Rainbow Bombs > Warning Track Power
Games like last night’s sort of write their own thread the next day.
Welcome back Under Pants and we have scored 21 runs in the last 2 games. What I don’t get is this: The balls they hit off Voggy died at the warning track (except for Bruce). Same thing the game before v Lincecum. And yet we’re sending rainbow bombs well into the bleachers. How are the Giants hitters, supposedly worse than the vaunted Cincinnati offense, laying such prodigious wood? Especially when you consider that Lincecum and Voggy are “totally done”, at least according to Flappers far and wide……
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
One of the most interesting things to come out of the SABR movement, IMO, is BABIP analysis. As you all may already know: Batting Average on Balls In Play, an attempt to sort of account for the factor of chance, fortune, luck in baseball. The Reds have had some bad BABIP fortune the past two days. That could change today, or it could change after the Giants leave town today. Frazier, in particular, has hit several balls very hard that have turned into outs. Giants hitters have feasted on the Reds’ ballpark the past two games. Keep it up again today!
BF, two games ago, MadBum pitched. The two pitchers Flappers are most down on are Timmy and Vogie. Timmy didn’t do great in his Cincy game, although pitched well enough to win if the Giants’ offense had taken better advantage of the ballpark; and Vogie did well, although couldn’t make it 6 innings after being given an 11-0 lead.
right. I was referring to Timmy and Voggy just forgot MadBum pitched in between them. THe point is the same. Reds hitters couldn’t take Timmy or Voggy deep the way our hitters were blasting the ball out of their yard. All their hitters could be (mostly) is hit the ball to the warning track vs, supposedly, our worst 2 starting pitchers.
Heston and the Reds sea. There’s a potential pun in there somewhere…. 🙂
Nice little tidbit from Baggs:
“With three regular-season grand slams, Crawford is tied for 12th on the Giants’ all-time list in the San Francisco era. I was surprised to see that Chris Speier, another shortstop, hit four.
The leader, of course, is Willie McCovey, with 16. Barry Bonds hit nine; Willie Mays and Jeff Kent hit seven; Matt Williams and Jack Clark hit five; Speier, Bobby Bonds, Pedro Feliz, J.T. Snow and Orlando Cepeda hit four.”
And, of course, Craw had the HUGE grand slam against the Pirates in the Wild Card game.
Park factor. It was supposed to be 80 there yesterday. I don’t think it’s out of ? to believe this is more what Giants hitters would look like if they played all year in Milwaukee or another hitters yard like this one. Fences are reachable for everyone, even at night. And it stays this way in summer too, when it’s not 55 out.
It’s funny to be sitting at home in shorts and nothing with fans on/AC going while watching a summer night game at ATT and see crowd all bundled up
Snarkk, I hear you on Cain (and the contract) from end of last thread, but…he is still throwing regularly and his words were more like not if, but when he can return, with AS break being a possibility. It is weird not much is being said but it sounds like he is fully confident on taking mound eventually.
Peavy seems much closer. I know he sucked both times out this year but he wasn’t healthy and I think he provides a definite lift. As unlikely as Dodgers hitters sustain their astronomic O throughout season, you gotta wonder how much longer Vogs and Lincecum defy odds. Whether everyone can stay healthy or not still big ?
With Ryu still out, gotta hope LA doesn’t grab a potential FA or a Hamels before Sabes does.
Fact that Cainner is throwing again is encouraging. Don’t understand why the negativity or dwelling on dire predictions of TJ surgery. That fate is present for every pitcher, regardless of age or mileage, so I still think it was a signing they had to make.
Roster-wise, what the hell would they do if Cain and Peavy were ready to be activated today?
I think Snarkk’s comments on Cain at the end of the last thread are valid. What the hell is wrong with Matt Cain and why doesn’t a beat writer dig a little deeper on this? Why the secrecy? Or is Schulman too busy fighting with him followers on twitter?
“Fighting with followers on Twitter”
Did you ever think you would type those words 10 years ago (or even less)?
What planet is this?
Well, who knows with Giants medicos. MRI showed no ligament damage.. No idea why they would they lie or hide info about that or delay surgery? Makes no sense.
But Originally they said the Flexor strain was a two week thing, now going on two months.
I’ve had back strains that healed in 3/days and others that took 3 months.
I agree Flav, but he is throwing in AZ and not just sitting around while more surgery is being contemplated.
Doesn’t sound like Glass Sanchez to me.
For publication at least, and this does come up every few days, it sounds like a matter of when, not if.
How are A’s fans feeling? Is Beane bashing at an all-time high?
G’s fans should be Feeling pretty danm good to be 19-18 4.5 back, still basking with 3/5, yet over at Baggs they are still incessantly whining about every move Bochy makes and have Duffman reaching mystical status.
Er, mythical
If all starters are healthy and pitching reasonably well, there will be no way around a 6 man rotation which would make all the sense in the world for every member of this crew…
Per Rotogrinders . . .
“Kyle Kendrick – I’ll spare you some time here and get right to the point; Kyle Kendrick is a gas can and the Dodgers own MLB’s most lethal offense as they sport a .361 team wOBA. Kendrick limps into Dodger Stadium today sporting a 7.65 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and just 5.63 K/9 through his first seven starts of 2015. The Dodgers slammed him for six earned runs in just 4.2 innings when they met last month and he should be avoided even when he’s not pitching at Coors Field. Rating = 2”
With friends like Kendrick, who needs enemies.
I drank the KoolAid.
I have a mini-stack of Crawford and Blanco in one of my cash games. Actually, I was running out of fake salary trying to get Pujols, Trout, Kipnis and Moss into my LU, so I drank the KoolAid and inserted the dos Gigante amigos. 🙂
A Kool-Aid stand was a guaranteed money maker for little kids in the 60’s…
Yes definite moneymaker Loo.
Especially if you had the vintage smiling drink pitcher on display.
“Fake salary” — that sounds like what I make at my job.
Strange bunt try there by Pena, after Heston starts with 4 straight balls. And then Craw damn-near got killed on the play.
I hope they get this game in, the rain delay business in the midwest is maddening. Must be a real pain for fans to deal with constantly in the late Spring/Summer, in the domeless parks…
Belt with the double again. Quick, time to trade the guy while his price is a little higher.
Blade, did you put Belt in your LUs the past few days? 🙂 …
Yes, I did against Wilcojoe. Unfortunately, he had Shin-Soo fucking Choo, who had 10.5 points (that’s a lot in Fan Duel). Consequently, I lost by a very small margin. Joe and I have had some epic battles since he joined DFS.
Yeah, last nights duel was a nail biter. I think Howie Kendrick getting hbp in the last of the ninth, is what put me over the top.
Correction, Josh Turner not Kendrick.
Glad to see Belt finally heating up.
Wore a “Chasisty Belt” for much of the season..
WTF is the ump waiting for to get the tarp on?. They KNOW the rain is coming, they should have called it before, and put the tarp on ahead of time. Stupid…
Belt with another nice drive.
Watching Posey drive one deep in corner to dead RF, I think Giants would love to hit here all year.
One guy who is not doing much tho is Susac. He’s only had 33 ABs in limited action and is only hitting .212 with 2 XBHs. Has lowest slugging pct on entire team.
Crawdaddy’s 26th RBI just tied him with Starling Marte and Justin Upton for 6th in the NL.
Craw is effectively playing the 3rd baseman’s role on offense. If he weren’t clubbing HRs and driving in runs like a corner position player, the McDP mess at third would be exposed as much worse for the offense…
Why the hell was Heston bunting with 2nd & 3rd?
I was scratching my head on that one, it wasn’t a suicide squeeze. Bad attempt at a safety squeeze, maybe?…
Blanco looks like he’s in one of his hot streaks. As much as I rag on his offense, I’m up for more of this for sure, any pop from him is gravy. And Aoki! Awesome clutch AB and hit with RISP getting in the two RBIs…
Also he’s a lefty. In fact, Bochy has stacked the LU with lefties (good call) to take advantage of DeSclafani’s ineptitude toward them.
Way to pick up Duffy&Heston!
Huge 2 out hit Nori..
Anybody hear anything more on Pagan? He went out with back spasms yesterday, mid-game, and getting today off to get a two-day rest. Anything with his back has me concerned. The guy has been nails on offense so far…
Actually, Pagan is hitting 324, but he’s had few XBH and walks. He’s been ok, but not particularly effective at helping to produce runs.
He wasn’t the guy putting himself in at #3 because Pence was out. I don’t find a SLG at .408 that bad for a guy who’s not a #3 hitter by trade…
Agreed, he’s about where he always is over any longer stretch, mid-700s OPS.
Agree with Snarkk. Pagan has been nails all season . . . Dunno where we would be without him.
I’m sure we’d be 10 games under without him.
DeSclafani is one of two local Jersey guys, along with Frazier, on the Reds. Went to Colts Neck HS, home to numerous horse farms and a Trump National golf course.
Appears that the Death of a Thousand Cuts offense is back in the saddle ~ again keyed by that leadoff double by Belt. Blanco, Aoki and Crawford are on fire. Could be that Blanco has a psychological need for serious competition to keep starting regularly in the O.F. Anything that works.
For all those devastating series in Cincy in recent years (excepting that NLDS one) this little set of fireworks displays has to be some sweet revenge.
Are we glad to have Pence back or what?!
Pence really is a freak of nature. I doubt he probably needed the week or so in Triple A.
Hunter Pence!!!
Smoking Linedrive HR!!!
Yes sir, Welcome back!!
Wow!
gotta admit I didn’t see this coming. Basically zero ST, couple games in Sac, and Pence is raking like mid season.
BREAK UP THE GIANTS!
It is so fuckin’ rad to have Under Pants back!
Keep these hitting shoes coming!
Hunter hit a 1 iron on that HR!!
Team is hitting loud shots all series..
Who wouldda thunk it? These guys are hitting like they’re the reigning World Champs or something. That blast by the Very Most High Reverend Underpants was the “glad to be back” blitz. His fellow too tall Texan who had just drawn a BB was delighted to proceed him to the plate.
Looks like the Halloween Machine is back in gear.
Hey– sounds like Twin isn’t doing so well. Says he won’t be posting for a while. You are in our thoughts, Twinner. Hope you bounce back soon.
Agree. Get well Twin!
Always the best, Michael.
Thoughts are with you Michael,get well soon..
Good vibes to you, Oracle…
Hang in there Twin.
Always good thoughts Michael and best wishes.
Giants making the Reds look bad again.
Trading Latos for this kid and C prospect not looking good so far.
Btw, big column on F/G today about potential suitors for Tulo and what Rox would be looking for/likely to ultimately wind up. Lot of blogger comments on this too. good read
Cincy announcers put up a graphic earlier in this game showing how the Giants were dead last in the league (ok, Phillies were worse) @ 3 runs per game . . . Fast forward this season, they are scoring at an 8 per game clip (not including this game).
Desclafani @ 72 pitches through three. That’s 24 pitches/inning. Not exactly the definition of economical pitch count.
As DeSclafani just found out, walking guys in this park can hurt you.
Kid’s got a 5 run lead…hope it’s enough.
Looooooong single. lqtm.
Damm, Heston sure lost it quickly.
Just shocked only 1 run scored on Bruce’s hit off the wall, bad base running.
Wow, unbelievable they are still ahead. Let’s hope that bit of Cincy misfortune allows SF to hold on.
Bad play (throw) by Pence.
Bad play by Hunter, no chance to get the runner, and let’s both runners move up.
Good thing the Giants have a day off tomorrow.
Nice job by Petit getting couple pop ups to end inning.
Unscored upon last 8 innings.
Btw, read somewhere a couple of days ago that Cain said after a throwing session that his elbow didn’t hurt as much. Hurt? Why should it hurt at all? I don’t remember reading about pain, just stiffness and some soreness as it was stretched out. Maybe I’m reading more into this than us actually there but I think there are issues we’re not hearing about.
That would be shocking, wouldn’t it — injury issues we don’t know about?
I wouldn’t be shocked if one day mid-game they announce Cain had TJ’s a few days back with Dr. Andrews, and that everybody knew it was coming, like somehow we did know. Thanks to the team beat reporters, we’ll know what they had for lunch in the press room before we know what’s really happening with Cain…
Alright Duffy!!
Much needed run there,,
Put a runner in scoring position and the Duffster becomes a force of nature.
Wow, Kruk’s even got a scouting report on which umps let you play through rain.
Don’t know about you guys, but every once in a while, I like a slugfest like this. Breaks up the usual torture games, which leave me a little winded with such a constant diet of ’em…
Shit. Blowing a 6-1 lead and losing would be major suckage. The Reds are fighting hard not to lose 3 of 4 at home. Need more runs.
That rain delay likely screwed up both starters. I wonder why, if you can see on doppler that the rain is coming almost certainly in half an hour, why not just postpone the start, ride out the first delay, then have the starters start? Would that be a preposterous thing to do?…
How long was the delay, snarkk?
The Reds guy was on ice for about half hour, maybe a little less.
Heston was on ice for 40 minutes. Usually, the managers pull the starter if the delay is a hour or more.
Physically, I think it’s probably not that big of a deal, since they’re probably tossing underneath in the cage areas behind the clubhouses. But, the starting and stopping and starting outside of the usual routine is probably weird — these guys today have been in pro ball for quite a while, but effectively new to MLB…
It happens enough to think there’s something there. These guys are such a regimented schedule that it might not take much to mess up their rhythm. Makes what Bum did in game 7 all the more remarkable.
TV’s continuing obsession with everything Yankees continues to baffle me. They’re on all the time. Again. Once again the Giants are world champs and hardly ever on regional or national television.
We lucked out it going into the stands.
Yep. I think that ground rule double rule is dumb — automatically stopping the runner ahead at two bases advancement. The umps have the ability to waive in the runner on fan interference in that case, but not here where a ball bounces into the stands. Hamilton obviously would have scored on that one if he had walked in on his hands. Does that take more judgment than fan interference ?…
The Adams Family theme song is Cozart’s walk up music?
lol
Bochy is probably willing to let it all hang out to get this win, with the bullpen I mean. 3 of 4 on the road doesn’t happen all that often.
Agree LJ,
Dayoff tomorrow you can stretch out your staff.
Pence update.. Now only 1 run behind McDP’s total for the season in around 100 less AB’s..
Cincy announcers are unanimous – They’re chatting about Lopez’s paucity of innings pitched and paycheck:
“Good work if you can get it.”
They called me for advice on that… 😉
Marlins just fired their manager (Redmond) and bench coach (Rob Leary, local Bay Area native), currently 16-22. Leary was on with Marty Lurie last weekend in an interview, seemed like a good, knowledgeable dude. With Expos/Marlins 15+ years, off and on. Other than the players there, does anybody care in Miami, even Marlins “fans”?…
Wotus should apply for the position. By the by, Reds announcers were raving about Wotus earlier in the game, calling him both Dusty Baker’s and Bochy’s right hand man. Weird seeing him at 3rd base and not the bench today.
Blade,So who’s Bochy’s left arm man, Raggs?
No doubt AK . . . Bruce is no dummy – he recognizes that outstanding people, even if they go onto greener pastures, ultimately make him look good.*
*All of my supervisors were this way – good mentors, who gave me the freedom to do my job . . . except the last idiot I had (causing me to become a whistle blower and after winning my case, retire). 🙂
I believe Rob Leary played ball with Barry at Serra High School?
Duffy 2-4 now, 2 singles w/ an RBI.
Just don’t see how Bochy can continue to play McDP much longer. If McDP continues suckage at home, it may get embarrassing if the fans start to Boo, and it takes a lot to make SF fans Boo…
Awesome! Bunt hit by Aoki with Craw scoring. Luv it!!!!!
Would like to know if Aoki did that on his own, or Bochy called it. I like Aoki more and more all the time; the dude makes plays (ignoring his sometimes weird baserunning and defense) 🙂 …
Did you see where 3b was playing Aoki? Smart play by Aoki and a great bunt, but man they were playing him like Miguel Cabrera.
Insurance runs always a good thing…pen game, kind SF should win.
Would a team firing their manager in mid-season ever be able to steal another team’s bench coach to take over? Wotus is under contract for this season, so it would be really weird. If the Marlins asked, it would be within the Giants rights to say no and they probably would, but what’s the protocol?…
I would think exactly the example you described snarkk. Also, if that scenario played out – I doubt the Giants would hold someone back, especially Wotus who has been with the organization for so long.
If the Marlins asked, if I were the Giants I’d say no, with the wink if not assurance that they could have Wotus for next season…
I’m serious when I say that I usually avoid Giants position players in DFS, especially at the Phone Park . . . However today, I had Blanco, Crawford, and Pence, whom all have exceeded expectations. 🙂
Damn, I wish I had a couple of Belt shares. 😦
I’m lovin’ this until his next futile streak… 😉
I have him in an early game and he just put me in the money.
This game has had more offense than Niner games last season.
Affleldt has pretty much sucked so far this year.
Giants need some more insurance again — this one looks like it could be a last at bat game without more than a one run lead…
There’s some insurance — Belt with the oppo dinger!!
That reminds me of his two HRs in Miami a few years back when he first came up, hit at the Dolphins stadium, one was crushed to deep left center. When he’s hitting oppo shots, he is ON. If Belt played at a home park just about anywhere other than ATT — say Cincy or Milwaukee or Houston or Baltimore or Boston or Ariz, he’d hit over 30 dingers…
Belt listened to the Flappers! Tip o’ the cap too Baby Giraffe!
If I were a FA starting pitcher, I’d tell my agent to not even take calls from Cincy…
Like it or not, I think you’ll see a lot less of Posey at 1b.
That’s the kind of whack I’d like to see Belt get at ATT, esp during day games.
Also another reason Affeldt likes pitching at ATT I’m sure a lot better than here.
Seems to me Bochy playing with fire keeping Affeldt in…
Well their’s 1 extra insurance run provided by Belt..
Like that old TV show “eight enough” not to sure 8 runs was gonna do it today..
Eight is enough..
Holy clusterfuck.
Affleldt is crap right now. I would have pulled him after the HR and that long out…
This game just keeps getting crazier by the minute.
Wow, this is crazy stuff. Pulling Crawford in a one run game?…
Yeah, and doing a double switch with double out is really crazy..
That’s about 4 runners that have not scored for the Reds . . . one more escape?
I would like to see an AB of Stanton against Chapman.
If Stanton gets hold of one of those Chapman fireballs, the ball might explode…
McDP should homer right now against Chapman. It would make sense, sort of…
Clips down 10 at half. A ton of pressure they’ve put on themselves after that colossal gag job in Game 6, up 19 in the 3rd and getting outscored 40-15 — with Harden sitting the entire quarter — in the 4th.