Wild Card Bonanza!
Well, that’s out of the way. Time to move on to the wild card.
The Giants have more pressing issues to sort out–like who is going get hits, drive in runs, etc. Because it damn sure hasn’t been Hunter Pence or Pablo Sandoval. And we can whine all we want about the pitching but without Pagan and Morse (and, essentially, Pence and Pablo) we can’t lay all the offensive expectations at the doorstep of Chris Dominguez.
So who’s going to step and drive in runs for this team?
You can’t win a baseball game with hope and magic.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Isn’t that how we won 2 World Series?
That’s what I thought Loo. Hope and Magic baby! Because right now, that is what it will have to be!
I have reached the “fuck it” point. I truly think this team has the pieces to make a run, but as Craig alludes, the middle of the order is going to have to step it up a whole lot.
One day, one game at a time. Let’s see what happens.
I have said this before, a few times. If we end up drawing the Bucs, in their yard, well…I just don’t have a good feeling about that. Someway, some how, our boys need that one play-in game to be at our yard.
They owe the Friars one. Can they pull their heads out of their asses and beat one of the teams that they should have beat this year…
Staring today, the Giants can actually go 12-12 and win the World Series.
“Starting”
Good call Loo.
I think Posey has very noticeably improved his defense at first base of late and his offensive improvement when he plays there is well documented.. Huge off-season decisions for Sabean to make as far as the catcher, first base, third base and left field situation.
At least there is finally someone to man 2b.
Agree, Loo. And to that list I would add pitching (predominantly starters). Do they sign Peavy (I hope so). They will need to add an arm or two. Romo is probably gone. But yes…it will be an interesting off-season and that should translate into some good discussions around the hot stove…
Not to mention whether Sabes can afford both JaPea and Vogelscheiße.
Well, most are not aware that Charles Johnson (Giant’s principal owner) is the richest man in baseball. So, if they want to, they can sign any damned player they want. Spending foolishly as some teams (like Smell-A) is not their MO, and that can be frustrating as a fan. But believe me…they have the coin.
So, it’s penny-pinching ownership, then…
I think Marlon Byrd is still available….. 🙂 Yeah, “backing in” to the post-season is never a good idea, but then, not making the post-season is even worse. So, let’s just hope this is a mini-slump and they put it together again. Afterall, they haven’t lost an *elimination game* in quite some time……
Yeah you right, Paul.
* I’ve loved thee. I’ve braved the slings and arrows of outrageuos misfortune. And how am I repaid, dear Gregorio? You do it again. And yet again! The felines of the wild snicker at me , they taunt: “How’s your lover boy now, sucker?”…
*Only one man can we count on now. We call on him yet again- we need to get Dirrrrrty…
*First “Goobs” Kershaw, tonight we get Cashner.. Lined up are Matthewson, Young, and Smokey Joe.
*From the BP Hit List:
* “Perhaps it’s time to hose down and shave this ‘Brian Wilson’ person and see who he really is.”
* More: “Frank Wren could invent a cancer vaccine in 20 years and the headline will read “Disease Eradicated By The Guy Who Signed Dan Uggla To A Long-Term Contract.”
*Might as well start getting used to it now. In a special ceremony after tonight’s game New York City will be officially be renamed “Jeterville”
*Phil Hughes: 181 Strike Outs 16 BB. Blog commenters around the world cry out as one “Work the count, morons”
*What am I going to BBQ this weekend ? Oops, the cats are the porch. Now what was I saying? Oh, yeah- what to BBQ? Hmmm..I hear they taste like rabbit. I love rabbit.But no way I’m skinning them. I think I’ll just do some steaks..
*OK, it’s 2021. Our Magic Number is 1 to clinch the 16th Wild Card spot.
I th re-ploff ith he eers, wo wll ethe om am?
Aww, Wayne, you’re so cute. You’ve phailed miserably as a lame travelogue writer, you’re so sad you can’t even troll the Splash anynore, and even your fellow Dodger fans think you’re a dumb ass waste of space. Now all you have left is to sit in your Temescal SRO and dream of the day when you can be barry4ever again. Sad little guy.
You’re hanging by Flavor’s dental floss…
Crawfords perfect response when the 10 game lead on June 8 was brought up.
“That lead was so long ago,” shortstop Brandon Crawford said. “I doubt most of us were thinking about it. It sucks, but it’s over with.”
If BC hadn’t been unaccountably benched last night, he might still have more RBI than Puig.
I think I mentioned it yesterday that my fear is they may have peaked too soon and the Pirates are peaking at just the right time. Maybe someone can pull up the 2010 and 2012 records for the last 15 or so games….They were on a tear there for a while where you had the Killer P’s hitting (Pence, Posey, Pablo and Pagan) as well as the rooks (Panik and Sussac) all at the same time. I do feel ten times better about our pitching going into the PS then I did say, 3 months ago. It’s the offense as usual that I am afraid will let us down.
WJ..ya think May was too soon?
I was referring more to their hot stretch in August and September up thru 9/13. Since then they are 3-8. The Pirates on the other hand are 8-3 over the same stretch.
I must say, I wouldn’t mind seeing a Pirates-Royals World Series. There aren’t two fan bases that deserve it more (Cubs notwithstanding). I am not sure Fox would agree, though.
I woulr rather see Baltimore
No city needs a lift like Detroit. The ’68 Tigers kept rioters off the streets…
So who will be playing in the 2014 World Series? Will it be the Nationals or will it be the Gigantes?
It shure as phuck won’t be the losanges. Cause THEY SUCK.
Well, as these guys have shown, they can get hot just as fast as they get cold. One last push.
13-13 and they win it all. Hah!
New Team Motto:
Play .500 ball, and we win it all!
Much as I hate to admit it, LA guys I thought would implode didn’t. They are 2nd in league in runs scored, tops in OB second in slugging. Kemp, while as Blade points out no longer 5 tool guy, hit 24 bombs with .498 slugging. Hanley and AGon over .800 OPS, Puig way higher, Crawford and Uribe near .300 hitters. Great platoon bench help from Turner and Van slyke.
MInus Ryu their rotation is thin and other teams might be better built for playoff.
I agree with Loo, Posey is much improved with the glove at 1b, esp knocking down hard hit grounders. Hmmnn.
Caught a little of the tool plus Radnich today, tool recommending best LU right now having Belt in LF with Susac C Posey 1b. Just don’t see that happening…yet.
Remember Giants have to finish ahead of Pirates if they are WC to avoid road game; not the case if Pirates take division and Cards are WC opponent. Pirates end season 3 on road at Cincy after Braves game today. Cards at DBax…would be great if they helped SF out with a sweep but SF would have to sweep Pads to tie.
The only guy who really surprised me is A-Gon. I didn’t think he’d put up near that many ribbies.
Well, I didn’t see much coming from (their) Crawfish and Ooo-ree-bay either . . .
I can’t see them tying Stl. And in order to edge Pit, they will have to pick up 2 games. Tall order.
I wonder if they should even try, if it means using up Peavy and Bum in the last two games.
I suppose it will come down to if we clinch before then.
Pretty fair question. If Pirates win 2 more, SF would have to sweep to pass them. Giants magic # just to get in is only 1, right?
Seattle faces similar quandary–if they need a W to get in Sunday, it’s King Felix turn
Yup. One win (or Milwaukee loss) and we’re in.
I don’t see why they DON’T use that lineup. Morse was a statue out there, and Dominguez hasn’t hit shit so far. Belt should be able to do as much as those guys out there. Posey has made some real nice plays recently, and he seems to be settling in nicely at 1st base.
(one thing about Susac was: Puig was swinging wildly at sliders away. He NEVER should have seen a fastball . . .)
I think we need as many (decent) bats as possible, and hope the vets get warm at least.
Somebody here always predicts 88 Ws in pre-season…taking 3 of 4 from Pads gets SF there.
Giants are currently +45 run differential, A’s +145 yet only have 1 more W, trailing projected Pythagoras numbers by 10 (theoretically A’s should be 96-72). ?
that me. It’s my go-to win total prediction
I thought that was Mikes . . .
Willie, that’s 168 games, but who’s counting?
Aaaand, fuck the numbers . . .
yeah should be 62 Ls. Still kinda weird, you don’t often see that big discrepancy.
Cookie Rojas…I remember at that time Phil’s guys making play on words re: Henry Mancini hit , “The plays of Wine and Rojas”.
I felt bad for Susac in the 8th, when no matter what signs he put down Cordier and Gut had no idea where the f-ing ball was going. Hopefully last we’ve seen of those two. Sure Arias booted one but you’ve still gotta make pitches to get guys out and the only guy that did was kid Heston.
Right, Willie. I also remember a sportswriter noting that the Phils had Wine and Boozer while the Senators had Casanova and Valentine. Both observations went over my little head at the time.
Well, Arias boots that in a tie game late, there would be hell to pay. That was a routine play that ended up costing a lot. Although it probably did stop a beanball fest in the 9th.
All I’m saying is it isn’t Arias fault the other 2 couldn’t find the strike zone with a GPS after his error.
The World Series years are long gone for good. Giants aren’t winning anything with this team. Too damn bad. Wild Card if obtained will be a quick exit for the locals. Too little offense by key players.
WOOF! BLEEP!
gotta love your optimism nip
Brewers lose. Giants clinch final WC spot.
YES!!!!!!!!!
We be in….
We got a playoff game next Wednesday. And hopefully more after that….
With very little chance the Giants will finish with a better record than the Pirates maybe the thing to do would be to rest the most tired vets during the Padres series. Let Heston start on Saturday or Sunday. My go to between Bumgarner and Peavy would depend on which of them is the better road warrior and has had more success vs Pittsburgh.
Last night’s game actually hinged on one pitch. Intuition had kicked in before it happened. Bases loaded and one out and Opie induces Buster into that GDP. Plinking an oppo single may have brought in two runs and then who knows, maybe the middle of the order could have brought in a couple more. Shut down the feed when the Giants could do nothing vs Kershaw in the top of the sixth. Intuition again. Figured Bochy should have shut down Peavy going into the bottom of the inning. By that time he was a bit gassed and the heart of the LaBumbos order had seen enough of his offerings to camp on them.
How does Lincecum not get a start vs.SD? He could still be a big key to postseason success if they survive the WC game.
Not the most inspiring sprint to the finish but in is in.
#Yankees Derek Jeter
625 PA & 4 HR
#MNTwins Joe Mauer
500 PA & 4 HR
#SFGiants Madison Bumgarner
78 PA & 4 HR
I’m sure when Bummie retires, there will be a tractor pull commemorating it somewhere.
Guess we got to pull for the snakes. Would love to have StL come here.
So, did our boys have a champagne and beer celebration prior to tonight’s game when they heard they were in? lqtm…
Would it be correct to assume that Bum is done for the regular season no matter what happens this weekend?
And maybe Peavy as well?
No way should Peavy pitch..
Maybe give Lincecum Sunday’s start
After the regular season is over…all I ask for is just 12 MORE WINS…
Failing that Chi, I’ll go with the old standby = Bumfucks massive face plant.
Yeah, I agree, Steve. And the faceplant I want to see the bumfucks have would be in the NLCS, against us, Giants clinch at the Latrine. That would be poetic justice at its finest.
Have a feeling things will be settled by Fri night and they rest P&B.
Peavy goes in the WC game, Bum is game 1 starter if they win. At least they won’t have far to travel.
Jeter got a hit in his first AB in his final game at Yankee Stadium.
It’s one small hit for a man; one giant hit for mankind.
On behalf on the human species, I’d like to thank Jeter for being willing to exist in our presence.
I just woke up and saw that we are in. No idea about details. I’ll read the Phnom Penh Times to get that info later. 😂
The Brewers lost today; we backed in, but we’ll take it. 🙂
Thanks Zum! Flap news 24/7 – concise and without the fluff of ESPN.
I’m sure Ho Chi Baggerly will give you the full scoop…
Without player input. They’re still boycotting him for the ping pong expose he did.
Along the lines of what Lloyd Bentsen said about Dan Quayle . . . “I knew Johnny Lemaster Mr. Jeter . . . and you sir, are no Johnny Lemaster.”
“Boo”…
Giants are in after going 3-8. Hey, time to rest some bad bats for a day or 2. See how the Bucs do, and go from there. Looks tough for SF to get a home WC game…
1. Gregor Blanco (L) CF
2. Joe Panik (L) 2B
3. Buster Posey (R) C
4. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
5. Hunter Pence (R) RF
6. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
7. Travis Ishikawa (L) LF
8. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
9. Yusmeiro Petit (5-5, 3.63 ERA)
there’s literally no LU you could have posted where I was like, “yeah baby, love that line up…”
You guys would know better then me, but why is Posey playing? Especially, at catcher? Same deal with Pablo – bench him and get his head straight. Pence, I understand him playing because he never wants to be taken out and I respect that (albeit, he is flailing too). Line up seems to be a head scratcher, but as I said, you guys can cite reasons better then I (as you are there).
There’s still the hope of getting the homefield for the Wild Card game, though it’s unlikely the Giants can make up 2 games in a 4 game span, given that the Pirates are winning their game tonight, so far, 6-0.
well, they are still trying to secure home field ad for the wc game.
Ahh. OK, that makes sense – Thank you Zum and Flavor.
Laskey and Vida, doing their best to spread misinformation.
Laskey: “The Giants were a Wild Card team in 2010, too, and won the World Series.”
Wrong. The Giants won the division. Plus, if they had been a Wild Card team that year, they would have been automatically in the division series, as the second Wild Card wasn’t added until 2011.
Vida: “All that matters is the Giants are in the playoffs. Winning the division doesn’t matter.”
Say what? Yeah, it does sort of matter, Vida, since 2011.
Orioles scored 3 in the 9th to tie it, so of course Jeter will hit third in the bottom of the inning…
I completely agree with those here who continually say how important Pagan is at the top of the line-up. Team just doesn’t seem to be the same without him. But this year, I’d say what sucks most is Morse’s injuries (and I’m guessing his massive *slump* in June/July into August, after that amazing start, was probably injury related) rendering him unable to perform as he was before and finally unavailable to play at all. The line-up was just so much stronger, top to bottom, with him and his power in the middle of it, when he was healthy. Healthy Morse = more than just a wildcard.
Totally agree, Paul. The other thing that would have led to more than a WC was if they would have beat the teams they should have beat (mostly the Sherpas), but also the Dbacks and Friars.
Jeter wins it in 9th with a single…
I don’t give 2 shits about that guy but that is kinda rad.
It was good TV…
no chance Jeets plays in Boston, right? End his career with a walk off and be done with it?
That would be the right thing to do, as Olberman also said in his *piece*…
Well, that was a cool play. A little infield pinball.
And whatever happened to pinball? It seems to come and go. I was never any good at it, so I don’t follow it’s cultural highs and lows. Elton John was good as the Pinball Wizard in the film version of Tommy. Very cool song.
I played a lot in my teens and pre-teens, and also quite a bit in my early daze active duty in the Air Force, and was pretty good at it. Love me some pinball. If there is every a birthday party for one of the kids (and I am obligated to be there), and it is held in one of those arcade joints, you’ll find me with a cold beer at a pinball machine.
Belted!!! If BB9 has his timing back all the way it could improve post-season offense by a good 20%. Remember, before getting nailed by that LaBumbos pitcher Belt was leading the league in long-balls.
No shit? I didn’t know that Stick. The NL?
Yep. He was also the Giants best offensive player in 2013, putting up an OPS that Joe “He can Hit” Panik will never get close to. Book it.
Well, Panik was never, nor will he be in the future, expected to be that middle of the order big bat. But he will be a damned serviceable 2nd baseman, and a scrappy guy who will get his hits. I love how he hits to all fields.
rough road this year for Belt– that had to have felt good.
I wonder if the Belts ever double-date with the Bumgarners…
I think Olive Garden is a might too fancy fancy for Bum.
Table for 6? :-p
that’s a high volume date…..
cbs site game tracker had a tweet from Finerty’s that said, “1 game playoffs suck, but in 2012 Giants had basically 5 of them and won them all.”
6, even, I think…. That was the point I was trying to make beginning of this thread. They seem to do well in those situations…..
And then there was word from Pence (shared by Amy G) that he (and other players on the team) are looking forward to a 1 game playoff (digging on the intensity of that game). Let’s GET IT ON!
Blanco’s dumber than a urinal mint…
Now what? Too busy watching Kurt Cousins throw picks.
Failure to advance to third on a groundout to secondbaseman.
It appeared to me that he confused first base and third base when he was standing on second facing the batter. Didn’t know which way to run in order to advance.
Maybe he had a really bad read of the ball initially, like he thought for a second it was a line-drive. Even so, he could have still out-run the play. The seconbaseman wasn’t going to throw to third on that play unless Blanco fell down in the basepaths.
Cashing in on Padres pitching is something this team has not done much of recently. Jeeze it would be nice to see this offense get revved up on this homestand.
Piits just may catch StL
Had not read all the posts, and made a similar comment about 15 minutes ago, Charlie. Would not surprise me at all. Pittsburgh is hot right now.
A win tonight would make that a much better champagne party for the Giants tonight.
Funny thing about Wertz–he went 4 for 5 with a triple and 2 rbis that day, and would have been perfect with a couple more rbis if anyone besides Mays was out there.
Giants won the game with HR from Dusty Rhodes that just cleared short (250 ft) RF corner fence at Polo Grounds.
Al Rosen of Indians said they hit a ball 450 ft. that was HR anywhere else and got beat by a 260 ft. HR that was an out anywhere else.
Jim Edmunds might have made that play:
That catch was fucking amazing and those uniforms were fucking hideous.
Another Giants World Series championship where the AL team was the one favored to win.
still one of the best pics of the year
Giants must have already had that yoga night promo right?
Dang, I could have got behind Amy G downward facing doggy style.
Be careful. It’s a little-known fact that there’s a lot of farting in yoga.
Wish someone would do me doggy style. Or just do me any old way.
Catching up here. So we got bombs by the Brandons, including a splasher, Posey and Pablo with RBI hits, Petit dealing and Ishi holding his own in LF. Now that’s the Giants I know as we near the playoffs.
Although Pence still looks lost.
Sandoval 3 ABs 3 rbis tonite. Batting 4th, he’s at .307 for season with 16 HRs. Duffy ain’t doing that, sorry.
What would you pay Sandoval?
75 for 5. Or better yet, 60 four 4 with a club option. Problem is, he will get his 100 mil, or something close, I just don’t want to see the Giants be the one to fork over that kind of coin for a five year deal.
I haven’t heard a peep about the Willie Mac Award. I wonder if Hunter’s blown it…
I’d give it to Panik.
He’s too young. I gotta think Bum
You’re right, definitely Bum.
Bob Montgomery’s hat was a much better look.
Christ. Has Affeldt or Lopez pitched worth a tinker’s damn lately?
They’ve haven’t pitched worth a squirt of piss
Always figured you for a golden shower boy.
Catching up on today’s posts, but I think the best bet for a home WC game is if the Bucs take the NL Central. That actually looks somewhat likely to me, based purely on how Pittsburgh is playing right now. They, more than any other team, may be peaking at just the right time. .
Home wildcard is a real long-shot (assuming the G’s hang on to win this one, 2 behind St. Looey and 1 behind the Bucs, with just 3 to play… although I guess because the Bucs own the tie-breaker, it’s really like 2 games behind both of them.. is that right?). Not really sure which odds are better to catch either. I’m thinking it comes down to where would you rather have to win that one game. Flappers already have weighed in: Don’t want to go to Pittsburgh. Agree. But if it’s Wainwright in St. Louis, that’s tough too. It would be interesting to see matchups for either scenario. The G’s braintrust will be working overtime figuring that out. Can’t argue with their recent success, so I’m trusting ’em….
What the . . .
Are you fucking kidding me!?
Assuming they win tonight just took a hit
Holy shit. We ain’t backing in to the playoffs, we’re falling off a cliff into the payoffs.
Blowing a 6-0 lead to the worst offense in baseball….not a good omen
Yes, they’ve been unanswered runs, Kuip, clearly the offense. as usual, is letting the team down.
What the hell…the bullpen all of sudden decides to implode.
Make that falling of a cliff into a crater.
Wtf machi…replace his fat ass with Strickland
He already pitched
I meant his role
better now than . . .
They are just setting us up for the absolutely most unlikely run to their 3rd world series win in five years…really. And now, about that ocean-front property I have for sale in New Mexico…
Machi: you fat mother fucking sack of shit.
Wow. I really was beginning to think I would never see a logical comment come from you.
For pete’s sake, what was that pitch supposed to be? It looked like a batting practice lob right down the middle. Rewind that if you can, and check that pitch out.
I rewound it and checked it out again. Yep…grooved right down the heart of the plate. Might as well have set it on a t for him…
Fuck…cruising 6 zip and then this shit. What the hell is it with this team not being able to beat some of the weakest damned teams in baseball (Sherpas and fucking Dago)…unreal.
.