Avoiding a Sweep
Last night was brutal. Upton’s catch was astounding. I’m not sure if Beltran can hit a ball much harder. After he got brushed back with that high fastball you could see it in his eyes that he wanted to pound the ball. He did, that’s just *tip your cap* and move on. The Snakes have one thing going for them: confidence. I think they’re just too young and clueless to know any better and I guess that’s a good thing, right?
Voggy at home is usually a pretty good bet. Will someone other than Sandoval and Beltran be able to get a hit?
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Arizona plays their up and comer Goldshmidt in the two most important games of the year so far, and he delivers big time. While Huff continues his year to date MO of screwing himself into the ground and hiting comebackers to the pitcher with a man on 3rd and one out, Belt watches and gathers more splinters in his ass. The way Nate is sucking now, they could play Belt for a week straight by subbing in left for Nate and at first for Huff. The mismanagement of Belt is getting ridiculous…
Haven’t seen a game since the Friday night loss. Looking forward to a 3:35 ET game today. Losing 5 in a row sucks big time but winning 5 in a row can make you forget about it. So time to start that 5 in a row win streak with today’s win.
Looks like I also missed some craziness over here, hope all is well with the Flapketeers .
Cheers
just caught up with yesterdays thread. very civilized. a win today would be nice but not mandatory. frankly i don’t want them coasting into the playoffs, though i’d rather not wait until the last day either. stay sharp, stay hungry, hit the post season on a roll. august not that important.
Huff is hitting .324 the last couple weeks…. actually, the real puzzler is moving Panda and Beltran.
Torres CF, Keppinger 2B, Sandoval 3B, Beltran RF, Cabrera SS, Huff 1B, Ross LF, Whiteside C, Vogelsong P
Of course, Pablo is both their best hitter and their best HR hitter. Beltran has never hit a HR here in over 100 plate appearances.
You guys should have heard Kruk this morning. He deflected the Huff/Belt question by (correctly) pointing out Nate’s recent suckitude should create more opportunities for someone else to step up. Yeah, but not at Huff’s expense or Belt’s benefit. Say hello to more of Rowand.
So far there’s a chance for a nice day win.
I laugh at the blogs and radio idjits calling for Vogelsong to be the “stopper”. A stopper pitched last night and gave up only 2 runs and 3 hits over 7, despite control issues with some very nasty stuff. With a normal hitting team, that kind of performance should get you a win. After that, the roof caved in on the Pen, but scoring only 1 in opposition isn’t going to cut it. Pitching has trended worse lately, as I feared it might going into the dog days, but the Giants HAVE stoppers. The problem is they can’t score. They need to start scoring runs, and soon. Lineup today is again sans Belt…
“Pitching has trended worse lately, as I feared it might going into the dog days”… the pitching was best in the league in July. I guess you mean the three days of August?
Too much panic going on with newer Giant fans. Let them sweat it out. Meanwhile, I look forward to the ballgame today.
No reason to panic, but there should be concern about the hitting and chemistry on the team with all the new faces. It may take some time for the ship to right itself…
I’ll guess they are concerned with the hitting. Revolutionary thought, but maybe they picked up the new guys because they were concerned? Possible?
I can really relate to the post of the day.You guys are my morning read and a great way to keep my head into baseball.
And today’s game early enough for my late night viewing pleasure.
Go Giants!
Panda will definitely hit like a beast today.
Vogie hopefully will have his good stuff and control.
I really do feel strongly that the Giants take this one.
In fact, I can feel a super good vibe emanating from the park even now, a day game drenched in the gorgeous summer sun of Northern California, with the kayakers and sailboats in the Cove etching the perfect backdrop for a glorious win…
Translation: We’re gonna get creamed.
You guys should have heard Kruk this afternoon. He was pissed off at Murph and Mac and their producers for repeatedly playing his quip from this morning about how a “losing streak could be a good thing.” I heard him live this morning, and I knew what he was getting at about “bringing the club together” and “testing the players mettle” and what not. But they obviously took it the wrong way at KNBR. It’s funny how words can be taken out of context.
Well, Jim Kaat used to say a Grand Slam was a rally killer…haven’t checked but I”ll guess he gave up a few..
Well, for all of Vogie’s success, this is the biggest start of his career.
Let’s hope he doesn’t burn a lot of pitches early . . .
AZ’s playing their AAA lineuup today. Curious.
Ahhh. They got Marquis going . . .
Wow . . . . . not a good play. . . .
Safe, out, whatfuckingever, can’t do that, shithead.
Eitehr way, you can’t get thrown out at 3rd with no outs.
That’s what I said.
Same time, skippy. i didn’t see yer post.
Two hits, a walk and an error = 0 runs. There’s your Giants replay.
So I am back, who was the genius who said earlier that Panda would never be moved from the 4-hole???
I was responding to your idiocy about putting Belt there. Granted, I should have pointed out the specific moronic post…
I definitely should have included this idiotfuck statement in my post:
“but I think we have to have Belt hitting cleanup and see if he can stick in that spot”. Yeah,, he’s definitly shown he should bump the two best hitters from their spots. Idiot.
no fuckhead, Panda and Beltran are not power hitters, the 4-spot is for a power hitter. We need to see if Belt can jack some hitting in that spot in between the two contact hitters.
Any dumb fuck that knows one iota about baseball knows that. You, as proven constantly, know shit about baseball…back to your rock fuckhead…
You are a complete moron Panda hits a HR every 23.6 AB. Based on a full year, that’s right at 25. Belltran averages 28 per 162. You have absolutely nothing to show Belt would appraoch either figure. Get a brain.
Bochy on his pregame show said he made the move because he’s “superstitious” and hoped it would shake things up. I get laughed at (among other things) for being superstitious here. I wish Bochy was superstitious when it came to inserting his closer in save vs NON-save situations. 😛
We’re also well past the “good AB” bullshit. A good AB results in getting on base.’He’s on it” is another. During one Eli AB last week, he was on like 7 pitches before the inevitable strike out.
I’ll be amazed if they get through this inning w/o giving up a run or 2.
Nice!!
I’m amazed. Time for Torres to lead off the inning with a goddamn xbh.
McGehee just hit his third homer today…they have some bashers on that team…that is going to be a hell of a race in the Central…
O-M-F-G !
Ya for being superstitious!
O-M-F-G-A !
As Fathead said, there’s no reason and Panda and Beltran are hitting well, but Belt should bat fourth anyway.
again dickhead, put a potential home run hitter in a spot to break it open and you still have beltran hitting 5th as another good contact hitter…
And here was the Genius’ quote from earlier today…
“Why the fuck would Pablo be moved from the 4? He wouldn’ t.Pablo is the ONLY choice- fuck, even Beltran has never hit a HR here. This one is truly not arguable.”
Yeah brilliant. Just a rbi for Panda hitting third and then Beltran dtrives in another. Yeah no reason to move Panda out of the 4-hole. Belt sitting on the bench while maybe, just maybe hitting in this exact spot he could have driven one high deep…Spare us Twin of your naseau and just dont repsond…
Bochy said he was fucking around-Panda will be back in the 4. One thing that won’t happen without injury- Belt in the 4. You’vee always been the dumbest here, and youprove it again.
And Fathead’s reasoning after Panda and Beltran deliver RBIs- Belt MIGHT have done better. HOF idiot.
25 and 28 are not potential HR hitters but a kid who has 30 in 800 minor league plate appearances is. You’re stealing air from those who deserve it.
Nice inning, excitement in the air, 4 runs, woo hoo
and I am so glad there was an error on Huff’s hit; things get much worse for him we will have to put him on suicide watch.
These two are really fucking up. Belt would have a couple HRs for sure.
Don’t these guys know that they can’t hit?
The hits are coming Gents and so are the runs! Orlando, Pablo, Beltran all put up numbers.
No fucking way in hell does Bochy put Panda back at cleanup and Beltran in the 3-hole for tomorrow.
No fucking way…
Well, in the 4 since Beltran arrived Panda was 10 for 25 with 2 dingers. Totally fucked numbers. They really need Belt there.
Six runs feel so good!
unca_chuck said, on August 3, 2011 at 12:55 pm
“Ahhh. They got Marquis going . . .”
They sure do buddy, going to the showers.
8 runs!
Pablo’s shown some patience at the plate lately. Combine that with Beltran in the on deck circle, and good things will happen, especially for Pablo. They don’t have a clean up hitter, at least no as long as Huff is MIA. Hell, Buster wasn’t really a clean up hitter when he filled that spot. Beltran definitely promises to hit line drives. If runners are on, even drives hit at OFs will be sacrifices. Batting him 4th may be the best they can do.
I guess a demonstration of my theory was playing out as I typed.
If there was a prop bet on who will bat cleanup for the Giants tomorrow, I’d bet every last red cent of yours it’s going to be Beltran. I’d bet every last red cent of mine, but a horse at Saratoga took care of that for me over the weekend.
I like the 3-4-5 today, at least so long as Huff’s power is still uncertain. I guess whoever plays CF leads off. Maybe Ross will get hot and deserve both LF and the 5 spot for a while, etc. Options suddenly seem possible. Bottom line: Beltran really does make this lineup better by giving Pablo a boost.
Well, there’s certainly at least some subconcious dislike for Panda still. When a guy rakes it in the 4 and the Flappers are delighted to see him out of it, it doesn’t make any logical sense. 54 of his 80 hits, BTW, have been opposite field or up the middle. Beltran didn’t fucking get him doing that, he’s always hit well the other way.
quite the opposite — there’s a great deal of admiration for Pablo. Use Beltran so that Pablo sees even more hittable pitches, because Pablo’s the best hitter on the team.
Huff is wearing the red rally thong tonight!
Huff has been pulling out of his batting funk the last two weeks and two hits on fielding miscues is a sign from the gods.
whoever got Huff off the FA list is a genius
And why are Pablo and Beltran a combined 4 fer 6 with 2 RBI and 4 R scored?
Because he’s fucking superstitious.
Ah shit. The Giants scored more than 7 runs at home for the first time all year.
There goes that bit of schtick of mine.
Well, this has got to feel good!
Marquis: meat!
Great pickup so far for the D-Backs.
Wow! More than 2 runs. I hope they haven’t shot their wad like some 70 year old and will have to wait a week before they’re reloaded.
it does feel good!
as an edit replace two hits with twice on base. *blush*
Where did this offensive burst come from
Some of you may have seen on Comcast after the game last night, for some reason they cut to the Arizona feed for a few minutes, and we got to hear an Arizona broadcaster make snide and cocky comments about the Giants’ offense. Obviously, WE know the Giants’ offense has been struggling, but it’s pretty annoying to hear one of the other team’s broadcaster’s rubbing it in. Today’s a nice answer back to that.
not to jinx things, but Voggy must feel that SF is the promised land. Pitching with difficulty and the bats pick him up!
The life of a starting pitcher. Sometimes you get the runs, and sometimes you don’t.
Way to be Song.
If it helps Beltran moving to the 4, fine. But Pablo was nails in the 4 after Beltran got here. Gave the numbers- which put to ruin the notion that Pablo is not a “real” clean up hitter. .. Beltran as clean up regularly is suspect-with zero HR here in over 100 plate appearances.
Fact is, Panda is clearly back as their best hitter and best power hitter. He can hit anywhere they put him.
THIS is more like it. For sure Bochy will be tempted to stick with this lineup for awhile. Was outdoors carving through all the excitement. Kinda wondered if the top of the L.U. wouldn’t get to Marquis in that bottom of the 4th. Keppinger has been hitting pretty steadily lately and has been an instrumental table setter. Cabrera catches on to NL pitching and is strutting his stuff. Vogelsong sounds like the sweetest music in the Show since the days of Frank Viola with the Twins.
Wonder if Marquis’ shutting out SF for the Nats this spring wasn’t instrumental in the Snakes picking him up. Well, there goes that bright idea.
I’m loving the Beltran pick-up.
When you have two good hitters back to back, they help each other. Beltran benfits from Panda, too.,..
Would it be asking too much to have the 5 hitter produce??
Cabrera has 3 RBI today, is that too sucky? Tough crowd.
You can tell Vogelsong was pissed at himself for that 6th inning. He gave a half-ass tip o’ the cap today.
Obviously, the change in the 3-4 was not to aid Sandoval, as he was hittting .400 with the 2 HRs after Beltran’s arrival. Even though he’d begun to hit the ball harder of late, Carlos was hitting just .200 before today.Best guess is that Bochy knows Panda will hit anywhere so why not see if the flip helps Beltran? Seems it did, now I’m looking for his first ATT HR ever…
Rockies just lost their 4th straight . . . Halladay was far from perfect, but pitched in and out of trouble and got the victory. Rockies pitching staff is pathetic.
Yeah, it was pretty unlikely the Giants ever gave much a thought of Zito taking Mota’s bullpen spot.
They made the change to try something different. End of story. Bochy played a hunch. It worked. He mjust moght stick with it. The point being those 2 guys aren’t the problem. Cabrera getting some hit in the 5 hole is a good thing. He’ll stick there for a few more . . .
Lincecum, Cain and Bumgarner may have more talent, but the Little Birdie that Could is tougher than a ten-penny nail. He’s the stopper. Been around the block a bunch, but went down with an injury when Pittsburgh was using him as a starter and took a time coming back. Much paid his dues along the way. This dude knows how to pitch. Doesn’t get rattled or lose his concentration. Superb focus. Those three young Aces can learn a deuce of a lot from this guy. Ya gotta love him. Team sure does. He inspires those batters to step it up for him. No doubt in my mind.
Bochy will never move Pablo out of the 3 spot. Never. He’s the best hitter on the team. Case closed.
Six K’s, pair of walks over two. Not one ball put into play. That’s our man Mota.
As I’ve patiently pointed out, the LU is not about one fucking guy, or 2, or 3. It’s 8. Whatever hunch Bochy was playing, displeasure with Panda in the 4 obviously had nothing to do with it. Whether it was getting Beltran going or getting Cabrera some pitches to hit, Chuckles is right, it worked. But get this straight- Pablo has still been their best hitter all year, nothing has changed in that regard.
Snakes ~ they ain’t so tough. Cody Ransom and Cowgirl in their starting nine today. Wonder what our rodeo clown thinks of that couple names.
As I said, maybe he moved Panda to help Beltran. But Pablo was hitting .400 in the 4 with 2 HR since Carlos got here. The move would only have been made to help Beltran. Case closed.
For the year Pablo was hitting .287 in the 3, .327 OBP .788 OPS
Limited duty thus far, 9 games total in the 4:
.324 BA .342 OBP .856 OPS
But they’re both very good hitters. The concern with Carlos in the 4 should be obvious- no home runs in over 100 PA here.
Pablo’s the best hitter on the team. If Beltran hitting behind him forces teams to throw Pablo a bigger % of hittable pitches, Pablo will take advantage of the opportunity. Beltran’s best use may be as Pablo’s enforcer, at least until Huff rises out of his hangover and starts hitting HRs.
In any event, the offense is just showing some signs of life around Pablo — who knows what may develop this month. Could be good.
With Panda and Beltran at the core, the lineup began to jell today. Slight adjustments can and will be made as the season progresses. Nice to see the contributions from Keppinger, Cabrera and Ross. Point is, with the two big guns back to back, the rest of the hitters will see more hittable pitches.
Best thing is that after two punches to the gut against our Aces, this team battled back riding our little deuce coupe and an outburst from the lumberyard and is now poised to face the Fillies with Bumgarner, Sanchez, Cain and Lincecum. The Beasts from the East may have been licking their chops after SF went down in games one and two vs the Snakes, but now the Giants are back in their head and the bats are awakened to their new potential.
After today this is a different team.
Bochy just said he told Beltran the switch was just for one day. He may do it some more as it worked out- but I have no idea why Pablo’s numbers in the 4 since Beltran got here are so aggressively ignored. Panda could hardly do better than hitting 4fuckinghundred. Numbers are the Evil Dead around this pop joint.
Pablo was hitting .400, Beltran .200 since the trade. It wasn’t Panda needing the fucking help with a switch.Duh.
When he first came off the DL in June, Pablo was striking out a bit. Since early July, however, his SO ratio has been shrinking toward the vanishing point. 9 SOs in his last 91 PAs; 2 (I said 2) in his last 46. I have seen him lay off of close, teaser pitches a lot lately. Whatever they did to his eyesight seems to have worked, and at the same time his swing just seems to be getting better (as if the hand has healed 100% now). Meanwhile, his D has been good. Absent for the stretch last year, he may carry them all the way this year, whether he bats 3 or 4.
So you’ve moved Pablo to the third spot and Beltran to fourth?
Well, yeah, we wanted to switch things up a bit, give Carlos a new look batting behind Pablo, and at the same time give Pablo a chance to face their guys with Carlos in the on deck circle. When you have two hitters as good as those two it’s pretty hard to make a mistake in the middle of the lineup card, even if you fill it out upside down. We’re confident with them, either way.