Pre-game / post-game thread

Posted in Uncategorized by unca_chuck on October 18, 2012

This thread is going to be a double whammy in honor of the Giants and 49ers both playing at the same time tonight. This is the 3rd time this post-season that both teams have played on the same day. The first occasion the Niners won big at home. However, the Giants lost 9-0 to Cincinnati. A week later was perhaps one of the darkest days in SF sports memory, as the Niners were embarassed by the NY Giants and the SF Giants couldn’t quite come back from their 6-0 deficit vs the Cards. The hope this Thursday night of course is that both teams come through in this very real crunch time for both teams.

Not all of you are football fans, but sorry, my thread tonight. The Niners are at the point of their season that will make or break their playoff run. Yes it’s early, but losing to Seattle at home would be a huge blow to their season. Gone is the euphoria of beating the Packers and the Lions. The Jets and Bills are but a distant memory after the smackdown delivered by the visiting Giants. I suspect Jim Harbaugh will tone down the gimmick plays, and try to get the team back to the style of play that got them their wins. Tough running, with short/mid-range passes liberally sprinkled in to keep the chains moving, and the defense fresh. Score early and keep Seattle’s quick strike offense off the field. Pressure their rookie QB Russell Wilson and force mistakes.

The Giants? Well, we all know the deal. 11 LOB. 7 RISP left dangling in the wind. Pence has caught his dose of shit for being little more than a cheerleader at this point. 0 RBIs in 8 games will get you that. Bochy likely won’t go ape-shit with the changes. That being said, I’d sure like to see Buster catching instead of Hector, and he and Panda swap spots in the batting order. I’d also like to see Pence and Belt swap spots (if Hector isn’t catching and thus Belt out). Timmy also gets his game on. He’s been nails as a closer so far, and was even stretched to 4 innings vs Cincy, so we’ll see how he does as a starter. I hope, at least early on, he pitches out of the stretch. This seemed to keep his shit in order.

There you go. Depending on how this goes, what follows could very well be a drunken screed about the impending doom of both my favorite sports teams, and the suckiness of life in general.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Well, not too hammered, but I am bummed. Spent the last 3 hours flipping back and forth between the games and scaring the shit out of the animals. As much shit at Timmy may or may not get, he was getting killed by ground balls early on. And of course the offense, minus Pagan and Scoots, was DOA. We don’t score, we don’t win. Pence got his 1st ribbie, on a solo shot, goddamnit. If he hit that yesterday, well, we’d be sitting pretty. Thing is, I didn’t like the decision to put Hector behind the plate. You have to wonder if Buster makes the short-hop play at the plate. That gets made and the bleeding is lessened. Shit, who knows? You just can’t weaken 2 positions and lose Belt in the playoffs. With every game meaning so much, the strategy sucks. I think everyone is pretty much down with this, and the bitch is, do we get the same thing tomorrow? Since Zito’s going, are we really going to sit Belt again? I sure hope not.

As for the Niners? Hey, winning ugly sure beats losing ugly. Smith had a not-so-spectacular game to say the least, but Gore was a monster. The defense was back to being fairly disruptive, but for a few drops by the Seahawks, this game could have gone a lot differently. I REALLY didn’t get Harbaugh not taking the safety at the end, though. The spread was 7, and the margin of victory would have been 9. Weird. It’s stuff like that where you scratch your head and think, hmmmmmmmmmm. Shit, this thing is getting too long. Good night madams and monsueirs

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gianthead said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:31 pm

Thank you wilco
PawlieKokonuts said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:33 pm

Nothing original to add. What an utterly satisfying win. Sure, I want us to go to the World Series, but I need to first remind myself to savor this and how we got here: the relative ease of winning the NL West, the upset of the Reds, and coming back from elimination in this game. One day, one game at a time. “Happy flight” was the Cards’ motto in the regular season stretch run last year. #irony I would not in the least mind it if I am forced to crazily scramble through the Internet Monday night/Tuesday morning looking for flights to San Francisco — or places to stay HINT HINT.
- zumiee said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:41 pm
  
  Well said, and I’m so glad the Giants didn’t go out quietly tonight, but rose to the occasion. It just makes a huge difference to how I’ll see this season no matter what happens the rest of the way.
  I think it was Chuck (?) who posted the famous poem about not going quietly into the dark night. The Giants were the Giants again tonight, and it’s a real nice feeling.
snarkk said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:36 pm

I was at a pizza bar slugging a Redhook ESB and waiting for my older Snarkette to finish her riding lesson a few miles away when Zito dropped that bunt down and legged it out for the hit and run #4. I almost did a spit take. That was sweet. The Fox close up on him standing at first suggested he was incredulous, too, and channeled some heavy duty Eastern zenshit there to get it done. I dunno whether he did that on his own, or Bochy called it, but whichever, that was brilliant. I’ve long said Zito is the best bunter of all the pitchers, which makes no sense at all since he was an AL pitcher most of his career. But, he is, and it helps his cause. As a bunt lover, that was a thing of absolute beauty…
- PawlieKokonuts said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:41 pm
  
  It really was priceless, as was his facial expression. And thanks for using “incredulous” properly.
  - snarkk said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:50 pm
    
    When I know you’re on the blog, I make sure to consult The Elements of Style before I post… 😉
  - James said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:53 pm
    
    Heck, he’s a Fowlers dude!
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:01 pm
    
    I can be accused of being a persnickety philistine.
- twinfan1 said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:45 pm
  
  Bochy has indicated it was all Zito’s idea. When asked if Zito had done it before, Bochy had a good line, “Well, he’s tried”..
  - snarkk said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:51 pm
    
    That makes it all the sweeter…
Wilcojoe said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:36 pm

It’s amazing to watch those defensive highlights tonight and then think back to how bad our defense was in the first two months.
PawlieKokonuts said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:39 pm

As others have said, Zito’s bunt single? Holy mackerel. In the archives forever. I was an apologist for him for the longest time based a lot on no more than seeing him beat the Phils in person in SF in August 2009. Did I jump off that bandwagon? You bet; after the Padres 2010 game. Did I ever hitch a ride back on? At times. This year’s shutout in Colorado. Anyway, he was very steady, had great defense and good offense. I’m hearing more and more how beloved he is in the clubhouse. Posey just said Zito’s work ethic is second to none. It’s one game, one win. But it sho’ ‘nuf beats a miserable flight of despair home.
stixwiz said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:42 pm

The $126M MAN finally won his spurs across the Bay from his old digs. He had to go from the Golden Gate to the Gateway Arch to pull it off, but he finally won the love of The City. If Vogelsong and Cain pitch the way we know they can and provided they get some stick behind them we will witness St. Louis going down in a fog.
mrmrbill said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:46 pm

Winning “the right” game goes miles towards erasing — or at least softening — a 6 yr clusterfk 🙂
- PawlieKokonuts said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:02 pm
  
  good to see you here again, MrMrMrMrMr
Flavor said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:50 pm

As I had hoped, we now at least get to go back to SF—semi-victory tonight with the “better than you” St Louis fans not having to celebrate on my tv tonight.
The Zito double-take down the 3rd base line was epic. The bunt, spectacular theater.
Just be happy we get another day, fellas. Another “breath”. Figurative or not, it demands your attention and no matter what happens going forward, there will be a day in January or so where you’ll appreciate October 21st, 2012 and give yourself a “knowing dude head nod” just for emphasis….
- blade3colorado said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:54 pm
  
  Weird Flav, but I will probably remember this game more than many other epic wins, if only because our backs were against the wall, coupled with the Zen Master pitching. Who’d of thunk it? 🙂
- PawlieKokonuts said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:04 pm
  
  strange, I was literally nodding as I read this, even before I got to “knowing dude head nod”
snarkk said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:53 pm

Whether all this ends Sunday, Monday or with a World Series win, I’m going to miss this shit when it’s done…
- willedav said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:13 pm
  
  goes for all of us. POTD right there.
ewisco said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:54 pm

just a huge win.
twinfan1 said, on October 19, 2012 at 8:56 pm

Hey, how right on can a guy be? Zito as now made 174 starts here and I’ve already called a win in one of them
- ewisco said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:02 pm
  
  michael, i can’t tell you how much i enjoy how humble you are, no matter the circumstance. you probably gave lessons to the anti-christ, i mean BZ.
  - ewisco said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:03 pm
    
    i should tack on a smiley face, just so you know i’m teasing.
  - twinfan1 said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:10 pm
    
    I do hope you enjoy how much was making fun of myself , hard to know.. 1 and 173 probably won’t challenge Craig’s prognostication lead.
  - ewisco said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:12 pm
    
    I still think it was amusing.
  - twinfan1 said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:15 pm
    
    Thanks, Eric. I was truly fretting that somehow my jest was misunderstood.
- Flavor said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:10 pm
  
  Ha, this is the type of post I would expect from you. Go jack Timmy off again.
  Good night.
  And don’t say this is a joke. People that aren’t funny don’t joke.
  - twinfan1 said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:20 pm
    
    I couldn’t have been more more clear how great I thought Zito was Noting that I had now predicted one victory of 174 starts was obviously making fun of myself.
PawlieKokonuts said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:05 pm

#rallyzito #savor
unca_chuck said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:05 pm

Amazed at the incredulosity of it all.

Anyhow. The Giants have a planeload of momentum coming home.
snarkk said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:12 pm

Right now, there is no game 7.
There is only a game 6.
And, it must be won.
Why the Fuck NOT?…
- ewisco said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:15 pm
  
  if you’d like an argument, you’ll have to pick a different subject.
unca_chuck said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:21 pm

Coming down to the end of this run I never would have believed that Vogie and Zito would be the money guys.
zumiee said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:24 pm

Last year, Zito missed 99 games and we were GLAD. What a difference from last year.
twinfan1 said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:27 pm

Well, I said before each game that I thought Vogelsong and Zito would do well. Was unfortunaely right on MadBum, unfortunately wrong about Tim.I always expect Cain to pitch well.
ewisco said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:51 pm

i’m so truly bummed that my prediction of the giants in 6 is gone. i suck as a prognosticator.
- twinfan1 said, on October 19, 2012 at 10:05 pm
  
  I had them in 5, Eric.. And i’ve never called a perfect game in my life. Just one cruddy HR that barely cleared the fence. See, I won’t even let anyone suck more than me.
ewisco said, on October 19, 2012 at 9:59 pm

Flavor started us on the “knowing dude” head bob. but i find myself walking around the house giving the quiet, knowing dude, “yes”. i usually accompany it with a fist pump of some sort. but this is what the post season does: the quiet, known only to ourselves, acknowledgement of accomplishment (say that three times really fast). so to all you flappers, i give you a quiet fist pump and a profound “yes”.
- TedSpe said, on October 19, 2012 at 10:20 pm
  
  Not to take anything away from Flavor who is, of course, our hero here but–Knowing Head Dude Nod was mine
  I’m feeling–Vogelicious right now. Kinda–eerie. And being the Greek that I am:
  - tedspe said, on October 19, 2012 at 10:23 pm
    
    And yes, for those who were wondering..we Greeks really *do* dress like that at family gatherings.
    Okay at New Years but a little awkward on Thanksgivings Day. What with Papoo and Yaya and all…
  - tedspe said, on October 19, 2012 at 10:29 pm
    
    Let’s see Hunter Pence pull this off
  - zumiee said, on October 19, 2012 at 10:37 pm
    
    Can he get his voice that low?
tedspe said, on October 19, 2012 at 10:36 pm

By the way, whilst criticizing the zone tonight, the best line I read here on the Flap was:
“The Greg Maddux Memorial Strike Zone”
THAT was classic
twinfan1 said, on October 19, 2012 at 10:41 pm

Paul Ryan’s constant head bob totally fucked the “knowing dude” part for me. Bummer. Far better if pacing about pumping one’s fist is to remember Jeff Bridges as “Dude” Lebowski. For me, that is.If I bobbed my head much. Some idiot installed a chandelier at head level with nothing to put under it. I’m both the idiot who installed the chandelier and the moron who whacks it daily.
So I appreciate Ted as a “knowing dude” but I do a head wiggle.
- tedspe said, on October 19, 2012 at 11:04 pm
  
  Funny, my friend. But anything Paul “Eddie Munster” Ryan does has nothing to do with knowing dude head nod.
  He simply is *not* a knowing dude
  - twinfan1 said, on October 19, 2012 at 11:25 pm
    
    Well, I kinda said that.
ChiPower said, on October 19, 2012 at 10:45 pm

WHOOT! What a fucking intense game. I think Gail told me to settle my ass down about a dozen times before I had a heart attack.

One Day, One Game at a Time!

GIANTS!!!
tedspe said, on October 19, 2012 at 11:08 pm

Weird.
Do I care more who wins the Presidency– or who wins the World Series
Giants or Obama? Giants or Obama? Giants or Obama?
Oh fuck it.
I WANT BOTH !!!!
Goodnight, gentlemen (question mark)
snarkk said, on October 19, 2012 at 11:12 pm

New thread is up…
twinfan1 said, on October 19, 2012 at 11:21 pm

All the panty wringing stuff caused me to discontinue wearing underwear. Check your E-Mails for photos of me wearing the kilt I used to don for the Scottish Games, and nothing else, Or you might change your E-Mail, it’s not pretty. Below you’ll see one of m dearly beloved late chickens quite het up and in a panty wringing snit over a corn feed dispute