Derby Day!

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on May 7, 2016

Derby Day today. So I am popping up a thread but won’t be around much. This afternoon I’ll likely be busy celebrating wildly, shaking 2 fistfulls of winning tickets high above my oversized dome.

Jon Gray going for Colorado today–followed him since they drafted him. Big kid with a big fastball. First round pick. Downside: He doesn’t get enough first-pitch strikes in and I think that will be his undoing today against a patient Giants team. Belt loves this shit, he’ll walk 25 times today……

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willedav said, on May 7, 2016 at 8:25 am

Bum really was impressive. Ump screwed him all night, even at the plate. Rox had a collection of bloop hits, Duffy messed one up at 3b that was called a hit, so was the one Craw threw in the dirt that Belt couldn’t scoop, plus Panik had an error and double clutched a potential DP. Through all this he shut the Rocks out after that 4-0 stuff and allowed his team to get the comeback W.

As to Lincecum, Angels just lost another SP as Garrett Richards has torn ligament in elbow, likely done for the year. That division wide open, as Stros off to slow start at 11-19.

James makes a good point about Belt getting pitched away and trying to use whole field. But he also hits ground balls into the shift…so if the D is playing him that way it seems weird the pitcher is throwing the ball away from his D. I do think Belt, who obviously has more power away from ATT, can figure out a way to drive more HRs at ATT, with down the line being best shot.
Craw led the team last year and I’ll have to look up exactly how that happened.
Belt did get his customary walks last night and has cut his Ks way down, while Posey had an 0-4 with a critical late K after being up 3-0 in the count.
- James said, on May 7, 2016 at 9:10 am
  
  WD, when Belt pulls the ball, he largely hits groundballs. When he goes with the away pitches, he puts them in the air. Throwing away and tempting hitters to pull is a standard issue strategy, right?
blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 8:29 am

Gray has talent, but his record doesn’t show it, e.g., no wins yet in 12 or 13 big league starts and a 7.98 ERA this season (5.53 last year). However, as Flav indicated, Giants will be handed their ass if they’re not patient. If he gets settled in, he can fan a lot of batters (11 SO against SD, 10 and 8 against LA in 2 starts).
djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 8:47 am

I used to get emotional during “My Old Kentucky Home”
Now it’s just a convenient time to take a leak…
- unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 8:55 am
  
  Maybe your childhood ended earlier than you think, DJ.
Carstie Clausen said, on May 7, 2016 at 9:00 am

Thanx for the info on Gray, Flav. Yes, he may be the type of pitcher who suffers the death of a thousand NON-cuts by the Giants hitters. Perhaps the most interesting matchups will be Panik, Duffy, Buster and particularly Belt. He may need some umping on his side, but it won’t be the one from last night. Thank goodness for umprotation.
Carstie Clausen said, on May 7, 2016 at 9:05 am

Bumgarner is one tough hombre. Granted, Craw pulled those chestnuts outta the depth of the flames to make it 4-3 Rox. Maybe he was atoning for his own gaffe and those of his fellow infielders with his big Ribeye blast. MadBum knew he was no longer in a deep pit, mostly not of his own making, and promptly started racking up those zeros. Even with the comback by the offense, many a pitcher would have folded after getting knocked around at the get-go.

Now, after the Carolina Cattleman treatment, those Colorado bombers aren’t likely to be so cocky as they were going into last night’s game ~ particularly as they are “looking forward” to Cueto and Alphabet Souperman.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 9:07 am

One thing the Giants have developed IS patience. Gray isn’t an unknown roookie type so I think we’ll be OK.
- James said, on May 7, 2016 at 9:11 am
  
  Maybe Barry is secretly coaching Hensley.
Flavor said, on May 7, 2016 at 9:26 am

Loo– I’m still betting Brody’ hard but I have to include Mohaymen on top in my pick 3’s and 4’s too. This is gonna sound like bullshit but it isn’t: I have direct, unpublished and undocumented info direct from the trainer’s mouth about that horse that, if true, will allow him to run a huge race. It’s still the Derby with all the insanity that comes along with that race but it’s a real, serious angle……
James said, on May 7, 2016 at 9:30 am

Here is the breakdown of the ump’s performance last night:

SF at bat: 8 incorrect ball(3)/strike(5) calls
Colo at bat: 11 incorrect ball(2)/strike(9) calls

As usual, the ump favored the pitchers, with SF as the bigger beneficiary, getting 9 strike calls on pitches out of the zone.
- blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 10:27 am
  
  James, which web site provided this information? This is fascinating.
  - James said, on May 7, 2016 at 12:03 pm
    
    Blade, here’s the search I used, which gives you all pitches called a ball
    
    http://tinyurl.com/hflovyg
    
    Repeat search for strikes. Unfortunately, the site’s owner “upgraded” the application recently, and you can no longer easily link to the visualizations. Probably to limit slow response times to queries, but still annoying. The graph you want is the zone profile.
- blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 1:13 pm
  
  Thank you James!
ewisco said, on May 7, 2016 at 9:45 am

huge sports day: a’s at 10, giants at 1, a’s again at 4, derby at 4ish, warriors at 5:30 and sharks to cap it off at 7. mrs wisco aware that not much getting done today. but she’s a huge sports fan so will undoubtably sit and watch it all too. Good luck to the horsey folks. i hope you pick a winner with the understanding that if you do, you’re buying at the next flapallooza.
- blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 9:59 am
  
  Thanks for the info . . . Just had breakfast with a friend and have dinner with two couples this evening at 6pm (late Cinco Mayo at Robertos rest.). I hope they have a tv.
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 12:56 pm
  
  I know…sports day in heaven! I have them all Tee’d up to record. I will be a channel surfing mofo today! Life is Good!
blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 10:08 am

Ferret’s birthday today . . . have a good one wherever you are Jean!
- djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 10:51 am
  
  I hope Ferret’s ok. She abandoned us years ago…
  - chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 12:55 pm
    
    I used to see her on FB occasionally, but have not seen her there in some time. Yeah, I miss having her around. I remember her at one of the 2010 world series games with the sign “We Score, We Win.” Subsequently used for a Flapalooza shirt, compliments of snarkk.
snarkk said, on May 7, 2016 at 11:01 am

Derby Day is an excuse to drink bourbon and watch chicks in big hats. Not a bad deal. Otherwise, watching a bunch of big dogs run around is not that interesting to me. I hit the horse stalls once in a while with older Snarkkette who rides and maintains the nags at one of the local stables. Manure producers, mainly, and they laugh at me, they know they are sucking on my wallet…
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 12:54 pm
  
  Sucking in my wallet – yep, horses are a fucking money pit. I know…my gal has one. Great animal, beautiful horse, but man, overtime you turn around you are forking out some coin. And I thought motorcycles were expensive (HD does not stand for Harley Davidson – it stands for Hundred Dollars, as that is the minimum you will drop any time you walk into a Harley shop). A friend into JEEPS told me something similar – JEEP stands for Just Empty Every Pocket. Is this true, Blade?
  - blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 1:13 pm
    
    Chi, just my take – no. Actually, I have owned 3 Jeeps (2 new and one used) and rarely have had problems with them. That being said, I didn’t do too much off road jaunts, as the new ones I bought were my main means of getting to work. Regardless, Jeep parts are inexpensive. A friend of mine owns the largest used Jeep parts company in the U.S. and if you are an off-road enthusiast, then YES, you will spend some coin for repairs/upgrades, as of course – they’ll add up cumulatively.
  - unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:27 pm
    
    Buddy of mine bought a 1996 Jeep for $9,000 and proceeded to put $12,000 into it to make it a Fordyce runner.
    
    Speaking of dirt bikes, I c=got a couple for sale. . . A 250 and a 110. Father/son sized. Unfortunately my son is taller than me now.
ewisco said, on May 7, 2016 at 12:08 pm

i wonder if they’re going to start on time. pretty drizzly here.
alleykat69 said, on May 7, 2016 at 12:25 pm

Yeah Ladies in big hats!
Some really outrageously cool on the right gal!
Some seriously butt ugly usually on the wrong gal!
Isn’t the drink of choice today at the Derby a Mint Julep??
- snarkk said, on May 7, 2016 at 8:23 pm
  
  Yep, Mint Julep is Kentucky bourbon, ice, mint muddled with sugar, mix all, get loaded…
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 12:50 pm

Giddy Up!

1. Denard Span (L) CF
2. Joe Panik (L) 2B
3. Matt Duffy (R) 3B
4. Buster Posey (R) C
5. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
6. Hunter Pence (R) RF
7. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
8. Gregor Blanco (L) LF
9. Johnny Cueto (R) P
djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 12:56 pm

Anybody else think Duffy (hot or cold) is not a #3 hitter?
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 1:05 pm
  
  I don’t have a problem with him in the 3 hole. He reminds me of a previous Giant 3rd sacker – Billy Mueller. Same build, line-drive hitter.
- blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 1:16 pm
  
  Agree with Chi . . . I like him in the 3 hole for now. If I recall correctly, he had a key knock last night. See how it goes going forward.
- djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 1:28 pm
  
  I think he should be behind Crawford, at least against righties, but I defer to our 3X WS Champ manager…
  - chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:12 pm
    
    Only for the L-R thing, Loo?
- Macdog said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:00 pm
  
  I’ve been thinking of that, too, especially seeing Pence hit No. 6 of late. The way Belt’s been getting on base (.444) maybe he should be higher in order.
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 1:03 pm

We have never faced Gray. Of the teams he has faced, the only team he has a sub-4.00 ERA against is the Padres. Three starts, 0-1, with a 1.69 ERA and a 0.813 WHIP. Ouch. He got Cained! Against all other teams, he never had a WHIP sub 1.5. He has faced the D-backs, Bums, Padres, Pirates, Mets and Mariners.

Our boys should eat this dude up.
djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 1:07 pm

I am trying my best not to type something despicable about Johnny Weir…
zumiee said, on May 7, 2016 at 1:38 pm

What a lousy trade by the Blue Jays a few years ago: Syndergaard for Dickey.
zumiee said, on May 7, 2016 at 1:50 pm

I like replay! 🙂
- zumiee said, on May 7, 2016 at 1:52 pm
  
  Cueto’s good at picking guys off. Very quick.
blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:07 pm

Not liking this at all. Giants are letting Gray get settled/comfortable.
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:15 pm
  
  I agree, Blade. The numbers (and they are limited) against Gray at the ML level are shit. We should be tattooing this guy. Typical…Giants see a young pitcher they have never seen, and they make ’em look like Cy Fucking Young. SMH…
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:13 pm

I am thinking, after learning that Loo has never been to SF, that we need to do a Go Fund Me page and get him out here for a few games. Hide the women and children…check your guns at the door.
- blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:17 pm
  
  lulz
- unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:31 pm
  
  Got the get Buzzsaw a ticket as well.
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:16 pm

The Dreadlocked Dandy’s best friend…a double play. Time to put up a crooked number.
blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:16 pm

Giants dodged one there. Inept base running by the Sherps are helping big time.
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:23 pm
  
  Well, it is the Sherpas, right…I mean I think they are a better team this year, but still…
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:23 pm

Only thing I like about this Gray kid is that he is from Oklahoma.
zumiee said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:28 pm

Dumb play by Cueto on that one. Just step on the base.
- unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:30 pm
  
  Well, do you really expect the runner is going to try and dive between your legs? I’d have kicked his helmet down the 1st base line if I was Cueto.
  
  Giants caught a break there That ball hit the bat a 2nd time. He was still in the box.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:29 pm

On the Jeep talk, buddy of mine bought a 1996 Jeep for $9,000 and proceeded to put $12,000 into it to make it a Fordyce runner.

Speaking of dirt bikes, I got a couple for sale. . . A 250 and a 110. Father/son sized. Unfortunately my son is taller than me now so the 110 isn’t quite his size anymore.
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:34 pm
  
  I grew-up on dirt bikes…haven’t ridden one in years. Too rough on this old body…but then, the next scoot I have will be a hard-tail chopper that I will build. I guess you pick your poisons.
  - unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:48 pm
    
    Yeah, my brain and heart want to ride, but my back says otherwise.
    
    Speaking of backs, just thinking of riding a hardtail brings me pain . . . Last Harley I rode was my buddy’s ’78 Sportster waay back in the day. . . .
djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:32 pm

Devisidero wins for Big Flavor!!! (Race before KYD).
Good job, Flav!
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:36 pm
  
  What time do you think the actual Derby will run, Loo? I am guessing a bit before 4?
  - djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:46 pm
    
    6:34 local time – about 48 minutes from now…
- Flavor said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:36 pm
  
  Thanks. Did u get in???
  - chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:36 pm
    
    Shake that money tree! Very cool, Flav!
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:34 pm

Whoop. Cueto dodges another jam.
Flavor said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:35 pm

Loo….Divisidero….tell me you were with me. .
- djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:44 pm
  
  I was with you in spirit. No money in my account.
  Hope you scored big.
  - unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:52 pm
    
    We can venmo you some gambling scratch. I’m sure you’ll hit it big.
  - Flavor said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:13 pm
    
    That saddens me…
  - djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:24 pm
    
    It shouldn’t. You alive in DDs?
  - Flavor said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:29 pm
    
    Yes and oaks/Derby doubles. Had a nice sum across the board on divisidero too
  - Flavor said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:35 pm
    
    The 6 horse in the race before Divisidero screwed my pick 3/4s. Still not sure how he kept going after those frxctions.
zumiee said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:36 pm

Amy G. has a slightly punk rock thing going on today. Cool.
Carstie Clausen said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:47 pm

This 7th inning could be the key in the pitchers’ duel with the Rox bringing up their big guns. Gonzales down and Arenado up.
blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:49 pm

Stop making excuses for Blanco Kuip. He muffed it.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:52 pm

Cueto’s got a very good move to 1st.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 2:53 pm

Time for the bats to come alive.
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:20 pm

I love Craw, but do you really score that a hit?

I suppose. Even if he picked it, not sure he could have thrown-out Story.
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:29 pm

Okay, time to end this fucking game! Send ’em home happy Giants!
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:33 pm

Yeah, no way Craw gets Story even if he picks it clean. End this!

Yeah, Specs!
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:36 pm
  
  Yeah, I agree.
- unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:38 pm
  
  Call me Cap’t. Obvious. I read the first line. . . . Missed the 2nd one.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:34 pm

Hit and run
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:44 pm

Nice AB Duffster….
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:45 pm

Earn your pay, Buster!
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:45 pm

Fuck!
blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:46 pm

Heartbreak . . . Damn it.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:46 pm

Slacker.
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:48 pm
  
  LMAO…just thinking about some of Lisle’s rants about Posey (and Posey deserves a lot of it). His numbers are good until it is 2 out, RISP, and then he sucks balls…
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:52 pm

Damn…that had a dislocated shoulder written all over it. Come on…gotta get out of this jam!
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:53 pm

Fuck! Guerrin looked pretty damned good last night.
ewisco said, on May 7, 2016 at 3:56 pm

Trade Posey!
bassbaldy said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:04 pm

Well … I ain’t gonna say I told ya so .. I will say … 9 times outta 10 that’s the Posey I know.

We had our chance(s).
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:06 pm

Belted! Bring him home!
djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:06 pm

Wow! Belt!
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:06 pm

Belt!!! Tie this bitch.
bassbaldy said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:07 pm

Now Belt, that’s a different story … He is having a career year so far!
bassbaldy said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:08 pm

Kelly better not fuck this up!
djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:09 pm

Strike 2 was 8 inches outside…
djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:12 pm

Smart hitting!
djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:18 pm

Good job by Kelly sending Belt home on Crawford’s hit…
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:19 pm

Oh shit…this could be tortuous. StrickNine…
zumiee said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:19 pm

Hope we get “good Strick” today.
djloo27 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:21 pm

Stay alert in the Cove…
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:24 pm

That is a HUGE play by Duffy.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:24 pm

Is there any kind of good Strichnyne?
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:28 pm

Hooooooooo.
blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:29 pm

Torture baby! Always sweat now when Strickland pitches.
bassbaldy said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:30 pm

Ok, now we need the top of the order to do their and job set it up for the heart to take us home!
bassbaldy said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:32 pm

Any news on Pagan’s situation? Are they going to DL him?
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:39 pm
  
  http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/players/playerpage/490155/angel-pagan
  - bassbaldy said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:58 pm
    
    Thanks Chi!
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:37 pm

2 out rally time! Let’s close this bitch out!
chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:40 pm

Posey is starting to seriously frost my ass! Come on dude, you need to earn those tall dollars…
blade3colorado said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:40 pm

Poooooooosey. Nooooooo 😦
ewisco said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:41 pm

Sigh
zumiee said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:47 pm

Throws 97, but gets so few swing-throughs.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:48 pm

Slacker slacker . . .

I hate the fact we sit on Pagan’s absence on the roster and don’t backfill by DLing him already.
- chipower9 said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:50 pm
  
  They must believe he will return before his DL stint would be up. The link I shared above said Bochy hopes he can return early next week. I can handle that if he is truly ready to go. Fuck, he had the hottest bat going…
  - unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:52 pm
    
    They ALWAYS believe they’ll come back before the duration.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:49 pm

Ooooooh. Don’t throw that again.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:50 pm

Fuck. That was a nice pitch.

Ooooh Noooooo! Lopez. Frying pan, meet fire. Loogy needs this.
zumiee said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:53 pm

Strickland, no Ks. He mystifies me.
- unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:54 pm
  
  Wish he could do that to hitters.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:53 pm

Sucks when your starter gooes 8.1 and you still tax the pen.
unca_chuck said, on May 7, 2016 at 4:55 pm

Niiiiiiiice.