‘Shoptawk’ with Daniel and Flavor

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on October 14, 2014

Here are the questions he asked me with my answers:

Daniel: What are your thoughts about the series so far? Are you content with the split?

Flavor: I am totally content with the split. We just needed one to have a realistic shot at taking the series. Now, playing at home is almost a negative for this reason: If our bats are silent, which is usual, the crowd gets quiet and there’s a lot more pressure on the hitters to perform. I’ve watched it happen for going on 2 years now. I would PREFER to play all of our games on the road.

Daniel: The Giants have seemed to score a lot of “fluky” runs this postseason. Is there a concern that the offense could be in trouble if they dry up or is the attitude they are doing well now, just imagine if the bats start going?

Flavor: The offense stinks (as I said before the series started). I don’t think anyone expect the bats to suddenly wake up. That’s why advancing will be such a longshot. It’s going to happen with outstanding pitching and fluky runs or it’s not happening.

Daniel: What should we as Cardinal fans expect out of Tim Hudson and Ryan Vogelsong?

Flavor: They should expect both to pitch very well. The pitching staff is locked in. Huddy’s waited his whole life for this oopportunity and Voggy never turns in a bad playoff performance.

_____________

And my questions for him:

Flavor: What are your thoughts about the series so far? Are you content with the split?

Daniel: I don’t know if content is the word, but it’s a far sight better than what it could have been. I feel like the Cardinals could have taken the first game with a more Wainwright-like performance, but most everyone expected that this series would go at least 6 games and taking a game against Madison Bumgarner can be a huge task anyway. So, all in all, the split is fine.

Flavor: Aside from his game winning HR, Wong seems to make a lot of mistakes. Do Cards fans like him or do they find him too inconsistent?

Daniel: I don’t seem to hear a lot of a groundswell against Wong, for a number of reasons. One, he’s just a rookie and we know there’s going to be a learning curve. Two, he’s not holding anyone back. If Wong didn’t play during the year, it was Mark Ellis and Daniel Descalso, neither of which got the fan base excited. They’d much rather have Wong out there than anyone else. Plus, with two big postseason home runs, he’s built himself up a little baseball capital.

Flavor: What do you think the final score will be for today’s game? I’ll say 2-1 Giants

Daniel: That’s a reasonable prediction and while I think the Cardinals will win, I can’t imagine the scoring being much different. Maybe 3-1 if someone gets crazy. There’s already been a backlash over Mike Matheny using Randal Grichuk instead of Peter Bourjos, given Bourjos’s superior defensive capabilities, so it’ll be interesting to see how that goes over. Plus the Cardinals don’t have Yadier Molina which will likely play a factor as well. If more than four runs are scored in total in this game, I’d be stunned.

Flavor: To an outsider, Yaddy seems to be comparable to Buster Posey in terms of his leadership and importance to the team. How devastating is it to not have him out there?

Daniel: It’s pretty rough, there’s no doubt about it. It’s good that Molina is still able to be with the team, to travel and be in the dugout to impart some wisdom and leadership. Not quite the same as having him behind the plate, though, especially when it comes to getting close calls. The Cards will miss him, definitely.

261 comments

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cardinal70 said, on October 14, 2014 at 10:49 am

If anyone has any more questions, I’ll try to check this thread throughout the afternoon. Best of luck!
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 10:49 am

Flavor: Daniel, do Cardinal fans hate neck tats? They’re lame aren’t they? 🙂
- Flavor said, on October 14, 2014 at 10:50 am
  
  Without asking him, I speak for both of us when I say they’re stupid. A person who gets a neck tat sees his IQ drop 15 pts as soon as the tat artist is complete.
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 10:51 am
    
    HAHA, I couldn’t resist Big Flav.
- cardinal70 said, on October 14, 2014 at 10:52 am
  
  Obviously, I can’t speak for all, but I’m not fond of any tattoo, much less the neck ones. I will say that, as much as folks love Yadi, the comments I’ve seen would have preferred he pick a different area for decoration. 🙂
- snarkk said, on October 14, 2014 at 11:14 am
  
  If either of the snarkettes ever come home dragging some dude sporting a neck tat, he’s not coming back a second time…
Flavor said, on October 14, 2014 at 10:49 am

Here’s a link to Daniel’s blog with today’s thread:
http://www.cardsconclave.com/2014/10/14/enemy-lines/
Flavor said, on October 14, 2014 at 10:59 am

Dirt– I’m trying to get your “penceonthefence” black and white to go viral. See my recent facebook post.
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 11:11 am

Two big pieces of news:

One – and most important in the world of the Orange and Black. Stretch is out of the hospital, and will be IN THE HOUSE TODAY! FUCK YEAH!

Two – The bums have a new GM, Andrew Friedman from the Rays. Colletti to stay on as “an advisor.” Translation – per my friend Mike, “Hold my clipboard and jock, Ned.” LMAO…Fuck the Dodgers.
- Bozo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:08 pm
  
  Yes. Yes. Yes. – http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/mccovey-feels-great-be-att-park-game-3
  - Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:58 pm
    
    I ain’t gonna lie…that brought tears to my eyes…thanks for the link, John. You’re not a bad dude for a Clown. 😉
Macdog said, on October 14, 2014 at 11:12 am

As usual, the only Dodgers news this time of year is off the field:

The Dodgers have hired Rays GM Andrew Friedman as President, Baseball Operations. Ned Colletti will stay as Senior Advisor to Stan Kasten.
- snarkk said, on October 14, 2014 at 11:24 am
  
  Probably keeping Ned in the fold for a year in an office around the corner so he’s outta the way, but doesn’t go back to the Giants…
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 11:15 am

Mac got the titles right…new gm is Kasten. Ask me if I give a rat’s ass…fuck those fucking fucks from lala land…
- Macdog said, on October 14, 2014 at 11:21 am
  
  Chi, from what I can tell, Friedman is the new GM. Or he’s going to hire a new GM. Not sure what Kasten does. Whatever. Like you said, Eff LA.
  - Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 11:46 am
    
    Mac – yeah, I have it all fucked-up (but not as fucked-up as the bums themselves). Kasten in the President and CEO of the club. Friedman is the new President of Baseball Operations, and my understanding is that he will hire the new GM (THAT GUY will be the one for which Ned holds the clipboard and jock). 😉 Gotta love the high drama that plays out regularly at Chavez Latrine.
  - snarkk said, on October 14, 2014 at 12:21 pm
    
    There’s been some upheaval in the LA front office. Lots of guys have jumped elsewhere…
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 11:48 am

Daniel and Flavor – thanks for another superb Q&A session (not to be confused with a T&A session). Good questions and answers/insight. I see a tight low-scoring affair with the Giants prevailing today.
- cardinal70 said, on October 14, 2014 at 12:10 pm
  
  I don’t know about Craig, but you can thank your lucky stars I didn’t get those two confused!
  - Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 12:45 pm
    
    Ha. But on a serious note, thanks for doing this whole question/answer thing with Craig (and on the first Q&A, with some of the regulars, here). I think it is very cool that we can have this dialogue as our teams do battle. Good luck, Daniel.
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 12:02 pm

The second question about scoring is one that comes up often. It is a hard one to explain to those that don’t follow the club. I guess when you regularly struggle to score, it doesn’t seem so difficult in the post season. It’s just the usual struggle with a bigger audience. I don’t know.
- cardinal70 said, on October 14, 2014 at 12:12 pm
  
  I guess I was just thinking about the number of unorthodox runs, such as two wild pitches bringing in runs, etc. The idea is either things are going to get back when the “flukes” dry up or the bats will eventually catch up and it won’t be a big deal. Scoring is going to be such a premium in this series, though, that’d I’d take any number of fluky runs and worry about things evening out later.
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 12:26 pm
    
    I took your jist. A walk, infield single, ball off the pitchers foot, pass ball, score. We call it the ground attack.
    
    Listening to the announcers it sounds like Stl has struggled to score too. Agree with you. Runs are at a premium. I really think Matheny/Bochy is the biggest match up in this series.
  - cardinal70 said, on October 14, 2014 at 12:39 pm
    
    Which, if that’s the case, is a large advantage for SF.
    
    I’ve been impressed that the Cardinal power has shown up this postseason. Like last year, when they stopped hitting with RISP after setting a record during the season, the October version of this squad only partially resembles the club from the rest of the season. If that keeps up, I feel better about this series. If not, and it comes down to bullpen management or making a tactical move, I’m not optimistic.
  - Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 12:48 pm
    
    I agree with both of you on most counts. I think Bochy/Matheny is big, but there are a lot of other match-ups that are key, IMO.
    
    I think a huge point for the Giants is keeping St. Louis in the ballpark. As most others I see this going 6 0r 7.
willedav said, on October 14, 2014 at 12:45 pm

Here’s a ? for Cards blogger: How will playing at ATT adjust thinking of hitters pitchers and mgr?
Most Giants did not fare nearly as well at home as on road. Consequently, Giants announcer Mike Krukow often referred to local clime (especially at night) as “pitcher’s weather.”
- willedav said, on October 14, 2014 at 12:47 pm
  
  “Most Giants hitters…”
- cardinal70 said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:02 pm
  
  Cardinal fans would have liked to see Matheny take into account the spacious outfield and start Peter Bourjos in center and Jon Jay in right. Bourjos has hit tolerably well in the past at times anyway and his defense is superb. They haven’t done that in Game 3, we’ll see if it’s a consideration going forward.
  
  Other than that, I don’t know that it will affect the strategy much. The Cardinals are already having trouble hitting and, power surge to the contrary, they aren’t expecting to hit home runs. They’ll be looking for gappers and base hits, but that’s usually what they are looking for.
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:02 pm

Awesome that Weir, Lesh, and the Flanman are doing the Star Spangled Banner.
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:03 pm
  
  That was pretty sweet. Well done.
DJLoo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:24 pm

Dots on 2nd and 3rd. One dot scored!
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:24 pm

Hell yes! Scoring first is always huge for our boys!
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:24 pm

Yes! Pence, drives in Posey with 2 outs. 1-0
willedav said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:25 pm

Nice shot Pablo who has done good job of taking outside pitches and going with them.
Yeah! Another well struck ball, and Hudson’s got a lead. So much for AJ.
I gotta run to work, enjoy guys.
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:25 pm

GO GO GO you Orange and Black Dots!
DJLoo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:26 pm

Been waiting 12 years to burn this fuckin’ Lackey….
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:29 pm
  
  Right with ya there, DJ. I don’t often dislike a player but F that guy. And his catcher too.
Macdog said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:27 pm

An RBI double! How ’bout a curtain call?
DJLoo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:27 pm

Loaded up for Ishi, Dot Universe….
- Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:28 pm
  
  Dot Universe meets Flap Universe…the planets align. Nirvana…
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:27 pm

Ishikawa! They all score. Humm Baby!
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:27 pm

They ALL SCORE! ISHI ISHI ISHI!!!
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:28 pm

John Miller is the best.
- Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:29 pm
  
  Agree…love Miller. And to think he was a Bay Area kid who grew up listening to baseball on the radio with the dream of being the Giants radio announcer. How damned cool is that…
DJLoo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:28 pm

3 Run triple! 4-0!!!!
willedav said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:28 pm

Ishi crushed that, even into the wind. Vaya Gigantes!
Lackey’s f-ed up.
- Bozo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:30 pm
  
  Yeeeesssss!
Macdog said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:29 pm

ISHI!!!
DJLoo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:29 pm

Eat shit, Lackey, you motherfuckin’ cocksucker!!!
- Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:08 pm
  
  I did too. Noticed yours and cleared it Loo.
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:29 pm

WHOOT! I can hardly sit still here at work! I just want to jump up and scream!
DJLoo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:31 pm

I think I just got rightfully spam-filtered. I’m losin’ it here!!!
DJLoo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:35 pm

Lackey not happy with Bitch-chick in RF. Scumbag showed him up for all to see…
zumiee said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:35 pm

The Cardinal rightfielder got schooled, AT&T Park-style.

Good luck to any hitter hitting an HR today. That’s some serious wind blowing in.
paulinasia said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:37 pm

A good night’s sleep: vital. First day of work in the new job tomorrow: important. Watching the Giants score 4 in the 1st inning even though it’s 3:30am: priceless.
DJLoo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:39 pm

Yadier moving around like a 90 year old in the dugout…
See ya A.J!
Macdog said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:39 pm

AJ K
stickman said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:41 pm

Another brilliant Sabean pickup. Ishi even ranks my old 91 Ford F-150. First XBH in awhile comes with perfect timing. Who says we can’t hit at home.
- Alleykat said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:08 pm
  
  Great move by Bochy as well Stix,
  Moving up Ishikawa one spot instead of Mudbug, proved huge!
  Boch going with a hunch provides dividends.
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:43 pm

Anyone else hear that voice behind Miller talking relentless smack? lulz.
zumiee said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:46 pm

Daniel totally nailed this:
“There’s already been a backlash over Mike Matheny using Randal Grichuk instead of Peter Bourjos, given Bourjos’s superior defensive capabilities, so it’ll be interesting to see how that goes over.”
knightp4 said, on October 14, 2014 at 1:52 pm

Cards lose they will have an excuse but Molina has sucked eggs since April. Time for he and Bengie to open up a Molina Bros surf shack.
- Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:05 pm
  
  Molina Brothers surf shack…maybe they could do home made tamales and tacos on the side. 😉 I would feel bad for the Cards (well, no I wouldn’t). Shit, Giants are missing Pagan, Cain, etc.
DJLoo said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Jesus, Posey makes Benjie Molina look like Usain Bolt…
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:14 pm

HUGE K!
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:16 pm

Still out of the inning. Time to get some more runs.
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:16 pm

Dammit. Okay…let’s get those runs back, boys!
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:16 pm

Shit!! Though huddy was getting out of it.
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:18 pm

Got out of a meeting and got a text from my son that we were up 4-0. Woo hoo! Just got gameday going and ‘saw’ this.
ODBB said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:20 pm

Hudson: you ass monkey. Quit throwing the Wonger slow curves down and in.
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:22 pm

Giants got to take some better ABs here. Way to go Hudson!
zumiee said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:23 pm

Hudson seemed really hittable that last inning. I hope he’s not running out of gas already.
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:24 pm

Huddy needs to hunker down and grind out a couple blank innings.
Macdog said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:24 pm

Good job by Huddy, now Blanco won’t lead off next inning.
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:25 pm
  
  lqtm
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:26 pm

Ass monkey?

Fuck, game cast is slow.
Alleykat said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:30 pm

Damm,Hudson could of got out of that inning, but “Somethin went Wong”
zumiee said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:31 pm

Bochy, get the bullpen going…..
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:32 pm

Get the pen going. He hit Lackey?
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:33 pm

You KNOW Boch wants to get him through 5 . . . but I don’t think he hesitates in pulling him if need be.
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:33 pm

Double Play, Baby! Hell Yes!
salty said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:33 pm

Oh sweet
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:33 pm

Yes!!!!
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:34 pm

Time to step on the gas.
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:34 pm

It was a mistake pitch. No harm, no foul. Huddy is only at 73 pitches, and overall has been pretty good. If they can get another inning or inning-plus, it is all money…
zumiee said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:35 pm

Nice DP, but I’m real nervous about Hudson trying to get through the Cardinal lineup one more time. First sign of trouble next inning, have a couple of BP guys warming up. I’d say have Lopez ready to face Adams, if need be.
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:36 pm

Runs run runs come on we can’t leave it at this.
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:39 pm

Good to see us wasting no time to get back out on defense.
ODBB said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:39 pm

Get a fucking ball in the air to left, someone. Posey is sucking the red rocket right now
Chipower9 said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:41 pm

I agree that the leash needs to be short for Hudson. Bullpen is well rested. Just no Strickland to any lefties…
- zumiee said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:43 pm
  
  At least have Lopez ready for Wong if need be. That guy’s on fire.
salty said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:44 pm

Can’t get this john jay out ferchrissakes
zumiee said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:44 pm

And now they can’t get Jay out.

BULLPEN get ready.
snarkk said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:45 pm

Friggin Jay is a pain in the arse…
- zumiee said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:47 pm
  
  He’s what we wish Blanco was, is part of the frustration.
salty said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:46 pm

Bochy doesn’t want to repeat game 2…he’ll hold out using Lopez Affeldt till 7-8th if he can.
salty said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:48 pm

Makes you almost wish for …moooojares as a 3rd lefty. 😉
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:51 pm

Sheesh. Can we get ONE run across?
ODBB said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:52 pm

Get some fucking runs!!
zumiee said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:52 pm

Hudson leaked a little more oil. But 6 innings, 3 runs, the Quality Start qualification.
The Giants could really help things a lot by scoring again. There’s an idea! 🙂
ODBB said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:55 pm

Pence: you’ve looked like floating turd this entire series.
unca_chuck said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:58 pm

God damn these guys. Got to just hold them down to nothing at this point. We ain’t even getting a baserunner. Fuck . . . . . .
zumiee said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:58 pm

The Giants’ offense has gone into that dead water mode at home, that BF was referring to. The crowd nervous as heck.
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 14, 2014 at 2:59 pm

Geeze, at least Ishikawa saw some pitches.