Gaudin’s List
While watching Lincecum fail last night, suddenly, a movie idea just CAME to me. It’s about an American born pitcher named Chad Gaudin who is called on time and time again to save the asses of the starting pitchers on the San Francisco Giants. One by one, he relieves them, sparing their ERA’s from ballooning into horrific territory. But Gaudin can’t save them all and this ends up haunting him. If only he had more pitches in his arm! The movie ends with him on the DL recovering from Tommy John surgery. I was thinking of asking Spielberg to direct it…..
Gaudin’s List is now in serious jeopardy as Bochy has tabbed him to start Sunday against the Cardinals.
Trip out on this fact: Chad Gaudin is an arm we can’t do without this year. He’s CRITICAL to the team’s success or failure. And the kicker is that we simply don’t have enough Chad Gaudin’s to go around!
Chad Freaking Gaudin…..
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Well, so much for talk of offering Tiny Tim a new contract. 😉
Lincecum’s shortest and in my mind – worst start of the season. He walked four for the first time since April 9, though one of those free passes was intentional, and he matched his season low for SOs with 4. Lincecum will get the Blue Jays at home next week . . . OH MY GOD WE ARE IN TROUBLE! Send the Gaudin platoon to the rescue. I hope we have more than one . . .
“Send the Gaudin platoon to the rescue. I hope we have more than one . . .” We can always bring up Boof.
SF Giants, calling for Mr. Mota. Hey Guillermo, how’s the arm these days?
By the by, anyone who sees a silver lining in this mess, should read what the Big Kahuna said last night . . .
”I don’t know what happened,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ”We just didn’t play well. There’s no sugarcoating this thing. We pretty much covered all facets of the game tonight as far as not playing well.”
There are 3 off days in next 11 I think, tho it’s followed by two solid weeks of ball. See how this plays out.
I remember Kruk’s story about Philly, when team was scuffling at plate and a team meeting was called with Kruk and his buddies expecting hitters to get the brunt of it. Instead mgr. called out the SPs for not picking them up when they were going through a bad stretch. All that praise SF got for being the ultimate team players while winning last year, that’s what has to come to forefront now. It’s on everyone to pick each other up.
Reading the “Baseball in ’41” book, in ST the Dodgers and Giants played three exhibitions games in—–Havana. While I’m sure the political BS would not allow that today, why not go somewhere else in the Caribbean? The Giants themselves have a heavy Latin presence (at least 10-11) on current roster. How much would Pagan (et al) enjoy being able to address media in his native language and country? Didn’t the Nats in the Jose Vidro days (post Expos I think) play some home games during the reg season in PR?
Given that region of the world’s love for the game and its players I think it would be really cool for baseball to schedule some games there, and I think players and fans would really get into seeing the big stars play.
Politically and logistically, the easiest place to play would be Puerto Rico. btw, I noticed a couple of weeks back that Cespedes and Colon are the only Latin American players on the A’s 25, and I’ve never seen tv shot of those two talking to each other. Hard to imagine. The Giants’ Latin American players are constantly bullshitting and joking with one another.
Other than Crisp I think you’re right. With Meulens as interpreter, Giants could be at home dang near anywhere in the region.
I thought Coco grew up in LA.
So Pablo’s slumping, Posey’s slumping, Pagan’s hurt, the pitching’s not only ineffectual it’s exhausted as well, and the team has to get up early today, play another game, and then fly out to start tomorrow, with no off day, a series against the team with the best record in mlb. Great. Meanwhile, Flavor’s got a helluva point. Who has the best shot at making the AS team this year? Scutaro, as DH? Or Gaudin, if he somehow rises close to the impossible? (I can imagine room in the Chad Gaudin Story for a one-inning AS game appearance.) Times are bad.
As a fan, I’m not real comfortable with the well-we-won-it-all-last-year-who-gives-a-shit tactic. I want the losing, especially the ugly losing, to stop. So do the players, of course. I guess the question is how soon we’ll see some revival. June could be as tough as May. Nothing to do but gut it out.
Just so we are clear, I am not a doomster, nor am I searching for the nearest ledge at my 5 story condo building . . .
However, these are the facts Jack – San Francisco has only two quality starts in the last 15 games and none on the road this month. As Xoot alluded to above, the Gmen will play 14 of 18 away from AT&T Park. Lincecum use to own the A’s and he is now 5-3 against them in 10 career starts.
”This is a tough stretch,” Bochy said. ”We’ve got to get our act together.”
It would be EPIC if we start winning during this stretch of games . . . That would be friction’ so neat to do so now, but unlikely in lieu of the way we have been playing as of late.
I’ve been busy as hell, and out of the loop for a few days, but did read the intro to yesterday’s thread. Loved the line:
“…but with a few others pitching *like* a 5th starter we’ve got a bullpen that’s getting ridden harder than most ho’s in the Castro on a busy Friday night.” That was priceless (and unfortunately…SO true).
The thing that is startling of late to me is that the Giants seem to be in melt-down mode in almost every facet of the game. Errors – check. Starters sucking ass – check. Bullpen overtaxed, and in most cases unable to get the critical out(s) to bail out the starter – check. Big bats slumping – check.
I’m like Steve….not even thinking about searching out a ledge right now, but this shit is getting anoying (well, it’s past anoying…I’m fucking frosted about the way this team seems to have forgot how to play the game).
I will say this, and I (and others) have brought this up over the past month or so…Sabean will be (probably already is) looking for arms (I think at least one starter) before the trade deadline. You can’t count on Vogey coming back strong, and I don’t see them picking up his option. Tim? Snowball’s chance in hell they sign him. Zito – big question mark…depending on what Sabes is able to drum-up, they may just throw 19 mil at him to have him come back for next year.
The Giants have flat sucked on the road this year. June is one ugly schedule that is predominantly on the road and against some good teams. Perhaps they suprise the hell out of all of us and go on a winning tear.
Desperate times call for desperate measures…
It may be time to bring back the BBOTD…
Anna…paging Anna…we need a stopper darling…please pick up the red hot line phone and call Big Flavor, immediately…
Well Boch gave Kickham a shot that didn’t pan out.It’s time he plays his “Chad Card.”
Sabes needs to be burning the phone lines for a pitcher to plug in now!
Can’t deny it, I’m opening the window to the ledge. Strange year. Huge comebacks but not much traction. Can’t keep playing from behind, though. Can we start every game in the second inning? Can a whole fecking season be Garkoed? Gaudinize us, Chad!
My sister is an As’ fan. I have lost money AND face during this 2 and 2 interleague mess.
Not thrilled at all that somewhere BF’s buddy the Boney One is crowing at all Flappers that the A’s go for the freakin season series sweep today!!!
I cannot recall the specifics of the bet, but I believe he still owes a number of us $100.
On a separate note…and one that can offer a diversion from the mess of the current Giants, I just recently started reading “Sadaharu Oh!: A Zen Way of Baseball.” While I have read only the Foreward and the first couple of chapters, I am already in love with this book, and look forward to getting back into it each evening. I highly encourage all who love to read, and especially about baseball, to pick-up a copy of this book.
Sounds interesting, Chi. I’m going to be doing a lot flying this summer, will need a good read. Had a copy of an article from Harper’s, year’s ago, The Tao of Baseball. Need to find that…
As for the current state of the team, yeah, it is kind of annoying, but I decided I wasn’t going to allow it to continue being annoying. Instead, I’d actually be ok with a melt-down June, and then watch the team put it together later in the season and surge to another championship. Of course, one could tolerate such a melt-down only if one truly knew the ending would be positive. Sabean may be doing something, and I actually hope he is, but it’s probably not quite at the “keep walking past the open window” stage that we fans sometimes subject ourselves to… Really, just want to see some good baseball, at the least, win or lose.
I read the Sadaharu Oh book by David Falkner in the Eighties. Among the best baseball books I’ve read. Superb.
I found that the article you mention is available, Paul. Looks like you have to be a current Harper’s subscriber to access it (unfortunately, I am not). If you do land a copy I would love to read it (availabe in PDF or microfiche. WTF! MICROFICHE…unreal).
I like your perspective, and as mentioned…I am nowhere close to searching out ledges, and I too only want to see some “good baseball.” If they play to their potential, and lose, so be it.
Kickham didn’t “not work out”, he had a tough debut..,
Here’s a couple moves that should be made:
Pill down. Perez up. Abreu up, Noonan down. .
When the “over taxed” pen is discussed, it’s misleading. The mop up guys are a little bit overworked, as a group the pen is not.
We discussed deals for Zits and Tim yesterday. An unlikely but possible outcome: nobody wants them…
I think Abreu was placed on the 60-man DL to make room on the roster for Ramirez.
I see that now, but he played last night. Weird.
Must have been a day game. i see he had 4 AB then Tanaka came in. Probably to inform hin that he was hurt.
“When the “over taxed” pen is discussed, it’s misleading. The mop up guys are a little bit overworked, as a group the pen is not.”
Sorry, but with all due respect – I agree with Chi and others who have chimed in on the bullpen being “over taxed.” In fact, the Giants skipper said essentially the same thing numerous times after the game. To wit . . .
“We need some quality starts. We need guys getting us a little deeper in the game.”
“You’re using your pen a lot. Guys are logging a lot of pitches. This is not our game. It’s gotten away from us for a while. We’ve got to find a way to get back on track. Not just tonight, but overall. These games have been longer. It takes a toll on the players, especially with the catcher. I’m going to check out Buster once I’m done here.”
Well, the numbers don’t back up that the the pen as a group is overtaxed.
Gaudin and Kontos have had heavy loads. No one else is on pace for anything more than a normal workload for their role.
Certainly not Romo. 🙂
Sounds like the makings of a disaster flick. If only Irwin Allen was still around.
The only thing keeping me sane this week is watching the Yanks do a similar face-plant vs. the lowly Mets. And BTW, where the hell did all those A’s fans come from last night? The A’s don’t get that many to show up for their own games at the Mausoleum.
There’s your answer Mac. The Mausoleum was barely tolerable before Mt Davis was erected. Now, it’s a terrible setting for baseball. Worse than the hefty bag dome the Twins used to play in.
1. Gregor Blanco (L) CF
2. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
3. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
4. Buster Posey (R) C
5. Hunter Pence (R) RF
6. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
7. Andres Torres (S) LF
8. Nick Noonan (L) 2B
9. Barry Zito (L) P
Zito the Stopper!
I think starting Gaudin is a bad choice. The guy is needed in the Pen. Yeah, they have off days after, but having him available to pitch and inning or two in 2 out of 3 games to me is more critical than getting him a start and then he’s done for 3 games. They don’t have a lot of choices, true. The fact that they have nobody they can count on in AAA to come up for a few starts is flat ridiculous for a MLB organization. NOBODY? If this starting pitcher meltdown keeps up, they’re going to go out and get somebody sooner than later, and that’s bad, because they’ll have to cannibalize a good position prospect at least, to get whoever that pitcher is. And, there’s not that many of those down below…
I’d be interested in the thinking behind how starting Gaudin is a help for the “over taxed’ pen. Kickham should have stayed.
I think they were worried about Kickham against the Cardinals in STL.
I’m worried about ANY of our starters in StL And, yes, starting Gaudin doesn’t seem to be a help to a tired Pen…
Looks like they put Noonan in for defense. Scuts is hitting like crazy, but he’s either lost his legs, or this back thing is bothering him on the down low — his defense is just poor, and there must be a reason. 37 years may be one reason. That 3 year deal is looking long for sure in year 3. At least Buster is in there again. I kept hearing this morning that it was such a long game and he took a lot of pitches in the dirt, that he’d get the day off in a day game after a night game. WTF? This guy is 25. Either he’s a catcher, or he’s a wuss, or his ankle is still a problem (which we’re told it is not). Be a catcher, an MVP and play. Hell, Bengielena was as in shape as a Sumo wrestler, and he caught game after game after game…
They were reluctant to take Gaud out of the pen, but his versatility was the key reason they signed him.
I started reading the splash back in 2007? When did this blogg start? seems like it has been here forever(good job BF) anyway, prior to 2010 everyone and their mother were making suggestions on how to improve the Giants. Comments on the Splash were flying off the hook. you had people who knew nothing about baseball, much less the Giants. this year everyone here seems a little bit more relaxed with their suggestions and we all seem to be a little bit more open to others suggestions. Not that everyone agrees all the time. like they say winning cures everything. we are in to June, still no reason to panic Sabes has proven over the years he can pull a rabbit out the hat. I think the Giants will be fine. Chi is dead on, I cant remember the last time I saw everything fail, defense, offense, pitching. They are playing just plain old butt ugly baseball. But it is better for the Giants to get this out of there system now rather than in August or September. So…let game 54 be the start of a win streak. GO GIANTS
I seem to recall Gaudin being picked up to fill Mota’s role, long relief and spot starts. And that’s what they’re doing. If Bochy, Rags and Sabes feel we need an extra arm in the Pen now, to not blow us out later, I’m for it. These guys have proved to me that they know what they’re doing and dealing with, when it comes to the pitchers. So Kickham has to wait for his second cup of coffee, he would’ve been sent down when Vogs came back anyway. I don’t see how this means much when thinking of the season as a whole.
That’s my two bits anyway.
I agree whole-heartedly, John.
I know why they got Gaudin and he’s doing a far better job than even the most optimistic observer could have hoped for. That begs the question as to why starting him helps the pen. If he’s starting, they have no one who the background to go more than 2. But whatever, I’ve posted my opinion and I think it’s valid. I agree with Snarkk on this..
The problem is, they are sucking at a time when they hit the hard part of their schedule. Most of June is on the road. As you’ve all said, there’s no need to gaze over the ledge
and panic, and thankfully no one else is running away in the West, but this next month will be very interesting. Pablo will surely come around. Buster as well. But the pitching (starters and relievers) need to tighten things up. The D’s issues are curious. The positioning as well. When the big boys came up yesterday, Blanco was still very shallow. A couple got over his head. Torres? Yikes. He HAS to stop that ball.
After yet another fan interference incident at AT&T, here’s someone who gets it, from last night in Philly:
http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=27562315
Dollars to donuts, the ball girl said, “Hey dumb fuck, don’t touch that frickin’ live ball.”
. . . or, words to those effect. 🙂
Twin I’m not sure what you aren’t understanding about the over taxed pen. The starters aren’t doing their job + Casilla is down + Gaudin is getting overused and now is starting a game = a majorly over taxed bullpen. It’s overworked in the most critical part–the guys that can go more than one inning–and they are the most critical part because our starters aren’t pulling their weight. Now you’re correct, the specialty guys aren’t overworked but changing their role is going to have a negative effect as well.
Bochy is saying it’s over worked, everyone can see that its overworked, the only person that’s saying it’s not overworked is, well, you.
And I have now idea why you don’t see this.
I think it’s clear that i see it-two guys are getting a heavy load ( as I said), no one else is. When that changes, I’ll note it. Thanks.
Well, yesterday you didn’t think anyone was overworked. Tomorrow, will it be 4 that are over worked?
Yesterday I noted the IP by the pen as a group and said that Gaudin had pitched more than in recent years. i didn’t mention Kontos.Bad bad me.
Why the fuck is Blanco leading off?
Should be Vungo and he should be in CF!!!
Zito needs to go at least 5.
No physical or mental errors.
Execute on offense.
That’s my wish list, which = just play the game right, essentially…
You know it is going bad for your starters when you are saying they need to go “at least 5.”
Gaudin.
Sounds like he should be painting broad brushed S Pacific scenes with Polynesian girls and bright flowers, or making sourdough bread…
Or putting the finishing touches to the cathedral.
That was a break, Gregor had no chance of throwing Crisp out. We’ll see if it matters.
Wow. Huge. Now they need to jump on Griffin.
Whew. Dodged a bullet.
Let’s get some runs now, Giants.
Even their pitchers know how to take a walk.
Torres strikes again.
Arghh…. Reaching for the tums
Defensive lapses continue. Torres should have handled that cleanly.
WTF is going on with Vungo? He can’t field if he’s hitting?
Mets fans were all too familiar with this version of Torres in the field last year.
Well, they were used to worse from 2011.
Ha!
Was he falling down a lot? He was only charged with 2 errors in 124 games.
How can you walk a pitcher who’s had only one previous MLB at bat?
The Torres defensive gaffes are getting difficult to ignore. He better keep hitting, a lot…
Hey, I’m happy Zito kept him in the yard.
I am cracking up on the K & K repartee about the ball dude. Shit, this is a big reason why I love baseball, especially SF Giants baseball.
If the Giants don’t make the playoffs, or even if they crater this year, I’m not going to be too PO’d. Seriously, 2 WS wins out of 3 years, you can get greedy and want more, but the odds say you’re an idiot to be way disappointed if they don’t get to the playoffs this year, let alone the WS. Stuff happens, like injuries, and starters going bad after being ridden hard for the last several years. I’m going to try to enjoy the ebb and flow of this season, and if it ebbs more than flows, well, gear up in the offseason — it’s not like this franchise has no money to spend. I’m not throwing in the towel, too early for that; I’m just being realistic here…
I’ll be PO’d: I owe my sister some payback after this series
Zeetoe’s raising his pitch count nicely so far. 2 walks to start the 3rd?
grumble grumble grumble grumble . . .
This Zito start reminds me of the night game Blade and I saw together with Zits on the mound. He walked half the world to start out — the first three innings took so long I could have left in the bottom of the second, walked to Chinatown and got back with some Chow Fun and Pork Chow Mein before the end of the third…
Umm . . . All true. 🙂
His mumbling has improved significantly over the years.
Ed, I sent you a response (keep it under your hat).
Thanks for letting us know…I have my spooks working overtime, now… 😉
Shit, you found us out . . . However, I don’t want you believing those rumors about him and Al Qaeda, ok?
Me? I’m a CIA operative Chi, i.e., on your side. 🙂
I _was_an operative once . . . .
once
Snarkk, I agree with a lot of what you’re saying, but the frustration with the Giants having no starters ready at AAA is a little unfair. It’s impossible to have EVERYTHING. The Giants were busy winning 2 World Series in 3 years, and Wheeler was traded in an attempt to make it 3 in 3 years, and it just didn’t work out. I supported that trade at the time, and I won’t criticize it now.
Oops, I wrote that before reading your 1:33 post. (grin) Sorry.
Now, don’t you feel foolish? JUST KIDDING!!!!! 🙂
Yeah, like that Gilda Radner character. “Nevermind!”
Damn Zum, you’re ageing us, but yeah, she was the best (along with her husband, Gene Wilder).
Just a difference of opinion. I’m not saying they should have a Wheeler going at every level of the minors. But, the guys in AAA are supposedly at least of the AAAA type that should be able to fill in for a temporary injury — like Voggy. That’s exactly what the AAA pitchers are supposed to be for, at least ONE of them, I should think. To me, if you’re a pitcher in AAA and on the 40 man, that means you should be able to at least fill in adequately for injury duty at the big club temporarily…
Come on Panda!
Tired of this shit, your throwing like a pansies!!!
The A’s pitcher has a no-hitter going? A no-hitter?
Really, a NO HITTER? I hope no one JINXES him by saying NO HItTER.
As others have said, at least no one else has run away with the division.
Texas 9, Arizona 5 today.
When you watch Zito pitch on the computer, the “refresh rate” (or whatever the PC equivalent is for televisions) is fairly poor. However, it looks like Zito is pitching 100 MPH. Every pitch. 🙂
Thanks for the book recommendations, folks. I always dig reading those. I’m supposed to be getting one of the books TF recommended in the mail any day now. “Of Mikes And Men,” a book about broadcasters. There’s just so many dang cool books out there. There’s a new one about Mays and Mantle in the ’51 season that looks real good. And I want to get that new biography of Hank Greenberg. I’ve been steadily reading a large biography of Connie Mack, by Norman Macht. It’s really good, but it’s only volume one!! There’s a volume two out there, too. Macht is kind of like Robert Caro writing about LBJ or something.
It’s a real treat reading about the earlier days of baseball, when it’s well researched and well written. It’s interesting to see the similarities and differences to now.
In fairness to Zito, it’s not a good umpire for him. The guy won’t give him that big curveball on the corner for a strike. Some umps just won’t give that pitch to Zito.
Not to totally excuse Zito, though. He has to adjust to the ump.
Hey, Zito got 6 in with only one given up. That’s fine, in fact in light of recent starts, that’s a bonanza…
Crazy outing, but it should be good enough for a W.
One walk to the pitcher notwithstanding, a damn good effort from Zeets.
It’s a lead!
Wonderful outing by Mr. Zito.
OK, Zito went 6, stands now as the winning pitcher if Giants keep ahead and pull it out.
Is this the kind of performance, in between road game shellings, for which you would pay $18 million next year? (disregard that he’s getting $20M THIS year)…
If you could guarantee this type of performance Tom, I all in for 18 gazillion smackeroos.
once his pitch count hit 110+ his pitches were deadly. loved that called third strike curve.
MY MAN BELT!
I am having a good night
Opposite-field Belt!
Belt — with the clutch double and 2 RBIs. Nice.
Just let this kid play and see what happens this year with him. Let him hit more lefties; in the minors I think he hit lefties better than righties, and early on with SF, I think he hit lefties pretty well…
To paraphrase the late Gerald Ford: “The Giants’ long nightmare is over, I hope.”
I love two out hits. Two out hits that score runs, full on Valentine’s card love.
Glad to see Ramirez back. Bring us some 2010 untortured MAGIC, Ramon.
I take back that comment. I can’t take this.
Of all the unknowns with the pitching staff (Vogey having an awful year and being hurt, and the team having an option on him for next year, Tim being a FA, and the team having an option on Zito)…I will be very surprised if Zito is NOT brought back next year.
Kontos gave up a big 2-run double to Cespedes on Monday. In Bochy I Trust . . .
Come on, the Pen has to shut this down…
That’s it, good job Pen…
I love this shit when it’s happening to another team. “You got it?” “Uhh??” “OK, Take it.”
And suddenly with little warning the boat righted itself and floated gently over the wave.
The giants are playing like . . . the Giants!
Eddd, pray tell I hope you don’t suffer from verbal ejaculatio praecox.
Projected RBI totals:
Panda 111
Posey 93
Pence 87
Belt 78
Crawford 75
Pagan 72
And it looks like we’ll need every one.
What’s your O/U on those, Steve?
Hi Twin . . . Just got back and have to go out again. However, your totals look, good (except for Pagan and Crawford, whom I think will both be a bit under).
Jeremy Affeldt’s role here today and what he has done thus far cannot be overstated. I might even go straight now.
As the Mets announcers have been saying all week, “Put it in the books!”
A win feels good. So good! GIANTS WIN A DAY GAME.