Sunday!
Oh goodie, Jaime Garcia Day. Never liked this guy.
If we trot out the same line up as yesterday, the same line up that Bochy basically HAD to write up, I don’t see how we do anything other than 000 000 000. I call that box score “Adrianza Cubed”.
The Cubs are worthless trolls who we can’t be counted on for anything. Even with Arrieta going tonight, I bet they find a way to screw up.
Gotta just win for ourselves and not worry about the stuff we can’t control…….
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Adrianza Cubed. That’s classic.
I’d call the Giants’ August schedule the Bataan Death-march, but that would be hyperbole. No players are being killed by sadistic Japanese soldiers.
we could call it the katana attack of a crippled season?
but adrianza cubed was otherworldly
The cubs playing poorly in losanges is our fault, really. Winning the second home game against them took their win streak by surprise. They jump on us first inning and they are thinking “here we go again” and then we tie it up in our half. We go on to win and they cannot do a thing except ‘what luck’ we will have them tomorrow. And tomorrow they get blown out and the balloon of their win streak begins to leak.
Damn it, but we had to do it.
Go Gigantes!
Oh man, that’s funny. Maybe Flav should write the official pre-game notes: “The Giants have been Adrianza Cubed four times in their last 19 games. . . . Saturday’s loss to the Cardinals was the first time the Giants were Adrianza Cubed at home since a 2-0 loss to the Astros on Aug. 12.”
Adrianza cubed is a HOFer…
I realize LU is bereft of ml talent right now, but only way SF survives to come out on top of things will be with stellar pitching performances. Interested to see what Heston has going for him this time of year.
Snarkk with another POTD end of last thread. One of my grandfather’s was kind of a bridge, like a vet guy would be to younger baseball players. Taught me card games like 500 rummy, pinochile, cribbage we used to while away time with. Stayed fit too–at 75 he could still whack away a steady rhythm on a speed bag.
SF guy who moved down Peninsula, he remembered nickel beer and free food in bars and told great stories of his younger days preparing to be a fireman and later a steam fitter in Navy yard.
Thanks guys, I actually added that after I posted the main thread. Thought of it while I was taking a dump, for whatever that’s worth
That’s where many people do their best thinking…
Norichika Aoki (L)
Matt Duffy (R)
Brandon Belt (L)
Buster Posey (R)
Marlon Byrd (R)
Kelby Tomlinson (R)
Gregor Blanco (L)
Ehire Adrianza (S)
Chris Heston (R)
I mean, again, it’s hard to get too enthused about this LU even with Posey back. Posey back almost makes it worse. He needs to start hitting again…..
I feel you Flav … Posey does almost make it worse … who’d da thunk we’d ever say something like that!?!?
What is Byrd’s average, 15 points higher than Maxwell? The latter is more familiar with right field and has played some nice defense for us; the former will hit an occasional dinger … Believe it or nuts, Maxwell’s OPS is ever so slightly higher than Byrd’s over the last 30 games … oh brother, what a predicament, what a crap shoot, uh?
I’m sure Posey will get it going again real soon – he always does.
Byrd must know triples alley inside out after yesterday.
Maxwell is an awful baseball player.
I acquiesce to your knowledge Loo … However, I fear waiting for the real Posey to emerge may be a case of too little too late. I, as I’m sure you did, witnessed Maxwell make some spectacular defensive plays this year. Therefore, I cannot, in good conscience, say he is a ‘terrible baseball player’. I think that is a bit severe. Yet, he truly cannot hit worth a damn, especially in the clutch.
When is the last time time we saw the ‘conga line’ in a game? I cannot recollect. Other than brief moment here or there, It certainly hasn’t been present for most of this month.
I guess Maxwell’s just my whipping boy, Lisle. He seems like such a waste. I don’t even think he’s that good of an outfielder. Sometimes great catches are the result of misjudging a ball or getting a poor jump – who knows? The conga line is mostly on the DL or just came off it (Aoki). Posey is way down on my Giant/giant list of concerns…
Why not have a designated fielder? Maxwell could play defense for Byrd, and Byrd hits for Maxwell?
000 plays 2nd base, but Specs hits for him…
Today’s LU isn’t that bad, well, compared to yesterday anyway.
But, Garcia v. Heston looks like a Cardinals win on paper.
Really need to win today, especially if Cubs crater tonight.
Going into LA 4 1/2 back would be no bueno.
In LA, SFmust avoid a sweep, take 2 of 3 is the realistic goal, but that’s going to be tough with the Greinke/Kershaw duo going.
Getting swept would be near death, 6 1/2 or so out with a month left is on the outside edge of doable, but they’d still be short some starters for maybe another week to 10 days after the LA series is done. If that’s the case, they might be better off hoping the Cubs come back to earth…
With this well described “cubed” set of lineups going, Giants absolutely have to limit fielding and base running mistakes. The margin for error is slim. Specs has problems turning the DP, and has a tin glove so far. Byrd isn’t the best with glove or arm. Until Pence, Panik, Pagan and even Posey (the real one replaces the impostor currently playing) come back in good order, they just can’t give any runs away…
And keep your fingers crossed that Heston’s arm is still attached to his body…
Not good news about Timmy.
I’m bummed.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2015/08/30/tim-lincecums-hip-recovery-stalls-and-he-might-have-thrown-his-last-pitch-as-a-giant-the-bad-days-are-outshining-the-good-ones/
So am I, but Timmy’s made $100 million in his career – not too bad.
I see on that same page that Amy G, who has destroyed her looks with some terrible plastic surgery is tweeting that Panik won’t join the team till next week in AZ. Crawford supposed to play tomorrow…
No surprise about these come back projections for DLed guys. Giants would be better off just saying they don’t know, instead of Bochy saying dumb stuff up front like 2 weeks for Pence with an oblique, etc. I predicted around mid Sept for both Pence and Panik, and I don’t think I’ll be far off. Unfortunately, could be too late by then. Really unfortunate the Giants have been hammered by injuries this season, the division is clearly winnable from a Doghair squad that has a really flawed staff after Greinke and Kershaw, and a messed up clubhouse. Management will probably replace most of the coaching staff there for next season…
What makes you say she had surgery?
Hey Snark, if the Dodgers go down the drain what would you think about firing D2X and making Wotus a Don Corleone type offer?
Ewisco, Amy just doesn’t look right around the eyes and mouth. At least to me, anyway.
LA probably needs for PR to make a higher profile hire than Wotus, but should hire a guy like him…
Have you guys ever seen Amy G up close, at the park? Statuesque is the applicable cliché, I believe. After my son gave a foul ball he’d snagged to a very little girl nearby (big ovation from that corner of the ballpark for him, of course), AG came by with a camera guy and knelt down to interview the tyke. Very tight short skirt, very nice hips. Didn’t really notice her face.
Xoot. I think she’s kinda cute. I really like that she’s tall. I had a huge crush on Kate what’s her name that did a’s games. Had a snaggle-tooth smile I loved. I wonder what happened to her?
Kate longworth.
Did you see her just now? I think she got her lips plumped up and there’s noticeable creases by her mouth.
Looks all distorted….
I would say the lines are more indicative of old age than surgery. If she wanted to she could use curare, I think, to smooth those out.
I think Clinique sells that stuff…
Sad news about Timmy. A statue of him fully stretched out with left foot waayy out there and his arm trailing wwaayy behind him would be very cool. Doesn’t deserve a statue maybe but it would look cool and he deserves something.
I’d go with the famous finger in the air 2010 hatless celebration shot…
Good call, Loo.
My favorite Giants photo of all time.
#2 is the Pagan at the plate after his walk off inside the parker.
#3 is Marichal with his bat raised up ready to crack Roseboro.
#2 and #3 are changeable depending on which photos I’ve forgotten that somebody reminds me about …
A major concern of mine is that when we get some of our spark plugs back, how long is going to take for them to start firing? There always seems to be a period of adjustment and we are quickly running out of time.
I read where yesterday’s fan death at Turner Field in Atlanta was the third fan death from a fall there in the last 8 years. One apparently a suicide, one alcohol related, last night’s not yet determined. Higher railing? Net sticking out from under the deck? Maybe it’s time these be considered. I’ve always wondered about those railings not being particularly high, and how small kids seemingly are at risk. Yet, it’s adults that seem to take the falls. Lucky somebody below wasn’t seriously hurt or killed…
It’s a miracle no one was hurt or killed below. Some of the comments from people below the news articles are so brutal, although I have to admit one made me chuckle. The fan who died was 60 years old. One commentor wrote: “Where were his parents?”
Gotta luv minor league ball.
This is an incredible consecutive game streak!…
http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2015/08/30/146267936
Uh oh.
It’d be nice if once in a while the Giants starters other than Bum would get a 1-2-3 first inning…
Heston’s got nothing. Get him the fuck out of there!
I was actually kidding, but now that’s not sounding like such a bad idea.
Shit! Not the start I was hoping for with Heston.
At least he’s throwing strikes…
Well, disastrous first inning. You knew this was a risk, the guy hadn’t really pitched in 2 weeks, other than on the side…
Hoping now for a slugfest…
Fuck oh dear … Here we go … another FUCKING dismal day!
Maybe Petit better get his game face on…
Ortiz hit a dinger today for RSox — goes past Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 27th on the all time HR list.
Where’s the PEDs outrage for this guy — he failed that “anonymous” PEDs test in 2003 that went public. No, he’s the beloved “Papi”, and Bonds is a villain…
Byrd gets the Giants back in the game!
Alright, time to hunker down the friggin pitching…
Holy Hannah, they are hitting rockets off of Heston…
What happened to the ground ball pitcher?
He only hits them now…
How deep is McCovey Cove? I really need to know…
Freaking Molina is killing us.
He needs a day off, like Buster…
If a fan fell out of the upper deck at AT&T and killed a Giants cameraman, would Krukow call him an “ugly finder?”
Posey with a hit, but just a single.
He and Molina over the last 30 days have hitting stats that are almost the same. That’s not good.
Posey OPS = .707. Molina = .698, with a slightly higher SLG than Posey. Both with 2 HRs, but Molina with fewer ABs…
So, is Bochy waiting for the Cards to get 3 HRs off of Heston before pulling him, or wait until 4?…
Well, Heston was terrible.
Now, what to do with this rotation?…
Waive it?
There’s a certain amount of Posey-bashing every season on the Flap. It would be inexplicable to fans of other teams.
Sorry zum.
The bloom is off the Posey rose a bit for me. Due to his bat disappearing act the last 1/3 of the past few seasons…
That’s not accurate regarding the regular season last year.
I think you are right Snark … Didn’t he have a strong reg season finish last year but wasn’t able to contribute much in the playoffs?
Sorry .. I meant Zum is correct.
Force of habit … snark is usually right about everything … 😉
Not terrible in the playoffs last year. 2 for 5 against the Pirates. He hit very well against the Nats. He cooled off in the next two rounds.
I’ll take a look zum. Maybe I’m exaggerating. But, I don’t think I’m way off. Posey’s SLG the last month doesn’t cut it for the franchise guy. Only 2 HRs in just over the last 100 ABs? That SLG is 7th of the top 7 catchers in the NL…
Thanks for the memory refresh Zum … I only remembe a vague sense that overall Posey was not the ‘force’ he usually is.
Not to go all Jamesian 🙂 but even good hitters have slow months. Posey’s a career .850 OPS hitter so far.
Yes, of course everybody, even the best of the best, are going to have their ups & downs … Yet, the timing of the roller coaster ride is crucial … There were times this year we really needed Posey to light it up and he did not come through .. There were a few times he did .. but overall I think he was not there when we really needed him … like that last brutal road trip through Pit & StL. I also think back to those games we lost in Texas and Atl courtesy of Casillia (his 5 blown saves is second nobody but Fernando Rodney – 6BS) although a couple of closers have matched him. And, needless to say the months of the crippled Pagan did not help matters … A lot of games we should have won …
That home run thing. We should try it. It looks like fun, especially with runners on.
I agree … Why is it we hear so much about how difficult it is to hit the long ball in our park but opposing teams seem to do it consistently and with relative ease ?
Teams could challenge Garcia’s solid red glove. It violates the same rule Wilson’s solid orange shoes did.
Fuck … We really do need some bounces to go our way now … We have not had much luck this month on top of everything else like injuries and crap pitching.
BB-gun attack today. Belt, Buster and Byrd accounting for 8 of the 9 hits vs Garcia and most of the runs produced. Garcia’s sub-2.00 ERA just took a big jump with only half the Giants’ regular lineup. Imagine the trouble he’d be in if the gang was all here.
Well they’re putting up a fight. To find a way to win this could really help spark then down the stretch.
Well, if they don’t get Byrd two weeks ago, they’d have had almost no pop at all…
Maxwell would be so much more useful to Kaepernick than Bochy…
OK, zum: here’s the poop on Posey
2010 BA SLG OPS
Post AS 0.283 0.472 0.812
Sept 0 .256 0.533 0.876
Post Season 0.288 0.390 0.744
2012
Post AS .385 646 1.102
Sept .371 .598 1.024
Post Season .200 .350 .644
2013
Post AS .244 .310 .643
Sept .233 .315 .671
Post Season n/a
2014
Post AS .354 .575 .978
Sept 393 .607 1.043
Post Season .246 .246 .558
2015
Post AS .312 .411 .760
Aug .276 .398 .716
You’re right, last year he was good in stretch, not much in post season. In fact, all his post seasons have been less than stellar to actually poor, and 2010 playoffs was the best for raw stats. 2013 he pretty much sucked in the Post-AS period and down the stretch. 2012, he was hot, and despite a poor post season, he did have that clutch HR off Latos in Cincy game 5, then that key HR in game 4 in Detroit. This season, he’s trending back down, has a good day going today. I’d say we’re both right, overall. 😉 But, at his pay grade, he needs to do more IMO, like 2012, his MVP year. He’s only 28, he should be in his prime…
Friggin Belt.
Only 4 for 4 today. Not good enough for $3.2M a year. Trade his ass, NOW…
Yeah. With zero home runs today!! Zero!
Damn slacker…
so it turns out resting Heston wasn’t what he needed. Maybe it’s time to go back and watch the motion he had in the no hitter game. How did he do that anyway?
Well, first thing, the Mets hitting sucked back then…
sure, but a lot of those guys are the same guys raking now and they were still major league hitters. I like what ewisco said below, maybe time off for a sinkerballer isn’t what a sinkerballer needs……
Tomlinson clearly overmatched on the fastball. After strike 1, why not try a safety squeeze there instead of flailing at a pitch he can’t hit. Byrd’s not a burner, but he’s not in a wheelchair…
This is what is killing the Giants with these injuries. Posey, Belt, Byrd and Aoki — have all the hits. Everybody else — nada. Still, they haven’t rolled over, still battling…
Alright, we’ve seen enough of Molina clubbing us. Get this dude out, or hit him, one or the other…
How many times this year have we seen a runner on third with none or one out and we cannot even get a fly ball to get the run home … How many times? HOW MANY FUCKIN TIMES ? … Too many, for a team that calls it’s self “champions” …
the first half this year it was almost a prescription: someone @ third? No runs this inning.
Kuiper, for the second day in a row I think, can’t get the inning right. Just said bottom of eighth coming up. Which would be nice but alas.
Oh joy … here comes Airhead … Why don’t we just skip him, give them the out and proceed accordingly …
I’ll say this about Heston though: a groundball/sinker ball pitcher doesn’t usually do well with rest. And you can see it by the ball being up and more fly balls. So I’ll wait and see what his next start looks like.
Good point.
Now, we need the Cubs to beat LA tonite…
Damn good point…
5 runs should be enough to win at that ballpark. Our pitching is tough to watch sometimes these days.
Alright, go Cubs. Yeah, sure….
Giants can’t go into games vs. Greinke and Kershaw with 4 AAAA guys in the LU. It’ll be brutal. Gotta get at least Crawford back in there…
really need the Cubbies to stop sucking so badly. 3.5 games out is light years ahead of 4.5 games out. We go down there tomorrow 3.5 out I feel good. 4.5…..meh. 2 out 3 is realistic. sweeping them, not so much
If Giants get out of LA 6.5 back, it could be over with all these injuries still going on, and a staff of Bum + Leake and whatever old or tired arm is available…
Leake Peavy and Bum as good as SF will likely get, so losing more ground to LA before 7 more road games in launching pads vs. Sherps and AZ wouldn’t be good. 2 out of 3 a must, seems to me.
Posey has upped BA to .317 after today. He is not going to hit 25 bombs at ATT no matter where you play him in the field. He takes the outside pitch to RF for a single and he leads team in singles by wide margin. That’s what he does; it’s too bad the recent slump coincided with the injuries, but it is understandable.
Craw and Belt have more XBHs. Missing Pence and Craw for last few behind him and Panik in front does make a difference.
I’ve been very surprised Giants offense near top of league most of the year in runs, BA, OB and OPS.
Pitching, like today, big story. Allowing 7 XBHs, right from get go, to Cards was a killer. Like Cain and the Vogs meltdowns, this type of LU just cannot afford to get that far behind. 500 at home vs. Cubs and Cards wasn’t a bad week (after the road trip especially). So hoping for better work from SPs vs. LA, and on into rest of Sept.
Re: more on Hestion, Marty Lurie noted this morning that Heston is something like at least 1.5 ERA better at NIGHT at ATT, than he is during the day…
I read some of the threads in Card70 blog (a good read, tho missing comments) during their road trip. He usually goes with a hero and a goat for each game, and Carpenter’s name came up often in latter category prior to coming to town, Peralta too.
Today he got it started and set the tone.
As was mentioned before Cards are missing significant pieces too, with Heyward just back and Holiday Grichuk Jay and Adams still out, plus of course Wainwright. If they can avoid defensive meltdowns and pen foibles that doomed them last year and Friday night, with their pitching I’d make them solid NL favs. Match up with Pirates might be the real NLCS. Both are good looking teams.
Cubs finally awoke from their deep slumber, at least in inning #1. It was like Chi rousting his lady for some rat-tat-tattling to celebrate his happiness after a Giants win. They seem awake and focused now. I wonder if she’s even been able to fall asleep since that night. lqtm….
I see that chi adopted my post all star game mantra: got hot, get in, get deep.
LOLKNBR @LOLKNBR 1m1 minute ago
“The Giants have taken all the fun out of the Guess The Attendance game at the ballpark with pretending they have this sellout every game.”
the Braves left a reliever in today named “Jake Brigham” who gave up 9 runs (8earned) in 1.2 innings. He’s 27 years old. If Jake was wondering what the future holds for him in Atlanta, well, he should stop wondering……
I would NOT, not pitch Heston in Colorado. That can’t happen. A sinkerballer in Denver does not compute, even when the guy is going well…
Huh?
There’s a reason why Huddy has never won a game in Denver. Ever. For any team his whole career. At elevation, the sinker doesn’t sink. It stays up. And, gets hit…
Schilling’s rightwing bigotry got him suspended for two weeks from ESPN. It probably fries him even more that he was replaced by a woman.
And I’m not saying she’s great. She’s not.
The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch is 30. I was just curious.
Fair to say the league is onto Pederson.
I’m just not feeling the Cubs. Bryant and Rizzo having great years OK and the kid Schwarber is off to great start. How sustainable that is in last month, idk. Giants have better mid IF, C, and would be no worse than even at 3b and CF (Blanco).
Other than Arrieta, SPs nothing special. Lester (serious over pay) hard guy to trust in playoffs. Pen seems very good at back end, less sure about set up guys like Strop.
Cubs are dead last in NL in BA, walk the most and K the most. Middle of pack for runs scored OB. Once they start seeing better pitching, my guess is walks go down and they fold vs. Pit or STL. Unlike Astros, those 2 aren’t going to another league, so Cubs seemed doomed to Sisyphean task.
totally agree.
9 more outs for Arrieta. It would make my heart sing if the Dodgers got no hit twice in 9 days…..
This chick broadcaster is beyond awful. I never thought I would say it but I actually miss Joe Morgan.
You’re being kind…
Yeah, but the alternative is Schilling.
Get a load of those tits behind the plate…
Arrieta no hitta!!!
Ho-hum, a no-hitter…
Very entertaining game in LA tonight
Montero acted like it was just another win.
I would’ve rather seen the Cubs win 2 of 3.
Yep. Every game Arrieta didn’t start btw here and LA, they lost.
Well, that Sunday night game was pretty darned cool.
Have family over, trying to do a family dinner thing. So I missed the last inning. What does that say about how our family dinners go. 1 inning. lol. It was actually the best bbq salmon I’ve ever done.I am beyond ecstatic that the Art Dealers have been no hit twice in 9 days. Makes everything better.
Well, it’s the last day of August here in the East. Not east coast east, but big East. As much as I have always loved summer, for some reason in my later years I’m often happy to see September roll around. The Giants have made it thru the dog days and are within spittin’ distance (a big hock, to be sure) of the top, and I’ve been pinning hopes upon a great September, so here we go. And what a way to start it off, with a series in LA. Ok, granted, the 1st game is still in August, but as they play it there on Monday night, it will be September here, so I’m going with that… I’ll be visiting the Bay Area from October 9th to 16th, so I’m fully counting on some meaningful games while I’m back…. 🙂
hope I finally get to meet you in person.
Yes, a Flapalooza with Paul must happen. I suggest a Red Robin. I literally like everything on their menu.
I suggest a Giants playoff game… 😉
Even if the Giants aren’t in the playoffs by then, could still meet at a sports bar to watch whoever is still playing. But really hoping it’ll be another Black/Orange October….. I’ll keep in touch about my exact days there.
the Dodgers are hilarious. What I wouldn’t give for a post-dinner breakdown from The Rooster on 2 of the last 9 games…..
The only thing stopping the Giants from a div win are these injuries, even with a rotation of Bum and Leake and not much else….
Dodger fans who haven’t been paying attention might be stunned at the Giants patchwork lineup.
And thanks for looking up the Posey info, Snarkk.
I don’t agree with all of your conclusions, though. 🙂
Posey has been great for the Giants – overall.
I just think after 2012, he hasn’t been THAT great, and his frequent needs for a blow at his age and reports bandied about the media of him being “tired” from catching duties half the time in a cool weather ballpark and his clear falloffs in post season hitting are bewildering to me. He needs to pour on the coal this September to help the team get the div win…