was it extra crispy?
Torres still looks like he’s hurting from surgery. The play he made on that single to center last night looked very awkward. In the past that’s a ball he dives at and probably catches. His last stolen base attempt didn’t look riight either. His slide into second wasn’t fluid, more herky-jerky. Seems like he slowed up a bit before laying out. Rowand is a solid center fielder…not better than Torres when he’s healthy, but is he much worse when he’s not? However, I don’t see Rowand getting it done at leadoff. Ross has some experience leading off and is white hot right now. It would be nice to have him in a better RBI position, but right now, there’s no better option at lead off…unless we want to discuss Velez, but I don’t want him anywhere on defence at this stage in the season.
Freddie is a leadoff option, too.
Career leadoff stats for the folllowing:
Sanchez: http://tinyurl.com/233hlet
Renteria: http://tinyurl.com/24yr5jv
Ross: http://tinyurl.com/2fhhzxk
Rowand: http://tinyurl.com/2abj483
Moderate this, pal.
Moderator? I’ll take Bill Buckley Jr. and the Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 please.
This is what Bruce Bochy must say to Darren Ford everyday:
You may run like Hayes,but you hit like shit.
Does he really hit like shit? I mean, I know he’s no Posey but is he really that bad? His minor numbers aren’t nauseating or anything and his SB totals are frikkin phenomanal
Torres came back from surgery and he was ok–got some hits, hit a bomb, stole a couple bases….the “surgery excuse” doesn’t fly. He’s been whore- fucking–rrific in the playoffs. He wasn’t this bad at the time he got back from surgery which is when u would expect him to not be ready….
Twin, you know that we have your back right now….
I’ve always credited Flapper Power for whatever success there has been this far…
Baseball: I think they have to give Rowand the start against Hamels and Panda for Fontenot, Uribe goes if he’s healthy.But I think Matt steps up bigtime: CG Jack Morris-like outing….
last thread
Bless you, Michael. Is Spunk really your middle name?
I’ve been lucky- through it all I’ve been able to make the decisions. Many are not so fortunate. I talked about this- if you are able never trust it to the system, get second opinions, referrals, reasearch your condition and ASK questions. You’d be astounded at the numbers- people who do what I’m telling you do FAR better in every category. readmissions, medical errors, DEATH, everything.
Texas spanks the Yanks tonight.
Grand Tetons spanked a single to drive in one of the four Texas has plated vs the Evil Empire in the top of the 9th. Yankees, for all their payroll, got shit for a bullpen. Go figure. Looks as if Bengie intends going out in a wave of glory. Can you imagine the state of shock in the Bronx right about now. Big Cliff Lee has held them on two hits through 8.
Is Bud Selig pleased that the ALCS is on TBS?
yankess stadium got a hell of a jolt. You’d almost think it was Loma Prieta in da Bronx!
Cliff Lee’s throttling the big bats of the Evil Empire tonight should serve as an inspiration to Matt the Horse tomorrow night as he faces the lumberyard of the Beast From the East
How do you spell “loyal fans” in the Bronx? E-M-P-T-Y S-E-A-T-S I-N T-H-E 9TH.
I’m beginning to wish really hard we play the Yankees if we advance. Washngton has Rangers playing just like the Angels: run…on anything. Is Cliff Lee one cool customer, or what? Whew.
I think it’d be kinda nice to not have an East Coast team in it at all … what would ESPN ever talk about. Maybe they’d just get Selig to cancel it.
34 Ks, 1 BB for Lee this postseason. Not a bad day at the office.
That Texas tromping of the Evil Empire at Yankee Stadium was one heavenly humping. Might have to face those guys soon, though. Like the Yankees they have a good closer, but a pretty mushy BP aside from Feliz. Pawlie, didja notice how Lee damned near matched Timmy’s gem against Atlanta, being only one K and one inning short of the Freaky feat?
Just shocking that the Phils would ever have traded Cliff Lee.Lucky for the Giants facing Halladay Lee Oswalt Hamels would really be alot to overcome.
welcome back twin. Let’s stay off the IR until after the San Francisco Giants win the WS. You’ll enjoy the celebration.
Michael, check the last thread.
All the rest, it’s between me and twin. A misunderstanding
God, I’m such a jerk. That came off wrong as well. I posted something that came off as insensitive on the last thread. Of course, all you regulars can read it…otherwise I wouldn’t have posted it here on the Flap.
So…
how ’bout them Giants?
I’ll shut up now. Goodnight, gentlemen (present company excepted)
Ted – now that you’ve got yourself all twisted into knots, you’re well prepared to take in tomorrow’s game. We all know you’re a sweetie, and wouldn’t purposely be a jerk…accidentally? Well, it’s not for me to say. ;P
So Susan Slusser over at the Splash (she’s doing a great job with the updates and in-game reports) said the hints were Rent will play regardless, and if Juan’s healthy Bochy said he’s gonna play. I really can’t see Bochy replacing Franchez at second with Juan-Gone. So what position does that leave for my fat little friend? That’s right, the old dreaded–left out.
I wanna see the fat kid play tomorrow. I just have this funny feeling he’s gonna catch on fire when our lineup needs him, someone or anyone else not named Cody to catch on fire. And it’s a day game, Orson running around the bases three or four times after each hit might help shed a pound or two. It’s a win–win for everybody.