Keys to the Game…(Plus Posts from Flavor and WillieD)
Flavor Note: This is what happens when one of the stable boys bails on his day. Dirt, I love ya my man! But you flaked today! Anyway, me, Chi and WillieD decided all at once to throw up a thread so I just decided to consolidate them all into one. Pick your topic or start a new one. It’s an anything goes(!) day at The Flap!
This is a freaking WILD way to start off a Sunday, eh? I’ve never felt so alive!!!!!!!
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Posted in Uncategorized by chipower9 on October 21, 2012 Edit This
Keys to the Game:
For the Cards, one of the biggies is obviously Carpenter. He wasn’t exceptionally sharp in game 2. The Cards need a better effort from their starter.
Errors. In the games the Cards have lost, they committed errors (two in game 2). Games they won, they were error free. This may seem overly simplified, but it is the reality of the situation.
Bats – were the Cards bats silent in games 2 and 5 or was that the case because of exceptional pitching by the Giant starters? I think it was some of both.
Giants – it all starts and ends with the starters. Games 2 and 5 were wins and the starters were nails. Vogey and Zito were MONEY.
Outside of this, our 3-6 guys need to get it going. 4-8 no one is hitting over .235.
These are just a few of the things that jump out at me that could be key to the game.
What do you believe to be key…other than the final score? 😉
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Ho Hum, Another Elimination Game
We are good at these.
I don’t have a feeling about what’s going to happen. I think we’ll win but who knows. I find it funny that so many people are giving this game to the Cards before it’s been played just because Chris Carpenter’s on the mound. Newsflash: It’s not 2005 anymore. I bet Carpenter still wishes it was, he would still have all of his internal body parts inside of him.
Unless we lose in some horrific fashion I can’t imagine being disappointed with the outcome of this game. I didn’t think we’d be here after we went down 0-2 to the Reds so I’m just going to appreciate the gift that the team has given me. I’ll reflect on the season after it’s over and I’ll face another Winter when the time finally comes.
But for now, we’ve got one more game.
One.
More.
Game.
I’m excited.
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And if you don’t want to talk about either of the topics above there’s always WillieD’s thread to kick around:
announcers
OK so who do you want in there to replace the Fox guys?
Looking at the composite stats, Sf has more hits, has scored more runs and has slightly higher OB than Cards.
But I think Chi is right, all comes down to pitching and defense. Shadows for the late start?
I initially saw Craig’s thread, but not your’s, Willie. LMAO…three of us jumping all over that shit. Thanks Flav for the consolidation.
I think the Cards and our Giants are actually pretty evenly matched. I don’t think, overall, that one team is significantly better than the other.
Announcers? Fuck, ANYONE but those two fucks who are so busy sucking-off the Cards that they fail to take notice of what the Giants are doing on the field. I would love to hear almost anyone except these two. But, unfortunately, I think we’re stuck with them even through the WS.
Demp came up for a BBQ yesterday and was telling me that he had the boob-tube turned down and radio on for game 5. Delay of about 20 seconds on the tube. Not sure I can handle that much of a delay. Loved it back in the day when they (tv and radio) were basically synched. I ALWAYS turned down the tube and listened to the radio then. Ah, the good ol’ days.
I too am excited as hell about today’s game. And like Craig, have no brash prediction. If the Giants get a good start ouf of Vogel-TRON and generate some offense, I like our chances. Just get through this mother today to live, breathe, and play ONE MORE GAME.
I’m going with the idea Carpenter isn’t the same guy, but still worried he gives them enough and the pen does the rest. On the other hand, praying Pablo is just warming up and becomes the MVP of the series. He’s the other guy who was forgotten in 2010.
Another key I believe is if the Giants can get an early lead. The Cards have to be feeling some pressure, and that would just add to it. Hey, the more the better.
One of the morning guys on KNBR was talking about how he synched up the radio to the tv. I only caught the tail end of it but couldn’t understand how he would do this with the radio being 20 seconds (or more) ahead of the tv.
Did anyone else here Mac or Murphiot discuss this on KNBR this week?
Did not, but would be interested. I LOVED IT when you could turn the TV down and listen to the radio and they were basically in synch. I always have my headphones/KNBR on when attending a Giant game. Baseball on the radio is just one of the most beautiful things in the world…I mean right there with an extremely beautiful, naked woman.
Another thing to factor: We should get this game in without rain, I think it’s all coming later this evening.
But it’s supposed to rain all day tomorrow and Tuesday so that could be an issue.
Crap – did not know that about the rain. If we win today, I have a ticket for game 7…but I really don’t want to drive all the way to SF for a rainout, go back on Tuesday and have another rainout. I’m unemployed and gas isn’t free – stupid weather!!!!!!
well don’t listen to me, I’m no weatherman. But that’s what I heard.
Like most of you, I’m not ready for the Hot Stove season to start up. Tie this series up and make an elimination game for both teams. Get us another day Giants!
On the announcers, first thing is get rid of FOX altogether. For selfish reason, I’d love a station that has two channels, so during black outs in the regular season I might still be able to see a West Coast team back here.
The announcers? Before getting rid of them could we please see the guy who puts the stick up Buck’s ass and twists it to move his head.
Getting MLB.com, I get to hear a bunch of goobers around the country but I’m sure someone could be found. But please, no Ted Robinson, he’s a fucking jinx to the Giants and gets excited over the smallest thing. I’m sure one day he’ll say something like “Wow, that player just passed gas. I bet that will make him faster”.
Hahahahahaha!!! Maybe if you lit it!
Ferret’s key to the game: the crowd. There is more to home field advantage than getting last ups. That place needs to ROCK tonight. Do not get down if the Cards score early, keep the noise coming – let the guys know you are with them for every pitch!!!
Go Vogel-tron!!! Go Giants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Willie’s question: FanGraph’s contributer Carson Cistulli rates the top ten local guys. He has K and K third, then the Met’s team, and Scully number 1. Scully isn’t what he once was but what 103 year old guy guy is? A favorite of mine and my pick for the play-by-guy is Dewayne Staats, currently doing the Rays. The main reason I pick him, though, is because he sounds almost exactly like Jack Buck, and replacing Joe with his Dad’s sound alike is just so perfect. The color guy? Since this is all an academic issue anway, I’m going with the late Halsey Hall. He actually did utter the comment, during a slow and meagerly attended Twin’s game, regarding a smooching young couple in the stands, that he kissed her on the strikes and she kissed him on the balls. And in doing a little googling I see that another fine line was “Michigan comes onto the field in blue jerseys and maize pants. And how they got into Mae’s pants, I’ll never know.”
Saw this quote from Sabean in an AP story yesterday that I thought was interesting:
“Sometimes you wonder how much at this stage that there is a home-field advantage,” Sabean said. “In some cases, because of the bullpens, it’s probably as much as whoever gets the lead and can hold off the other ballclub from scoring will win the ballgame. We know what’s at stake. We know that they’re going to put a game against us. I’m sure Vogey will be ready.”
Chi mentioned it earlier, and that’s getting the lead because, as Sabean mentione, both bullpens have been so damn tough in the late innings. Only one team has come from behind to win, the Cards in Game 3, and that was only a 1-0 deficit. So yeah, get the lead and put all the pressure on the Cards.
.
Two items, gleaned from the Giants website:
1. Angel Pagan is a boxing enthusiast and one of his favorite expressions (and his way of playing) is “fighting like an upside-down cat.” If THAT is not the freaking best characterization of this team, I don’t know what is.
2. Joaquin Arias is the youngest of 21 siblings. He knows what HUNGRY means. We are HUNGRY!
RE #2: The Dominican Duggers?…
Just spoke to a Giants official in an attempt to get WS credentials. Hey, why not try? I’m told the deadline was October 4 and you have to go through MLB. I’m on it. #Whythehellnot
WhyTheFuckNot…Good luck Pawlie…that would be bad ass! Hey, know any good graphic artists, and we could replicate that motherfucker, and flood the game with “Flappers.”
FIGHTING LIKE AN UPSIDE-DOWN CAT (just wanted to say it again)
Fighting like an upside-down cat. I like the way that rolls off of the tongue.
I really liked Gary Plummer. A lot. He told the audience the truth regardless of how it made the team look. Eric Davis is ok. Plummer was fantastic.
Apparently he told too much truth about his lifestyle…
Yeah. Too bad, at least for those who enjoyed listening to him on the radio
My solution to te broacast issue is imple -I am usually farting around on this here computer, so I have the game on the radio. But, I keep the tv on, muted, so if something exciting happens, I can run in the tv room and see the play – my own little ‘real time’ replay. You couldn’t pay me to listen to those Fox idiots!
Go Giants!!! We Score We Win
Thanks to the Zen Master, our bullpen is pretty damned rested. On the flip-side, the Cards used four relievers in game 5…all for at least an inning.
WillieD mentioned that stats being close. Here they are:
Hitting: (Avg, OBP, SLG, OPS)
SF: .233, .284, .361, .660
ST: .233, .284, .356, .640
Pitching: (ERA, WHIP, BB, H, HR, R, ER)
SF: 3.77, 1.12, 10, 38, 3, 18, 18
ST: 2.66, 1.25, 15, 40, 4, 20, 13
Each team has committed 3 errors.
FP: StL – .984, SF .983
Pretty damned close.
And when you get down to a gnats ass, it really doesn’t matter. Just score more runs than the fucking redbirds and live to play another day!
2 things that made me chuckle this morning:
1) the top story at espn is titled: “Yankee GM: A-Rod No Longer Untouchable” –haha, yeah, I bet teams are just gonna be lining up to take on that stiff and the 100+ million he’s still owed.
2) Yahoo story (might have been mlb.com, can’t remember) where the headline was mocking how bad the Giants offense has been in the NLCS and that the Cards are pitching around Posey–well, it hasn’t been good and they ARE pitching around Posey.
But a quick check of the stats show the Giants beating St Louis in just about every offensive category.
BA .237 > .233
Slugging: .361 > .356
OPS: .660 > .640
OBP: .299 > .284.
Didn’t see too many articles shitting on the St Louis offense. Not one actually. But I read a bunch of articles about what a big game pitcher Carpenter is and how we’re gonna get shut down tonight.
I do think it’s going to be low scoring but I think we win this game. 2-0, 1-0, 2-1, something like that…….
I have heard they YankMees are willing to eat a big chunk of his contract (think it was something like 70%). Amazing…70 mil just to go the fuck away…I know you admire their organization, Craig, but if they do indeed eat a large potion of the contract just to move him, well…that just isn’t smart business. Fuck the Yankees.
I don’t think I’ve said “admired” and if I did say that it’s not really what I meant. I’m drawn to the whole soap opera scene. A-rod is an ongoing example of that.
Too funny…you and I posted stats at the same time…
On Carpenter/Vogelsong- As talked about before, two of the toughest competitors in the game.He wasn’t “lights out”, but Carpenter was 4-0 in last year’s post season.He hasn’t been sharp in the the playoffs this year but he did shut out the Nats for 5 2/3 despite giving up 7 hits and a couple walks. I agree with Craig, though- no way he should be given the edge in the pitching match up. He’s pitched very little, and he’s facing some guys who seem to be doing a better job than they used to with the finesse pitchers. And since that inexplicable 7 game stretch, Vogelsong has been nails again. Plus this year we’re the team fighting off elimination, I think it’s 4 now. Vogie makes sure “we’ll see ya tomorrow night” and Matt shows why he’s the horse.
Yep…Giants have now won 4 elimination games.
Over on Comcast they say Vogs has to have chicken enchiladas the night before he pitches. Well, cheers to that and I hope this game put us on the path to WIN the whole Enchilada.
“San Francisco is a great city,” said David Freese, “but I wish we weren’t going back.”
Glad to have ya Dave. Why don’t you make arrangements for a wine tour or something tomorrow, because I don’t see you headed back to the land of Budweiser any time soon.
The Giants, they scratch ,they crawl,their fighting like an upside-down cat.
Giants will come out smoking,the Crowd will be jacked up,Carpenter gets lit up early and often.
Let’s go Giants…Let’s go Giants…Let’s go Giants…
I am SO BORED with football today…is it time for the FIRST PITCH, YET??!!
Me too Chi. A friend and I went to see Looper . . . If you get a chance see it. A very interesting and unique sci-fi movie, starring Bruce Willis. Yeah, not into football today and just doing some research on countries I want to back pack beginning in mid or late January.
My friend saw it – her review ‘I expected more time travel and less dismemberment’. Would you say that was a valid criticism
There was only one instance of that and it was key to the film (I don’t want to give the story away, so I wont say any more). The movie is unlike any sci-fi movie that you’ve ever seen, insofar as having a unique story line, but yes, it’s violent Jean. Every review that I have read, has given it excellent or very good reviews.
wouldn’t it be awesome if there were thousands of fighting upside-down cat banners? I had better Tweet it up.
This is kind of like playing a Pick 3 at the horse races. You win the first leg with a nice long shot but you still have to gut out two more wins.
No lineup changes btw
So is the new fightin’ song “Who Let the Cats Out” ?

the key to this game, as is true in almost any playoff game, is who gets the 2-out rbi base hit. those are the runs that win ball games. That’s why you see some many heros out of nowhere. right now, i like me some crawford. but that’s what st lou did last year in the ws and this year against the nats.
as for radio, i go radio and screw the delay. it actually keeps me calmer knowing the result of the play before i see it. and there’s more to the giant’s radio broadcast than k&K. i can’t imagine a better four man team in the bigs. vin is vin but i doubt he does an imitation of jon miller doing a japanese broadcast.
go giants!
Love Miller doing Scully in Japanese…that is some funny shit (not to mention the talent involved).
Chi..I agree. An awful day to not have a Niner game!!!
Since I have no idea what the key will be tonight, would that make me right whatever it is? OK, I didn’t think so…Actually, I think it will be the SF way- torture will be the key. And in case we have any fingernails left, a little more torture.
Positive thoughts…positive thoughts…positive thoughts…White Russians will be cranking and the Flap seems to be the other half of the lucky
Holliday out???? Is everything not going our way???
Holiday out is no guarantee of shit. Cueto went down and look what happened. Beltran went down and that fucking nameless outfielder won the game for them.
All I know is that….
we score we win
And AJ Pierzynski is a tool.
But who beat the Reds because Cueto could not pitch Game 4???? Just a reflection that we are getting the breaks, but no guarantee of anything.
But F Holliday anyway and Beltran and Carpenter…both of them!
The Kingston Trio! A blast from my parents’ past!
you make me feel ancient saying that
The Kingston Trio? Love it! Go Giants. Enjoy everyone.
Nasty stuff, Vogel-tron!!!!
#rallyVogey
feckingA, Vogel-tron!!!!
Jump on ’em early. Carpenter is basically in week 4 of spring training. They all expect him to be lights-out. It ain;t gonna happen. If you have TiVO or aa DVR or some shit, you can maybe synch up. Or it’ll just make it worse.
For some unknown reason, I can’t get AM stations in my house. Metal studs? When I get to within 10′ of my garage, AM goes into static mode.
Run it over the Internet…
And a trio of K’s!
Fuck yeah! Excuse the French . . . 🙂
Fuck that! Fuck Yeah! Screw the French! 🙂
First blood!!!
We scored first and we WILL win.
Pence NEEDS this.
Come on . . . . Sing a song of six pence.
Fuck . . .
TENSION ENVELOPES [sign on a company building along Route 80 near the GWB into NYC and description of my body, psyche, and soul] [I’ll send you a picture, Magnus, if you want to insert]
That crowd is fired up and so is Vogeltron!
Vogie’s on fire.
Fuck Molina . . .
WTG Belt!!!
The Giraffe has spoken ! ! !
Roll the dice, baby!
Fuck yeah!!!Booming Triple for Belt.I knew they were gonna smoke Carpenter’s Ass!
I think this will work in our favor…Come on Vogey!
Yup. Bucher boy . . . love it.
Butcher Boy – LOVE IT!!!!!
jinx . . . ! You owe me a coke.
I swear I hit send before Vogey made contact…But it was close.
Stick a knife in Carpenter. Or a nail gun…
Scoots scoots scoots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blockbuster, indeed! Go, go Scutaro!!!!!
Oh Fuck yeah!
FUCK! YEAH!!
Holliday’s on the bench. Scoots is pounding nails. Fuck yeah. baby!!
Difference between Bochy and Metheny . . . Bochy would have his ass out of there.
no doubt at all about that
Hilarious if Pablo goes yard.
Please baseball Gods, keep Carpenter in there for next inning.
me happy and less tense; tense, but less so
I’m rather fond at how it’s gone thus far…
yours fondly, pk
That’s my twinnie, reserved and cool, always!
C’mon Pablo. Apply the coup de grace.
To Carpenter that is.
I won’t relax unless a 12-run lead. Maybe not even then.
Can’t help it – FUCK YEAH!!!!!!
Hell yeah Jean! Roll the F bomb out . . . 🙂
Fuckin’ ehh MOFO.
Shit, Just watched Deer Hunter with my son last night. Fuckin’ A.
Fuckin’ A? Fuckin’ A.
great line from it: “This is this.”
love that film chuck
Speaking of nails, Christopher Walken is nails in that movie.
.There you go. Metheny is sticking too long with this guy. Love to see a bomb here.
Panda pouring it on…I’m Loving IT!
WHOOT! FUCK YEAH…
Scutaro is just fucking amazing. To think when we got him, it was like “oh, he’ll play some 2nd, maybe some SS, etc. will be good off the bench.” Fuck that…he has been solid gold!
10 for 22
he played third base the first few games he was here (panda was still on the DL) and Dennis was breathing fire about it at the time……..
I’m with Pawlie—- when it’s hits 12-0 I’ll relax.
MudBug with the bad ass backhand and throw!