Wrapping up the NL West on July 20th….

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on July 21, 2011

Man, I thought I had seen a gruesome replay when I saw the Posey injury. Then I saw Stephen Drew’s injury at the plate last night. Wow, that was significantly worse. And the sick bastard that I am, I think I watched it about 10 times slowing it down frame by frame. I also watched the 2 girls/1 cup thing. That one I actually regret watching…..

I was never worried about AZ for a second, I figured they’d come in at or around .500 this year. With the loss of Drew, who actually has been hitting like crap for a while, my feelings on the D-backs haven’t really changed— at or around .500 by the end of the year…

The Dodgers are done, the Padres were done as soon as they traded A-Gon and the D-backs were never a threat. That leaves the Rockies and the only way they make a game of this is if they go on one of their 2nd half runs. Does anyone see that coming? Well, we didn’t see it coming when they did it before so I guess it’s possible……

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willieD said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:39 am

Interesting fangraphs article on the Phillies. Points out that a number of them are having sub-par offensive years, and they are not good defensively. Ryan Howard is listed as 0.8 WAR player, Rollins at .750 OPS, replacements for Werth all suck (Ibanez, Francisco, D Brown).
They are led to their excellent record by the 3 aces…whom FG notes are pretty comparable with 3 from SF, and doesn’t even factor in Vogs, league leader in ERA.
So…I’ll give Philly an advantage at 1b,2b,SS, C, and Victorino in the OF. SF is better in 3 positions of 8 (and Torres could make it 4), with excellent starters and killer pen, plus better defense.
Again, what is everyone so afraid of, and where have I heard this before?
- Kevin said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:42 am
  
  And what about Atlanta? There is a possibility that the Giants will have to play bothe Philly and Atlanta.
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:54 am

And it’s really hurt when Beltran gets traded to either the Phils or Braves and the Giants are left like Sonny’s brother coming out of the toilet with just his dick in his hands. (that was for Loo)
ewisco said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:58 am

not another fred mcgriff scenario!!
Rough Trade said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:16 am

When De La Rosa went down, so did Rockettes. Now the G’s just need to stay healthy.

G’s aren’t alone in not wanting to give up top prospects for a rental. I’d be surprised if Philly or Atl gives up blue chippers. And Milwaukee has none. I’d guess NY is left holding Beltran or surrenders him at the last minute for B prospects and the dough. Right now they are smart holding out, hoping someone panics for fear the other contender will jump in.
- willieD said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:23 am
  
  pretty interesting both these teams are trying to add offense…just like SF, they are unhappy with what they are getting from the OF.
Rough Trade said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:25 am

But don’t count out Pittsburgh doing something crazy. They are reportedly ready to deal prospects.
eddacker said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:40 am

Why do the BBs always stand in an unusual way?
No smile, but the blond hair looks real.
B+
TedSpe said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:42 am

Most recent…BB…ever
Sierra Nevada said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:51 am

Well, it happened. I got banned and my posts were deleted from the az snakepit blog. I wasn’t insulting, rude or profane. I didn’t celebrate Drew’s injury, or even mention Drew at all. But I did think that now was a good time to point out the the doucheyness words of the moderator, Jim McClellan, in the hours after Posey’s injury:

“Suck it, Giants fans. Suck it long. And suck it hard.”

From this post, written literally hours after Posey was injured:
http://www.azsnakepit.com/2011/5/26/2191846/buster-posey-and-the-joy-of-schadenfreude

I don’t really have any harsh feelings toward snakefans. But fuck that guy McClellan.
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:53 am

The goal of any team should be to be in it every year, As the Yankees and Braves have rather emphatically shown, winning the World Series every year is not realistic, regardless of team strength. Doing as Flavor has suggested and giving up blue chip prospects for short term rentals will guarantee that the goal of being in the hunt every year will never be achieved. It’s short sighted thinking, let’s hope Sabean doesn’t fall prey to it again…
.
ewisco said, on July 21, 2011 at 10:48 am

Pittsburgh might be falling into that trap as they grab for the brass ring. I think they would be foolish to trade their long term prospects for short term gains.

I suspect it’s premature to claim the division. I’ll believe the rocks are dead when I see the headless corpse.
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 11:03 am

I called it in March, why not now? You guys handle the worrying for me. Thanks.
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 11:17 am

If anyone would like to send a cordial E-Mail to Jim McClennan, the manager of the AZ Snakepit, and author of “Suck it, Giants fans. Suck it long. And suck it hard.” (after Buster’s injury)
azsnakepit@gmail.com
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 11:44 am
  
  I got banned immediately from the Pit, for quoting McClennan
- Sierra Nevada said, on July 21, 2011 at 11:46 am
  
  Good call twin. Much better and more direct than posting on his blog, and getting my ass banned and my posts deleted. I would also invite anyone who wishes, to post his words and his name and the situation together wherever it can be seen on the internet.
  
  Schadenfreude is natural, I have no problem with him on that score, but he crossed the line in that post, and I would really think it just if his words were followed him around for a while and haunt him on the intertubes, just to remind him that he has responsibilities as the manager of a large blog that go beyond driving traffic.
DJLoo said, on July 21, 2011 at 11:29 am

Sparky Lyle might’ve been the first ballplayer to have his own entrance music. Eddie Layton used play “Pomp and Circumstance” on the organ while Lyle was being driven in from the bullpen at Yankee Stadium about 40 years ago.
DJLoo said, on July 21, 2011 at 11:57 am

The Giants should’ve played “Sad But True” (Metallica) when Benitez came in…
- unca_chuck said, on July 21, 2011 at 12:38 pm
  
  Better yet would be Neil Young’s “Why Do I Keep Fucking Up?”
Sierra Nevada said, on July 21, 2011 at 1:05 pm

No POTG? Timmy gives up just the one run, Romo is nails, but no POTG?

Weird.
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 1:13 pm

Heresy- but I’d give it to Kershaw.
ewisco said, on July 21, 2011 at 1:21 pm

my nephew went to high school with kershaw in dallas.
- TedSpe said, on July 21, 2011 at 1:25 pm
  
  My nephew went to high school with kershaw in dallas once. Once!
  - blade3colorado said, on July 21, 2011 at 1:37 pm
    
    Pfffft!
unca_chuck said, on July 21, 2011 at 2:42 pm

Stewie should be POTG. He got 2 of the 3 hits off Kershaw . . .
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 2:45 pm
  
  Pre-warning track power.
  - unca_chuck said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:28 pm
    
    They were worm-burners . . .but hey, they got through.
DJLoo said, on July 21, 2011 at 2:56 pm

Has Bochy said how he plans to use Keppinger?
Wouldn’t either of the Dodger catchers be an upgrade for the Giants?
- Rough Trade said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:15 pm
  
  B said the plan is to play Kepp at 2nd and Font becomes the utility guy.
  
  Subj to change of course.
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:18 pm
  
  Maybe you missed Navarro’s “throws”…
  And Barajas?
  BA, OBP, OPS
  Barajas .209 .254 .620
  Whitey .238 .324 .717
  
  So, amazingly, our guys are better..
snarkk said, on July 21, 2011 at 2:56 pm

Timmeh probably took one look at yesterday’s SF lineup card and knew he’d need to allow 0 runs to win or at least get a ND. He was within one swing of getting it done…
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Giving up a splash hit to Navarro is inexcusable, even he acknowledged that. Kershaw was the better pitcher.
zumie said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:21 pm

The Rockies’ chances may have taken another big hit today. Gonzalez was in a lot of pain with a wrist injury after swinging the bat.
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:27 pm

The Rockies never had a chance…
- zumie said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:28 pm
  
  Well, we’ll likely never know now.
  - twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:33 pm
    
    I’ll just say that my contention, stated since March, that the Giants would not be challenged, looks a helluva lot better than the competing projections. If you’d like me to eat crow, you’ll need to wear new colors.
zumie said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:27 pm

The Braves have had a stellar year for rookies. Freeman, Kimbrel, and Beachy all look like legitimate major leaguers. Kimbrel especially seems to be making good progress. The Braves are sticking with him through thick and thin, like the Giants stuck with Wilson as he grew into the role, and it’s working out. Atlanta is again looking like they can give the Phillies a run for their money regarding the division title.
snarkk said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:36 pm

I agree.
Giving up one run in 7 innings IS totally inexcusable.
Damn that Lincecum. He sux….
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:41 pm

Didn’t say that, of course, just reiterated what Lincecum acknowledged. He knew, whatever the LU, that a low scoring affair was likely. He flinched first, as he said, and to a .200 hitter..
- Nipper said, on July 21, 2011 at 5:34 pm
  
  sniff…..
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 3:49 pm

After he looked at the LU, maybe he looked at his ring and thought of the robber baron Edgar Renteria…and two time CY winners with multimillion dollar contracts are not supposed to flinch first..
snarkk said, on July 21, 2011 at 4:57 pm

Yeah, I gotta admit, per MLB.com stats, Lincecum’s a damn deadbeat among NL starters.
Friggin slacker…

Whip: 16th
ERA: 8th
Innings pitched: 5th
Ks: 2nd
Opponent OPS: 10th
Avg Game Score 7th
Power/Finesse: (Ks + BBs)/ Innings): 1st
Run support / 9 innings: 4.62. Jurjens 6.07; Hamels 5.94; Halliday 5.38; Kershaw 5.38; Madbum: 4.78
- Nipper said, on July 21, 2011 at 5:33 pm
  
  Snarkk is keeping up with the numbers!
  - twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 5:44 pm
    
    I guess not.
Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 5:40 pm

Snarkk, are you sure you have that MadBum # right? A few starts ago the tv analysts listed him as the worst in the league at like 2.1 runs a game.
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 5:43 pm
  
  MadBum is 2.98
  Here’s the BP link:
  http://www.baseballprospectus.com/team_audit.php?team=sfn
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 5:41 pm

Why do you insist on misrepresenting what I post? That’s a serious character deficiency. Look, pal, you don’t think he merits criticism whether he gives up 1 or 6.,Now I was probably a little hard on him yesterday, as he did get beat by the better pitcher ( as of now). By WARP, BTW, he’s now our 3. You can argue with BP about it.

Bumgarner 3.5
Cain 2.7
Tim 2.5
Vogelsong 1.6

Position Players top 4: ( this changes daily)
Sandoval 2.5
Torres 1.2
Shierholtz 1.1
Ross 0.8
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 5:47 pm

Here’s the FanGraph’s value chart:
http://tinyurl.com/3hjmzw7
snarkk said, on July 21, 2011 at 5:55 pm

My bad, it was ESPN stats.
Here they are, exactly as I said.
http://tinyurl.com/3orgh3v

Funny how a supposed Giants fan makes great effort running down a starter that’s in the top 20 in the NL in most categories, and in the top 10 in some. Weird…
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:11 pm
  
  Go to his game logs, add the runs, divide….
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:05 pm

MadBum is at 2.98 as per Baseball Reference.As to Tim, ‘m not “running him down”, I’m presenting him honestly. Unlike Sharkles with his whipping boys.
Madbum receives 2.98 run support
http://tinyurl.com/3dteb5e
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:25 pm
  
  Hell, in the start before this one he gave up one run in 6, K’ed 7, 3 hits, and Craig said he pitched “like shit”. I just said he made a big mistake to a bad hitter..
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:10 pm

Looks like both are wrong- they have scored 63 runs in Madison’s 20 starts.
Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:23 pm

shouldn’t it just be run support while he’s pitching in a game? That would be more accurate……
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:27 pm

Talk to Baseball Reference.
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:28 pm

It ain’t gonna be Snarkkles number, regardless.
DJLoo said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:32 pm

Nice to have a little company in the serious character deficiency club…
snarkk said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:41 pm

None of the starters get run support. Lincecum is a top pitcher in the league in most categories and by any reasonable analysis. Arguing the methodology of the various stat sources is dumb, they’re variations on the same theme. But, not as dumb as ripping Lincecum for “flinching” by giving up one solo HR. If somebody hit a 2 run shot off Kershaw, the rest of us not trying to play the fake iconoclast would have celebrated a fine Lincecum performance and win.
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:49 pm
  
  ” But, not as dumb as ripping Lincecum for “flinching” by giving up one solo HR.”
  He said it.
  But now he’s a top TWENTY??!! That surprises me. It’s quite a come down.
  If someone hit a 2 run HR you would not celebrate the HR, only Tim’s victory despite the offense.
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:41 pm

Tmmy had two games where he left behind- giving up 5 in 6 innings, and 4 in 5 innings.They rallied after he left the games, to win 7-5 and 5-4. I’d say those runs count for support- he would have lost both games without them
- Nipper said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:44 pm
  
  A mind like a steel trap!
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:54 pm

When I pointed out the improved hitting in July ( now 6th in the NL in runs scored this month ), Snarkk put up where they stand including AL teams, a totally irrelevant figure. He’s dishonest. He did it only to make the numbers appear worse than they were.
Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 6:55 pm

Tim’s been awful this year, at least if you measure him by Cy Young standards. And when you’re using that stick it’s because you won one. Or two. He gets some slack but he’s been underwhelming this year. I’m hopeful that he re-starts his season at the level we are accustomed to. Between him, Huff, Torres and Ross who do you think is most likely to recapture their glory? I’d go Timmy, Torres, Ross, Huff………
snarkk said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Ah, when beaten to a standstill, raise the liar flag. Seems familiar for some reason.
No game tonite. I’m done.
BTW, just saw LAPD arrested two new guys for the Stow beating. Maybe they got the right scum this time…
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:02 pm
  
  Just fact, Snarkkles. I imagine it comes in handy for you.
  - twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:06 pm
    
    Lying, that is. Responding to an accurate post about their improved hitting this month by citing irrelevant numbers is indeed dishonest. You seem to come by that trait rather easily.
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:01 pm

“I’d go Timmy, Torres, Ross, Huff………” sounds about right, although Ross isn’t really off last year by much
http://tinyurl.com/2ag9wzf
wilcojoe said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:23 pm

So I brought up the Carlos Lee for Aaron Rowand salary swap to Charlie Pallilo on the local Houston sports talk station today…He said the Astros would do it in a heartbeat…Thought that the Astros would have to give the Giants about $2-$3mm in salary relief for it to be a real win-win…He said it was “hands down” the best Carlos Lee trade proposal he has heard.

Some key points we agreed on:
Astros perspective-
They save anywhere from $4-$6mm next year depending on if the Astros eat any of the salary
Rowand gets back to his comfort zone in a hitters park
Rowand’s “gamer” mentality helps younger players on the field and in clubhouse

Giants prospective-
Lee now with a contender, actually starts giving 100%
Has an offseason to get Pandaized (in other words he now has a reason to get in shape) in last year of contract with a winning club
With an eye on the World Series, Lee a perfect fit for DH in AL parks

The bottom line is two guys ostracised in their respective cities, get a chance to start anew as they approcach the final year of their contracts.
- zumie said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:32 pm
  
  What?- And miss another season and a half of watching Rowand pound grounders to the third baseman? (grin)
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:40 pm
  
  Do you see Lee starting? I don’t.
- DJLoo said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:44 pm
  
  Good job, WJ. Make it happen!
ewisco said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:24 pm

yo, knuckleheads. if you get comcast sports, they’re replaying the opening day game at att. still basking.
- zumie said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:34 pm
  
  I have to admit- the Arizona/Milwaukee game isn’t holding my interest as much as I thought it might.
paulinasia said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:41 pm

Yeah, Zum, I get that — over here, don’t see much baseball on TV, but occasionally ESPN Int’l shows something, and I would normally be happy to see ANYthing, but recently they showed a Houston game, interleague, I don’t even remember who they were playing. Watched for 5 minutes. Uh, no, not doin’ it for me… different kind (and much less enjoyable kind) of torture…
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 7:48 pm

BTW, the HR by Navarro was on an 89 MPH FASTBALL(!!!) as per MLB.COM
Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:02 pm

Fuck Lee. He sucks. He doesn’t care about baseball, whether he’s on a winner or not. He went to Houston for the dough and nothing has changed about him…….
Twin, get off this “Lying thing.” He threw some numbers out there that were from an established website that he supported with a link. You spend so much fucking time going after bloggers for innocent mistakes, it’s gotten quite old………
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:34 pm
  
  He’s a liar. Not the run support. He lies about what I post. Get on *his* ass. You say Lincecum pitched like shit: that’s cool. I point out a disturbingly low velocity ( which I have done SEVERAL times on Wilson) and you get postal…
Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:04 pm

Who gives a shit about the pitch to Navarro? It was a fucking mistake pitch. The best pitchers actually throw mistake pitches now and again. You don’t seem to spend a second blogging about Wilson’s shit pitches that turn into hits (or more likely, walks)……..
Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:07 pm

your obsession with hating Lincecum is absurd…….
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:35 pm
  
  From the previous page:
  He’s a liar. Not the run support. He lies about what I post. Get on *his* ass. You say Lincecum pitched like shit: that’s cool. I point out a disturbingly low velocity ( which I have done SEVERAL times on Wilson) and you get postal…
dirtnrocksnreno@yahoo.com said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:15 pm

The BB resembles the former Mrs Woods. Without Snarkk’s report how will we know?
Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:16 pm

Dirt– I’m gonna be in your hood tomorrow and Sat. Hit my cell if you are around and want to get a beer.
dirtnrocksnreno@yahoo.com said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:22 pm

Sounds good man. I got to stop flaking on you. Ever been to the knitting factory up here? Pink Floyd tribute band tomorrow night. Could be good or bad. I’ll probably just drink my way through it.
- Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:42 pm
  
  I’m rolling into town around 6pm.–Poker room. Del mar on Sat and poker room that night. But I’m pretty much around, though with some people. Like I said, if you want to get a beer somewhere downtown I am totally down…….
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:28 pm

89 MPH fastball should be disturbing. Don’t hate him at all- you say worse shit, pal Goodnight.
Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:40 pm

no one says worse shit than you. It’s not even close. You are rude to people and for the most part you’re just plain mean. Your responses never seem to match what you’re responding to. …..
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:45 pm

Sub “honest” and you’d be right.,
Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:49 pm

this isn’t that big of a deal. I just think you’ve been over the top on some bloggers. I sent you an email. You might disagree, relax. We’re in first place, there’s no reason to freak out about little shit…….
- twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:04 pm
  
  I know where they are-where I said they’d be, cruising.
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 8:57 pm

Snarkk is a snide, rude, asshole. You’re right, it’s not a big deal, he can’t help it. I sent you an E- Mail. I’m not freaked about shit…,just right and it pisses some off. Denny? I covered it in the E-Mail.
twinfan1 said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:18 pm

I was surprised that the pitch was an 89 MPH fastball. Someone asked on the Splash so I went to Gameday, Classic, and chose pitch by pitch. I had assumed it was just bad location ( a “mistake”). 89 is not a mistake, It’s either a probem or he “mailed one in”. I just watched it again. Chuckles would have hit it out.
http://tinyurl.com/3urvmdr
PawlieKokonuts said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:36 pm

Just catching PaulinAsia’s lyrical POTD. Love it. Paul, were you referring to the Cape Cod League? It is so hot…that, as Bob and Ray used to say, “Even the statues are sweating.”
Flavor said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:40 pm

Don’t get so caught up in the MPH. mlb does a good job of location and break but I don’t believe ANYONE’S mph. Timmy is 91-92-93. Why would he just grove one? But if he did throw one 89 to a shit hitter is that the worst crime in the world? Zito would kill to throw one that fast. Who knows, he might have lost concentration due to the fact that Navarro sucks. But he’s still in the big leagues, any of those guys can hit a mistake………
xootsuit said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:55 pm

mlb gameday mis-identifies the type of pitch all the time, but their gun seems pretty accurate.
paulinasia said, on July 21, 2011 at 9:58 pm

Ah, Pawlie, only one time did I see a Cape Cod league game, one summer long ago when I happened to be down on the Cape for the weekend. Sweet bird of youth kind of baseball, great stuff, and definitely some future stars playing in those games… My earlier reference was to a semi-pro independent league, no future stars, some has-beens who still just wanted to play the game, didn’t matter where. Even in Somerville, NJ… 🙂
- zumie said, on July 21, 2011 at 10:24 pm
  
  That reminds me of times I’ve seen the Chico Outlaws. They were in the independent Golden Baseball League. That league merged with some other independent league this season, and formed the North American Baseball League. One of the teams is in Hawaii, which makes for a very nice “away” series for the other teams.
- Macdog said, on July 21, 2011 at 10:31 pm
  
  Paul, sorry to be nit-picky, it’s the Somerset Patriots, Somerset being the name of the county they play in. The actual town is Bridgewater, and they play in the independent Atlantic League. Anyway, I also enjoyed the POTD, and you’ll be happy to know Sparky is still the manager. I’ve never been to their games, due mainly to getting my minor-league fix by having the Phillies’ low-A team about 20 minutes away.
  - paulinasia said, on July 21, 2011 at 10:36 pm
    
    Yeah, Mac, I know it’s the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League, wasn’t sure if where they play was actually Bridgewater or Somerville. I’m from Bridgewater, by the way….. well, my formative years, anyway.
    
    And yes, Zumie, wouldn’t that be swell, away games in Hawaii. “Uh, hon, sorry, road trip coming up, see you in about a week. Yes, just one game in one location, but still….”….
- Macdog said, on July 21, 2011 at 10:34 pm
  
  Oops, my bad, you did have Somerset Patriots. It’s been a long, hot day and night.