Walk on the Wild Side

Posted in Uncategorized by pawliekokonuts on September 12, 2012

I just heard a snippet of ESPN Radio’s Mike&Mike. (After about 47 seconds their morning verve is virtually unlistenable.) One of the coffee con brio Mikes was referring to a Jayson Stark (I like him, and not only for the favorable blurb he gave my book) piece declaring that this new Wild Card regime could result in a team playing in four cities in four days. I’ll take Mr. Stark at his stark word.

So, girls, do you like the new Wild Card scheme, with two teams doing a play-in game — and 101 other potentially exciting, or disastrous, configurations?

Who will be in those games? Who are your picks? And who moves on?

And while you are at it, when will the San Francisco Giants clinch the NL West? (My guess: September 23.)

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eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:58 am

Damn, I was going to guess the 23rd.
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:07 am
  
  nobody’s stoppin’ ya, take the 23rd. I’m going with the 27th……
  Pretty much everyone has said a 1 game WC is a bad idea but I love it. It’s an automatic Game 7. Who wouldn’t tune in for that? Plus it’s the best way yet (short of giving the division winners more home games in a 7 series–ie, 5 home games for division winner, 2 for the WC winner) to reward a team for winning their division. As it stands, there just isn’t enough leverage earned by the division winner when they play a WC in the playoffs…….
  Over the course of 162 games, it should be a big deal if you win your division. And this new 1 game format for the WC teams is a fantastic way to do that.
  And everyone is bitching about the 1 game thing but they’ll all be watching it when it goes down and after the game and the insane moves each manager pulls, emptying their bench in a desperate attempt to move on, everyone will appreciate the drama.
  And if the winner of that WC game goes into Game 1 vs the division winner a little tattered and torn for Game 1, so be it. That’s the reward the division winner gets for winning their division……..
eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:12 am

I like the new WC except where it messes with the July trade deadline. The rules are slightly different this season due to the break-in period. And the numero uno league team has to travel because the winning team of the play-in hosts the first two games of the divisional series. Less travel over all. AND I think it means getting to the finals just got harder for the WC team. (think pitching)

I suspect a lot of teams are missing the motivational message head-to-head games curing the season, but making the play-in could be decided by those contests rather than final record.
coach:”ah, hey, youse guys, we are playing a team in our division and I don’t need to remind you that this win could be the decider in a wild card tie-breaker. So get up and let’s win this one!”
player: “geez, louise, coach, you said that about the last series, how many of these are there?”
eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:13 am

Actually, I chose the 26th, no sense clinching on an off day, right?
zumiee said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:17 am

Just for variety’s sake, I’ll say the 25th, although the 27th would be cool, because I’m going to be at that game, and it would be extremely cool to be at the clinching game. I’m pretty sure I was at the division-clinching game in ’89, but the haze of time has me not certain. The game I’m thinking of, it was Reuschel pitching, so that’s something I should be able to look up….
- zumiee said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:35 am
  
  Well, I gave it a try. On 9/23/89, Reuschel was the winning pitcher over the Astro’s Mike Scott, 3-1, in front of 46,000 at Candlestick. So, that was obviously the game I was at. The next day, LaCoss defeated the Astros in front of 50,000. So which was the clinching game? Or was either the clinching game at all? The Giants then went on the road and lost 5 out of their last 6 games, which sounds like the Giants had it wrapped up and were playing a lot of the bench guys.
  Anybody know on what date the ’89 Giants clinched? I couldn’t find the answer.
  - Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:41 am
    
    The A’s and Giants Clinch Their Divisions
    September 22, 2009 by Arne
    It happened on September 27, 1989. The Chronicle reported:
    
    The Bay Area’s baseball dream – a World Series between San Francisco and Oakland – moved a huge step closer to reality last night when both the Giants and the A’s clinched the championship of their divisions. The A’s won the American League’s Western Division title at the Oakland Coliseum by beating the Texas Rangers, 5-0. Hours later, the Giants won the National League West when the second place San Diego Padres were mathematically eliminated by losing to the Cincinnati Reds, 2-1, in the 13th inning. The Giants actually backed into the title, because they lost their own game to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 1-0 – but they made baseball history anyway. It was the first time that two teams from the same region clinched division titles on the same night.
  - zumiee said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:44 am
    
    Thanks! Much appreciated.
zumiee said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:20 am

BF, what’s up with the muppet #17?!! We eagerly await a 15!!!
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:31 am
  
  done and done!–had to do a new BBOTD first. 🙂
  - zumiee said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:49 am
    
    Ivie, cool! Who’da thunk he wore #15? Actually I’m pretty bad on remembering players’ numbers, in general.
willedav said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:18 am

I don’t care for the new system. The only team being rewarded is the one with the best record, as they get to play the WC one game winner. Other division winners aren’t affected. The one game deal is BS imo–make it a 3 game series if you are going to do it. Nothing wrong with the old system–WC still has to win on the road. Plus, I also don’t dig the better record team starting on the road–unheard of.
This sounds like something Bud cut and pasted together to please some big money blowhard whiner because the WC teams in the past have won it all and his team didn’t. The more teams you bring in, I think the lamer it is.
How you could improve on what happened last year? In the famous words of Deion Sanders, “It’s all about money.”
Oh, and a great title for today’s thread—WOTWS is the title track of a big jazz hit recorded early 60s by organist Jimmy Smith with a big band on one side and trio setting on the other, from the LP Bashin. I used to listen to Al “Jazzbeaux” Collins play this on KSFO, though I didn’t get into the music until much later. Pretty sure we saw the movie at a drive in with parents
willedav said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:46 am

Oughta be the end of the “what belt can’t do” BS as well. He has bumped the slugging pct. up, maintains the high OB, and as Pavs (who gives nice shout out to him and cites recent surge at the plate) suggested needs to be higher up in the middle of the order. As Twin mentioned before, I’m still waiting for an ump to call someone safe because of how he comes off the bag, but so far so good.
I really hope Bochy leaves him in for two of the three games in AZ when the Bax throw LHP. Belt can hit these guys, and I’d rather see him and posey in there instead of Hector C and P at 1b. Let someone else play LF.
twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:20 am

I think the 1 game WC is an horrible idea.Willie expresses it very well. On Belt, they should move Buster to the 3, Pence 4, Belt 5, and Panda 6. Break up the free swingers…
Other notes: Bochy would be doing something he rarely does if Zits and Vogie both make the post season- a better pitcher would be left off. one of the two would be kept as a reliever and starters are just not neccessarily good relievers. This isn’t the 50’s when the relief poitchers were just washed up starters..
I took a peek at Peguero’s numbers after he pinch ran last night. The dude can fly but ONE stolen base all frigging year?
Just make it official: Melky who? There will be a ceremony at a virtual gravesite tomorrow.Bring garden clippings. The headstone has been ordered: “Here lies nobody”…
chipower9 said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:22 am

I do not like the “play-in” additional “wild card spot.” My guess is the Giants clinch on the 27th.

Have to run off to a training session I am giving today…will provide the “who” makes the dance later.
Irish Kevin said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:34 am

I tried searching for information on the Wild Card could not find a whole lot. I mean I found an explanation, but what I want to know is, the season ends on Oct 3 when is this wild card game is and then when do the playoffs begin? So like is the wild card game on Oct 5 (sounds reasonable) and then the playoffs begin Oct 8 or 9? How do they decide Home field advantage? that could be huge.
- twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:42 am
  
  Here is the post season schedule:
  http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp?y=12
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:45 am

The two wild cards would be palatable if they played a 2 of 3 series, with the WC team with the higher wins total having game 3 home field, if needed. The one game playoff makes a mockery of the whole deal. After 162 games and all the brouhaha of a faux September WC playoff race to the finish, it’s an afterthought — might as well flip a coin to see which WC wins. Then, I believe the winning WC team this year gets the first two of the div playoff series at home, its div winner opponent gets the last three at home. Can anybody confirm that? If that’s true, that makes no sense to me; it rewards the WC team with the chance to win early and pressurize the div winner…
- twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 10:01 am
  
  Yeah, they are going to the 2-3 format, which is (as you say, paraphrased: iditiotic)
- Macdog said, on September 12, 2012 at 10:07 am
  
  The lower seed getting the first two home games is ridiculous — who doesn’t have bad memories of the ’97 playoffs vs. Marlins when the Giants were supposed to have home-field advantage and played just one home game. But it looks like this is just for this year:
  
  “For the 2012 Postseason only, the five-game Division Series will begin with two home games for lower seeds, followed by up to three home games for higher seeds. This one-year change, which eliminates a travel day prior to a decisive Game Five of the Division Series, was necessary because the 2012 regular season schedule was established before the agreement on the new Postseason format was reached. Next year, the Division Series will return to the 2-2-1 format used in previous years.”
  
  Here’s the whole link: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?c_id=mlb&content_id=36405618&vkey=pr_mlb&ymd=20120809
  - snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 10:28 am
    
    Total, unmitigated crap…
  - Salty said, on September 12, 2012 at 10:33 am
    
    Works in the G’s favor then, no?
ewisco said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:59 am

a three game series for the WC would screw the division winners. sitting 4-5 days, especially if you clinched early, will just kill any momentum you had while the WC would be coming off a series win with their pitching staff in fairly good shape. As it is, sitting 3 days while the WC is decided can be sub-optimal. Yeah, the arms get rested but the bats get rusty. you play nearly every day for 6 months and then shut it down and expect to re-start? they do it at the ASG but even then, some teams come out hot and some cold. unrelated to how they were doing before the break.
- ewisco said, on September 12, 2012 at 10:30 am
  
  christ, they’re already sitting for a week!!! good lord. baseball at some point has to stand up to tv and say, like they do at the Masters (a tournament i usually don’t like), “we’re having a tunament and this is when it is. If you want to cover it, that’s when it is.”. No more of this, “when do you want us to schedule it?” bullshit. they’re totally fucking it up. kids on the east coast are getting screwed and even here, there are going to be nights where it’s “all right lads, off to bed. you can find out what happened in the morning.” hell, i’ll probably be in bed at the end of some of these.
  - eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 2:35 pm
    
    They don’t have lights for golf championships. Make the championships day games and like Bruce and the boys: keep the line moving.
twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 10:30 am

Here’s a rather tedious but interesting piece on Ewisco’s theory
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/taking-the-long-road/
- ewisco said, on September 12, 2012 at 11:00 am
  
  Interesting article. i glazed over a bit at some of the numbers but the guy obviously put a lot of work into this. I would like to see more of a breakdown of pitching and hitting to see if there are obvious differences (do the bats get rusty, the arms tired?) The key this year, and maybe subsequently, is whether or not tie-break games are required. with nearly a whole week before the start of PS, a team that has to play one or two tie-breakers may actually be able to keep their staff essentially on schedule.
- chipower9 said, on September 12, 2012 at 12:50 pm
  
  Thanks, Michael. Looks interesting…printed it and will read later. Unfortunately, work is getting in the way of my Flapping socialization today! I HATE IT when that happens!
demp28 said, on September 12, 2012 at 11:20 am

Well it seems as if a few Flappers are saying the Giants clinch on Sept. 27; which of course is the Giants final home game of the regular season. I second that.
I’m also on board as saying I oppose the second wild card. I like the format where you have just 4 teams advance in each league. Leave well enough alone Bud!
twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 11:26 am

So some of you don’t think it’s so cool that a 7 game World Series ends on Christmas Day? Some people are never pleased…
demp28 said, on September 12, 2012 at 11:36 am

The MLB schedule for 2013 should be released today. The Giants open up on the road…against the Bums.
- Macdog said, on September 12, 2012 at 12:10 pm
  
  I expected something bizarre for next year’s schedule, and sure enough: “The Giants will play back-to-back series in New York. They’ll face the Mets from Sept. 17-19 before taking on the Yankees in an Interleague set Sept. 20-22.”
  - snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 12:31 pm
    
    At least they didn’t make the Giants go back on separate trips to NYC. I’ll bet that SFGiants bar, Finnerty’s or whatever it is, will be jumpin’ that week…
  - snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 12:40 pm
    
    Giants end the 2013 season in last week of Sept with two 3-game series at ATT vs. Dodgers and then Pads…
twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 12:49 pm

6 nights in NY? Who’s on bed check duty? Lift the covers- some of these guys will try anything..
- chipower9 said, on September 12, 2012 at 12:53 pm
  
  LMAO…that is funny. Looks like the Boston we had when I was growing up.
  
  On who makes the cluster-fuck…er I mean wild card play-in, etc.
  
  NL – Division winners: Nats, Reds, Gigantes.
  Wildcards – Braves and Cards
  
  AL – Division winners: (either YankMees, O’s, or Rays), White Sox, TexAss
  Wildcards – either YankMees, O’s, or Rays, and A’s.
  
  Would love to see a 1989 “Battle of the Bay” rematch. Battle of the Bay II. Fuck Yeah!
chipower9 said, on September 12, 2012 at 12:56 pm

Or a rematch with the YankMees would be cool, too.
eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 2:27 pm

Well, with no niner’s game last night we are _finally_ talking playoffs.
eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 2:29 pm

Chi, love the new avatar photo.
BY THE WAY – work called the flap offices, they need you.
- chipower9 said, on September 12, 2012 at 2:33 pm
  
  I don’t see the avatar (when at work)…not sure I changed it. What the hell is it? If it is the picture of me and my daughter at spring training, that is an old photo. Have been meaning to update it…but been lazy.
  
  Work needs me? Tell them to “Get in Line” with all the other blowhards…The Flap is the priority right now. 😉
eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 2:43 pm

Maybe I never noticed it before, yeah, she with the 55
at least you have your priorities right.
- chipower9 said, on September 12, 2012 at 3:32 pm
  
  Yeah…think it is a shot with my daughter from spring training a couple of years ago. And yes, she has her priorities right…she is as hard-core and dedicated a Giant fan as me. Football…that is a different story…she is conflicted and is a Packer fan (my ex…her Mom, and her Grandparents are from Wisconsin). At least she got half of it right (and the most important half, too!). 😉
eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 2:48 pm

I like the way the new WC divides the classes. Champions Class is the three division winners, properly on their pedestals.
Separating them from the lower class “best of the losers” who need to get dirty trying to tug on the coattails of royalty.
I wonder what Reno is giving for a Bay Bridge WS, I’ve got a couple of hundred sitting here doing nothing.
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 3:17 pm
  
  Totally agree and well put (except the two Hundy doing nuthin’)—I’d put the odds of that around 50-1 right now.
eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 2:52 pm

MadBum is third in the NL for allowing SBs. I woulda thought it was Timmeh or BZ. with MB being a lefty.
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 3:05 pm
  
  He’s got an extremely slow delivery to the plate, slowest on the staff according to Kruk…
  - eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 3:08 pm
    
    I really need to listen better.
- PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:41 pm
  
  Eddddd, listen better? Why? You’re not married, are ya?
Kevin said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:18 pm

Can this line up win
1. Gregor Blanco (L) CF
2. Marco Scutaro (R) 2B
3. Buster Posey (R) 1B
4. Hunter Pence (R) RF
5. Joaquin Arias (R) 3B
6. Brandon Belt (L) LF
7. Hector Sanchez (S) C
8. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
9. Tim Lincecum (L) P
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:23 pm
  
  Absolutely. And I love the Arias start at 3rd. And while Blanco can’t hit, he’s a perfect fit in that OF–
  - Irish Kevin said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:24 pm
    
    Should Belt bat before Arias?
- zumiee said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:26 pm
  
  Posey in the 3rd spot. I like it.
  - snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:30 pm
    
    So do I. He should stay there the rest of the year…
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:35 pm

I love the OperaSinger at 3B. Get it? hahahahahahahahaa
- eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:44 pm
  
  🙂
  
  I heard of the wedding singer at home.
  tada!
zumiee said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:42 pm

Brandon Phillips enraged the Pirates pitcher by tossing the ball back towards him after being hit by the pitch. There’s something about that move that really ticks pitchers off. I can’t remember, but didn’t Hutley roll the ball back towards Sanchez after being hit by him? And then Sanchez went off.
Pitchers really don’t like it.
- PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:45 pm
  
  That was it, in the NLCS. And batters seem to dislike having pitchers toss broken bat shards at them, cf. Clemons v. Piazza.
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:43 pm

Sometimes I wish I could have an interesting name, like Joaquin, Vladimir, Edgmer, Edinson.
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:31 pm
  
  So, your neighborhood is awash with PawlieKokonuts running around? 😉
eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:47 pm

I work with a guy whose name is Hussain, he is not very interesting, though.
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:33 pm
  
  Make sure you get a certified copy of his birth certificate… 🙂
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 4:59 pm

Other than my daughter living there and my having everlasting memories of being there for the pennant clincher in ’10, I have this secret little hope for Philadelphia to be one of the WC teams. Gotta admit, it makes a good story. I for one am very surprised at the Phillies’ resurgence, given the absence of Victorino and Pence and given the soap opera w/ Rollins and Manuel, etc. etc. It’d make for an intriguing rematch w/ our boys, though I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:04 pm

Bochy is playing Captain to Pablo’s Luke. “Pablo, ya’ gonna get your mind riiight”.
Hence, enter Arias, as many predicted/demanded.
A night or three in the sweat “box” might not hurt, either.
I’d like to see Dragline hitting cleanup…
- PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:14 pm
  
  “Shakin’ that tree, boss!”
eddacker said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:07 pm

Hamels and Harper?
demp28 said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:18 pm

snarkk, it looks like we got our wish. Bochy sits Fat Ass Panda tonight and possibly Friday. Time for Arias to shine.
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:20 pm
  
  Yep, the sportstalk radio was burning up today PO’d at Pablo, clamoring for Arias, or somebody else. Hope Arias hasn’t cooled off since his calf injury…
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:40 pm

Is the Huff “slide” burning up the airwaves? I mean, that was like a dolphin stranded in the sand. Did y’all see Roberto Kelley? He was like, “Dude. What the feck was that?” Imagine Huff’s best bro Pat Burrell texting him after the game: “Chix dont like beached walruses, bud.”
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:48 pm
  
  It did get some local radio wave guffaws…
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:59 pm
  
  I watched it a few times, I didn’t think it was nearly as hilarious as everyone else—of course I had heard Krukow and other KNBR stooges babble about it so I had set myself up to see something epic. It was….underwhelming.
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 5:44 pm

Well, nice start. Hope you are scoreboard-watching, Dodgers.
Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:19 pm

What’s Timmy’s record when he gets spotted a 5-spot in the first inning?
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:29 pm
  
  Has he ever gotten one before?…
- Bozo said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:04 pm
  
  33 and 0
Salty said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:20 pm

Dodgers (and the Bucs) getting help from the resurgent Padres (17 of 22) who sweep Stl. Cards in LA this weekend for 4 should be interesting
twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:22 pm

Actually, Pablo’s ass is relatively normal , to be accurate he would be “fat belly” .Accuracy is important when dissing a player’s physique. Some poetic license is acceptable, though. This could be referred to as a “Penny Belly”..
Salty said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:27 pm

Posey’s 2nd half numbers are amazing. Could this guy hit .400?
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:31 pm

I thought 5-1 was a nice cushion; now I fear a 13-11 game.
- demp28 said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:38 pm
  
  Timmy likes to toy with Rags and Bochy, but yeah I can see 13-11. BTW, watch out for the spoilin’ Padres.
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:35 pm

Arias may have already earned himself another start for Pablo…
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:41 pm
  
  Good. Pablo’s hit and fielded like shit for too long. Shades of 2010.
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:36 pm

In the past, giving Timmy a 5 run lead would be a guaranteed win.
Now, it’s only a down payment…
Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:39 pm

It’s nice to see Timmy pitch out of all these bases-on jams he keeps getting himself into but 10 walks in his last 8.1 innings is not exactly getting me excited about seeing him pitch in the playoffs this year……..
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:46 pm
  
  He’s gone virtually this entire season with sporadic to no control over his fastball. That’s pretty unbelievable. And, why his pitch counts go so damn high so fast, IMO…
  - Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:56 pm
    
    Voggy and Timmy are dealing with completely different issues. Voggy’s location is a little off. Timmy throws pitch after pitch that the hitter wouldn’t swing at in a million years. He wastes so many pitches….
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:08 pm
    
    I finished the Steve Blass book, “A Pirate for Life.” Good read. (Met him in July, so I juggled my very quirky book-reading queue.) The ever -affable Blass makes a good point that I’ve heard other commentators make: sometimes a pitcher wants to miss, to set up the batter. Sometimes a pitcher wants to tease the hungry batter (cf. Sandoval). He notes that if he came in with “slop” for a first strike, the hitter was confused. Most hitters really WANT the fastball, have to expect it. But Tim does not seem to have a plan (hence the alleged catcher rift?); or, if he does, he can’t execute it. As the Rockies announcers noted, he is not confident; certainly not confident in his fastball. So, when we talk of maturity, that’s what his challenge is, isn’t it? To become a pitcher, more than ever.
  - Bozo said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:49 pm
    
    ” With the next pitch, I want you to hit the mascot. Trust me, just hit the bull. “
demp28 said, on September 12, 2012 at 6:50 pm

I love the fact that there is no game clock in baseball but an hour to play two innings is a bit much. What is this, Yanks/Red Sox?
- PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:01 pm
  
  Yeah, does the thin air affect the nuclear Cooperstownian chromometer ratio?
twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:08 pm

Well, another diff between Tim and Ryan right now-Tim is actually getting people out, tortuous as it may be.
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:12 pm
  
  Right now there really isn’t a pitcher on this staff that you’d call your *ace*. They’ve all been painfully average/bad the last month or longer. The latest good start was Zito (out of the 5) so that is bar right now. And Timmy has failed to meet that tonight.
  - twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:24 pm
    
    i know youy’re not saying that Zits is ahead of Cain, MadBum, and Lincecum. They are the 1/2/3 right now.
  - Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:29 pm
    
    you have no clue in the world about who the 1-2-3 is. That’s all in your mind. If they all fuck up is Hacker coming in for a spot start?
    It was clear what I posted: Zito is the last good start we’ve seen. The other 4 SP’s have been average to shit over the last month. Let’s see when one of them overtakes Zito as “SF Giants SP with Most Recent Best Start”…Shit, it’ll probably be Zito the way this crew is pitching………
  - twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:41 pm
    
    The idea that someone has to overtake Zito’s good start to overtake him is fucking ludicrous. The 1/2/3 is as I said. All Zits has reight now is a *chance* to make the postseason roster
  - Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:54 pm
    
    you’re right. It is as you said. In your living room. To your dog.
    You are wrong a lot of the time. You are right a lot of the time. As we all are. But to suggest you have some secret portal into the playoff line up is not only weird but delusional.
    You know as much as we do dude. And your OPINION isn’t worth a fucking plug nickle more than anyone else’s. Don’t forget it……….
- twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:07 pm
  
  So you think Vogelsong or Zito are ahaead of the 3 I listed, barring injury how about a bet? i say that Cain, Bum, and Tim are the first three( in any order). If Zito or Vogelsong starts head of of any of those three in the NLDS, I’ll send you a 100 bucks, by any method you choose.
- twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:08 pm
  
  Actually, on roster and LU decisions I’m waaaaaaaay ahead of you. Don’t forget it.
  - Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:14 pm
    
    yeah. Right on. Go research the next Hacker spot start and get back to us…….
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:13 pm

2nd hit for Arias tonite. He’s definitely got another start coming over Pablo…
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:31 pm
  
  good. He can ride the treadmill for a few hours, that’s gotta be better for him than standing around third base all game. It would definitely be better for the team.
  Pablo has sucked for too long, you don’t get a free fucking pass to suck dick for months and have us all stammer around aimlessly mumbling *no homo* to ourselves……..
Alleykat said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:20 pm

Pablo as usual will be under the microscope this off-season.Boch is fuckin at his wits with his total lack of conditioning,Everytime he goes on the DL,(which is every year for long stretches) he
doesn’t do shit but party and fucks bimbo’s and makes a total embarassment of the org.
Has no power right now,last bomb,July 8th, back swinging with his hand underneath the knob of the bat,cause he’s stubborn to change and now has no power.
He’s a fucking Tub that can’t bend to field any slow roller or bunt, he’s bigger then 2010 when he lost his job to Uribe.Boch may do the same with Arias taking over,but probably not,but he could easily be shipped out for his dream job as a “Porker” DH in the AL 2013.
He will never play more than 120 games with that body,in the field in the NL.Only in AL,where he just has to bat and stuff his face between every AB he might get in more games.
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:26 pm
  
  A good deal of this fat problem is on the Giants—giving a guy who they KNEW was immature and irresponsible 18 million dollars was just fucking stupid—and they know this guy’s personality WAY more than anything that the press has fed us. And yet they still did it. Unreal.
  He’s fucking fat and happy, he’s not gonna do shit to fix the personal and physical issues that have stalled his career……..
  - snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:32 pm
    
    Totally agree. The Giants have LET this kid go large, as far as I know. Panda hats, the happy Panda, blah blah. The reason fans are finally getting POd at him I think isn’t so much the money, it’s the fact that he’s wasting a ton of talent and potential, AND this is the SECOND time around for this, after 2010. If we had a media corp with some balls, we’d be hearing more about what’s really going on with him, and why the hell he’s so out of shape. Does management try to discipline him, and he ignores them? Does he go out in the middle of the night and binge on pirogis and beer? What? It’s like he just shows up and gets fatter and fatter, and everybody throws up their hands about it until the offseason, when he’s supposed to go to the fat farm and get back in shape again…
- PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:35 pm
  
  I don’t know, I suppose I can’t successfully counter what you say, Kat, but it strikes me as unduly harsh. As noted here last night, the Rockies announcers (boy, are they dull!) say his hand is hurting him. That doesn’t excuse mental lapses and lack of conditioning, but the World Wildlife Federation may file a grievance against you for endangering the welfare of pandas.
  - snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:40 pm
    
    Yeah, Pawlie, the possibility of the hamate injury still bothering him is something to consider. He’d get more fan sympathy for the decline in production if he weren’t so huge, and getting to the point where his defense seems to be getting impaired again (2010) by his rotundity…
  - Alleykat said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:19 pm
    
    Yes i may have been “over the top” harsh Pawlie,and Panda does have talent when he makes efforts to stay in shape( his rook year,and last year) till he hits the DL and blows up with the hamate bone injuries and hamstring pulls.
    Once he’s not with the team,all hell breaks loose with him.Just fed up with it and had to vent.
    incredible stops and dig outs of his shit throws to save runs.Similar to Posey getting beat up by Timmy’s plate bouncers,now Hector’s problems,cause Tim’s a puss and won’t “Man Up” after a No-nosense Posey probably told the wall-flower to “Stick it
    where the Sun don’t shine”.
- twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:36 pm
  
  Panda will be back in soon.
  - Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:50 pm
    
    well they have some time to wait on him due to the lead they have. But his slump has been long. At some point you cut bait if he can’t hang in a September pennant race. He’s been in 2 of them and he’s not stepping up in this one (or the last one). Guys that produce at this point in the season play, period…….
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:28 pm

I do not understand why Lincecum cannot seem to even try to keep runners close at first. He’s been that way since the beginning. I wonder if the bench ever calls for him to throw over?…
- PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:36 pm
  
  It’s been true of a lot of power pitchers over the years, hasn’t it? Nolan Ryan and Dwight Gooden come to mind, but I could be imagining that.
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:36 pm

Fuck, Blanco. Man on third and he can’t even get the bat on the ball…
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:37 pm
  
  And, Scutaro saves his ass with the RBI with two down. Sweet….
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:38 pm

Marco. The Great Hit Explorer.
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:42 pm
  
  Marco Scutaro is just a guy I shrugged sideways to. I barely noticed the pick up until Denny went bezerko about it. But he has been a revelation. Of all the Dodger pick ups, if you factor in the clubhouse presence that every Giant swears by with this dude, Marco Scutaro might have been the best pick up out of all 6 of those chumps they acquired………..
paulinasia said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:44 pm

Quick question to all of you who can actually *see* the games on a regular basis. From my rather obscured observation post about 10,000 miles away, it seems the team is doing something else very well these days: Bochy calling for a lot of sacrifices, and the players deemed to do the sacrifice coming through every time. Have you noticed that, is it true or not true, or does it just seem that way to me as I peruse the game-view record of the games? It’s a good thing; they seem to be manufacturing runs very well, executing well, which they’ll need, since compared to 2 years ago, they won’t have the power they did then in the playoffs but can still do well with excellent execution.
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:01 pm
  
  I haven’t noticed it but I also thought it was always unfair to say Bochy didn’t ever sacrifice. I think he is doing it now with players that can actually do it. Not everyone can. But others may feel differently.
  Paul, what’s shaking this morning in Hanoi (or where ever you are in relation to it)
- paulinasia said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:08 pm
  
  Yeah, it was just an observation, just seems like the team is executing better than I remember in the past on moving runners into position. Hanoi… way up north from me here in the south in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Interesting place to visit but wouldn’t really want to live there, much more traditional and not as free-wheelin’ as Saigon is. Morning here, monsoon just ripped through, now quiet again as I prepare for my afternoon classes. Oh, and, recently found a softball league here. The locals are getting more interested in our beloved past-time!
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:47 pm

If Arias could keep up his hitting a nice single or double every game, with an occasional two hit game, and very solid D at third, I’ll take him right now over Pablo. Very easy decision. No homer in two months for Pablo and a .slg way below .300 since he came back just doesn’t justify keeping him in. Plus, Arias is way more agile on D at third. That game last Sunday where he swung and got out on the first pitch of every one of his 4 ABs did it for me — he should ride pine, and the exercycle, for a while…
- twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:49 pm
  
  I think they’re facing a few lefties now, after that Pablo will be back, If he still struggles, they’ll look at again.
  - twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:51 pm
    
    Or they might platoon them.
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:53 pm

Tim gives up a cripple RBI hit to a no-name bum with two outs, yet again. Same story, repeated often this year. Then, he blows away the next guy to end the inning. Just weird…
paulinasia said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:54 pm

Yeah, huh, kinda parallel to 2010, Pablo “losing” exclusive hold on 3rd base in the final month of the season….
demp28 said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:56 pm

During this game, I aged five years, the stock market crashed then recovered, and Apple came out with the iPhone 6 and 7.
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 7:57 pm

I would love to see Tim hang in there, gut it out, and prevail to the point where he brings his ERA into the 4 zone tonight. It would be a psychological lift.
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:01 pm
  
  So would I. But, he’s gotta be done. 6 innings, over 100 pitches. 3 earnies. Not bad, in the scheme of recent events, especially at Coors. He gutted out another one, and should be leaving with the lead. That’s not the old Tim, but I’ll take it…
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:07 pm

Why am I nervous with a 6-3 lead at Coors in the 7th with the Giants 2nd string relievers coming in?
Because I should be…
- demp28 said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:22 pm
  
  I saw Affeldt warming up in the ‘pen. This might be a three Martini night as opposed to one.
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:09 pm

I like Kontos. He essentially has taken the role of Ramon Ramirez — has he not? — and done admirably.
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:21 pm
  
  I dunno, Pawlie. Admirable?
  I’d go Captainable, at best.
  Definitely above swabbyable…
Bozo said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:10 pm

I gotta admit I’m not seeing the Arias thing. To me it’s become similar to the Nate cult. IMO the guy is an OK role player one that is probably more suited to an OF position than an IF one. He’s OK at third, at SS he’s a bust (again. IMO), he seems OK if the ball is hit directly at him but I think he is out of position a lot. I thought the play he made in Cain’s perfecto was a fuck up that he recovered on (credit for the recovery).
Sorry but I’m on the Panda bus for Third, apparently I’m in the minority on this but I think he brings much more to the table (no pun intended).
- willedav said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:44 pm
  
  I probably see less games than most of you guys, but imo Arias is not an everyday player, at 3b or anywhere else. He’s really a hacker type too with little plate discipline, and I think he has shown that with more PT the avg will drop precipitously. Scutaro didn’t look any more than adequate defensively at 3b either, but you could go there if you wanted Theriot back at 2b, which isn’t thrilling either. 3b by committee too?
  Pablo’s last month or so has been frustrating to watch, but SF is hard pressed for a better option right now. Yes I saw the numbers, but he has hit .300 in the past and has gotten off to good starts before injuries seem to disrupt his seasons. I’d play him like bochy used to do Burrell–7 innings, and then lift him for a d-sub if you’re ahead or PR for him if he gets on and you are behind.
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:19 pm

Again, I’m not diggin’ Bochy’s one pitcher for one batter thing.
And, just as I write that, Blanco saves a run…
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:20 pm

Schulman tweeted that the Freak has the best ERA of all our starters since July 31; 3.38, I believe. Surprised me. Niiiiiiiiiice catch by Blanco!
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:23 pm
  
  Tim’s starts are always gut it out jobs. Like pulling teeth. That’s why it’s surprising. But, I’ll give it to him. He’s lost his control, but through sheer force of will he gets through it, like tonight…
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:23 pm
  
  that’s an ominous sign for the future.
  - snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:25 pm
    
    What it means is that this team will have a hard time getting past the first round of playoffs…
  - Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:34 pm
    
    Personally, I think they’d be fine no matter what. I’ll discuss it in tomorrow’s thread which I’ll take for Chuck because he taking a break from the blog……..
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:33 pm

AZ 3 LA 2 top 7th
twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:37 pm

I predicted tht Cain/MadBum/Lincecum will be the first three starters in the NLDS, barring injury. The exact order of those three will depend on match ups. Why don’t you guys call who you think the first three will be?
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:38 pm
  
  Right now, I’m with you on that lineup. But, Bum’s not looking that great lately, either…
  - twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:42 pm
    
    He’s not looking bad enough to be bumped from “The Three”, IMO.
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:40 pm
  
  well what simple fuck couldn’t see that happening? All 5 are in the same boat at this point……..
  - snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:42 pm
    
    The USS Arm Weary?…
  - twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:44 pm
    
    So do you have a call on the three?
  - Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:45 pm
    
    yes, it’s going to come from the 5 we have.
  - twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:45 pm
    
    Why the aggression again?
  - Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:45 pm
    
    read your fucking email and fuck you
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:39 pm

Demp, you got that one Martini goin? Affeldt’s giving signs of a second one needed soon…
- demp28 said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:48 pm
  
  I feel better now. Thanks for asking snarkk. Hiccup.
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:50 pm
  
  False alarm. He got it done. Go ahead with the second one, though, if it’s already fired up. I’m heading for a small tumbler of bourbon…
TedSpe said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:50 pm

6-3;;; 9th inning. Been busy the last couple days, lads, busy. Work and business and pleasure.
Haven’t the time to read all everyting so to sum up my belated comments as they apply:

I totally agree
You are so fucking wrong.
Me? I don’t think so.
You? Get real.
YEAH!!!!
NO!!!!
Seriously?
Uh uh

Please apply these responses in their proper territory.
Thanks
- PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:58 pm
  
  Joey Reynolds, a dj in buffalo in the sixties would do something like that w/ baseball scores: 8-3, 2-0, 2-1, 10-8, 6-2. Funny at the time. This was just before we all got high for the next decade or so. Coincidence?
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:52 pm

Alright Pence! RBI triple. Nice insurance run, that helps…
PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:52 pm

They Might Be Triplers.
TedSpe said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:54 pm

Flav, gotsta say, digging the “magic number” countdown with a vintage Giant
Keep it up.

Fuck—8 to 3
Nice fucking inning
- Flavor said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:58 pm
  
  and I can’t wait for tomorrow’s number either.
  - TedSpe said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:27 pm
    
    Outstanding, sir
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:54 pm

Arias with the sac fly. Nice job.
Sheezus, if the 2010 Giants scored like this, they’d have won 115…
Salty said, on September 12, 2012 at 8:57 pm

Did I hear right, the G’s lead the league in runs scored for the 2nd half?
TedSpe said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:00 pm

If Colorado has any chance, in a pig’s eye, they’ll be as happy as…as…well, if you thought you killed your boss and found out you didn’t:
snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:03 pm

Bochy’s walking a rut into the field from the dugout to the mound changing all these guys to play the lefty righty. I hope he doesn’t go Felipe Alou on us and blow out everybody’s arm by Oct 1…
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:06 pm
  
  Romo? With a 5 run lead? Really? I know there’s an off day tomorrow, but come on…
Salty said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:04 pm

snarrkk, you worry too much.
Salty said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:05 pm

Save some stomach lining for the playoffs.
TedSpe said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:05 pm

Sung to the tune of “Love and Marriage”:

Dodgers losing, Dodgers losing
Makes ya think about Lasorda snoozing
This I’ll tell ya,yooooou bu..uh.uhms
Ya can’t just win the West with just a…..
A shitload of money poured in on a bunch of fucking mediocre fuckheads anyway with just HamRam or whatever the fuck his name is but the rest of it was just a joke and you can kiss my ass and smile with your shit eating grin and go fuck yourselves and goodnight nurse Magic Johnson and all the rest of you La La Land fuckheads what annoy me to no end and…end…

Sorry
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:07 pm
  
  I can imagine ‘ol Blue Eyes crooning it personally to Tommy.
  Especially now that LA just LOST AGAIN!…
- PawlieKokonuts said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:07 pm
  
  LNQBOLTM.
twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:06 pm

Bochy is the best bullpen handler in the game, and it’s not close.
- snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:08 pm
  
  Not saying he’s not. But, using Romo in this spot seems premature and overkill, especially with his elbow…
- TedSpe said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:09 pm
  
  Manager of the Year is not out of the question.
  Giants win. 7 games up
  - snarkk said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:14 pm
    
    East coast bias. Bochy’s not even on the MOY radar. Showalter gets it if the O’s get into the POs, maybe even if they don’t. Melvin or Bochy should get it, but the ECoast is barely now paying attention to the A’s…
- Alleykat said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:14 pm
  
  His best work is still ahead of him Twin.Especially once they clinch,and Boch has to figure out how to get all nineteen pitchers into one game.
  - twinfan1 said, on September 12, 2012 at 9:16 pm
    
    Oh, he’ll have no problem- and they’ll win 2-1..