THE San Francisco Giants Blog

Aggressive

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on April 23, 2018

A couple of weeks ago I raged about Belt not fouling off a close pitch and instead passively leaving it up to the umpire to ring his ass up. Yesterday I gave him a knowing dude head nod for finally swinging the bat.

Screenshot 2018-04-23 at 5.50.10 AM

And even though that at bat didn’t result in a hit or a run or even moving a runner along, it was critical to the general wounding of the pitcher and their bullpen. Later in the game he continued to swing the bat and blasted one to right field outer space.

All I’ve ever wanted for Belt is for him to swing the lumber. Use the talent God gave him. His eye has talent too. He uses it to spy balls and strikes and he used it to spot that large lady he locked up low those many years ago. But those days are over. Swing the bat. Like a man.

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  1. willedav said, on April 23, 2018 at 6:59 am

    Belt said he is crummy on pitches out of the zone, and has good enough eye to know what is a strike. therefore he is better off swinging at what he perceives as a strike.

    Loo made pretty good point last night, “They’ll never get to him” re: Watson as closer. Set up guys often have to enter game in high leverage situations, runners on/good hitter up. Closer usually gets to start inning clean and with lead. Set up guys can be more important. Once FLR gets back pen could shuffle some more.

  2. willedav said, on April 23, 2018 at 7:17 am

    Thx to Xoot for that column on Bonds from Olney, fantastic read.

    Lot of guys here including Flav in his pepper thing with Daniel said Cueto was gonna be key. guy has been lights out and endless fun to watch.

  3. Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 7:41 am

    Giants need to win the first two games of this series and then deal with Sherzer on Wed when they have to.

  4. PaulinAsia Banh Bao said, on April 23, 2018 at 7:53 am

    Cueto and Belt are by far my 2 favorite Giants, so that game was fun…..

  5. alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:33 am

    I was working on my suv but had the radio on
    listening to Belt’s AB even Fleming was getting into after it kept dragging on for almost 13 minutes! He was saying Belt looked as frustrated as the pitcher but praised them both for not giving in to each other..

  6. zumiee said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:35 am

    The Phillies are a fun story so far. Interesting series this week between the D-Backs and the Phils. Kind of a test for the Phils to see where they’re at.

  7. dirtnrocksnomo said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:04 am

    Posey trying to bunt his way on late in the game isn’t a good sign but Belt’s 21 pitch at bat was pretty awesome and that double play with Crawford and Cueto was epic too. The club seems to be taking approach in the press with Belt which is nice to see. The dude has won 2 rings with the club, maybe they can at least give him the same amount of respect as annual the dumpster dive pick ups.

    Taking this series and finishing the month at .500 would be fantastic. Then the Fresh Prince comes back and 2 weeks tops for moving Strickland out of the closer role.

  8. alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:08 am

    Flannery said on the postgame show Rawlings baseballs ⚾️ go for 23 bucks a pop Belt just gave away $ 500.00 bucks worth to the fans..

  9. Irish Kevin said, on April 23, 2018 at 11:53 am

    What has happened to Strickland, he was lights out for the first two weeks and now hitters are teeing off on him. Did he give up on his new pitch or did hitters once again figure him out. If they have figured him out he needs to be gone and gone for good. He has had plenty of chances to show he can be the Man and has done very little to take control of b in the closer.

    • Irish Kevin said, on April 23, 2018 at 11:54 am

      *being*

    • zumiee said, on April 23, 2018 at 11:57 am

      I think he was just fortunate those first two weeks. I remember a few hanging sliders that batters didn’t square up.
      His stuff just isn’t that great, and he doesn’t have good control.

      • zumiee said, on April 23, 2018 at 12:12 pm

        I’m not saying he isn’t a servicable middle reliever, but he’s not really ever going to be a good closer, IMO.

  10. alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 12:13 pm

    Watson should be the closer imo nobody is squaring him up!!

    • Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 12:56 pm

      I think like Willie pointed out, he’s more valuable where he is and set up guys do more often face high leverage situations. I’d rather have him in one of those than Muscle Head.

  11. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Strickland’s problem of late has been the same old story, his inability to anything but the fastball for a strike when he needs to. The hitters don’t fear the slider, so they just sit dead red.

    FWIW, I didn’t think Belt looked frustrated at all during the long AB. He kind of looked like he was enjoying himself. And the homer was a thing of beauty. They had one dugout side replay of him connecting and he caught it perfectly out front with some serious “launch angle.” That was a serious moonshot. Must’ve been awesome live.

    • Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      Yeah, to *throw* anything. Mondays.

    • Irish Kevin said, on April 23, 2018 at 1:14 pm

      I agree the hitters do just sit dead red. The only scenario I see using him is if the Giants are up be 5 runs.

    • alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 1:42 pm

      I’m only slaying what Flem said on the radio I didn’t see the AB on TV…

  12. unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    It’s just nuts that the Belt AB took over 12 minutes.

    Strick had the element of surprise for about a week when he was simply throwing the slider somewhere near the plate. They weren’t located well, but hitters were off balance. His problem is the hitters realized he wasn’t throwing it for strikes very much, so they went right back to sitting on dead red.

    Not too many lefty closers, but hey, he’s doing well enough. And better him than Stricknyne.

  13. alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 2:57 pm

    When ever Prince of Bell air comes back healthy and throwing strikes, you can use Watson in the 9th switching roles…

  14. Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 3:36 pm

    Willy 6th tonight. Moving on up, I like it

    • Macdog said, on April 23, 2018 at 3:47 pm

      And Jackson down to 7th.

  15. Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 5:18 pm

    with a couple of defections, it looks like Instilled Regard is making it into the Derby this year. Will be huge odds and has a great shot to crack the super. Maybe more.

    • snarkk said, on April 23, 2018 at 5:26 pm

      I have no clue wtf that means, other than it involves equines… 🙂

      • Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 5:38 pm

        we’ll talk more about it as the race gets closer. If you like free money, you should bet him. 🙂

  16. Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 5:45 pm

    mike leake; 1 inning, 7 hits, 5 runs….lqtm

  17. Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 5:52 pm

    inning 2 is not getting better for our old friend Leake. Seriously, why run him out in the second if he got blasted in the first?

    • alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      When your 3-18 guess it doesn’t matter..

      • Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 6:45 pm

        He pitches for the M’s. Final line: 3.1 IP, 12 hits, 8 runs, all earned, 2 bombs allowed. Yikes.

  18. dirtnrocksnomo said, on April 23, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    Who hasn’t called for Posey to bad third? When does Bochy finally make the move? After Posey is nursing a tweaked back, his avg has cratered .80 pits and he tried to bunt for a hit the day before (possibly indicating some other ailment). F-ing Bochy man.

  19. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 6:47 pm

    I think the White Sox are playing hard for Farquhar. What a mess that is, sitting in the dugoutt and suffering an aneurysm. I really hope he comes out of it all right. Seems like a good dude.

  20. Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 6:48 pm

    I need to see this jacket that Mike Shumann swiped from that security guard. Man, was it made of diamonds or some shit? What the FUCK was this guy thinking??????

  21. xoot said, on April 23, 2018 at 6:56 pm

    I went to mlb.com to glance at the gameday stats, matchups etc., and found the big headline to be “Stanton Hits HR Number 5.” Well, I’m sure they covered Belt’s 13 minute AB yesterday.

    As to Shumann, he’s fucked.

  22. Pasalon said, on April 23, 2018 at 7:12 pm

    Metallica national anthem is a yawn.

    • Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 7:18 pm

      keen insight.

      • Pasalon said, on April 23, 2018 at 7:20 pm

        I’m in the industry.

      • Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 7:33 pm

        that’s true. I take back what I said. Hey, what’s AVID trading at today?

  23. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 7:35 pm

    A lot of empty seats.

  24. Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    • unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:44 pm

      The A’s would kill to get that kind of attendance day in day out. They couldn’t sell out giving tickets away.

  25. Flavor said, on April 23, 2018 at 7:44 pm

  26. alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:21 pm

    Shumann is totally fucked! Dub players refuse to do interviews now thinking theirs a double standard controversy going on black/white ..
    Bet Draymond wouldn’t mind kicking his ass..

    • unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:49 pm

      What does stealing the jacket have to do with race?

  27. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:30 pm

    Turner is just a freak with the foot speed.

  28. unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    Jeeebus. WTF??? Cutch has iron-gloved about 3 or 4 balls already this year. .

    • sandog said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:50 pm

      Yikes. You’ve been on him for his D for a while now and the criticism is justified.
      Longoria too. Not a great showing by the solid all star vets.

    • alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:50 pm

      Same with Longoria. I’m
      Looking at a new mitt if I’m those 2..

  29. alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:49 pm

    Nice to have 2 GGlovers
    make back to back bone head errors!!

    • djloo27 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:07 pm

      The way they field, you would think they’re actually wearing them out there…

  30. xoot said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:50 pm

    You don’t get that slicing curve action on drives to CF

    • unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:54 pm

      You don’t get $18 mill to play a game either. He’s got to make that play 100 out of 100 times.

      • xoot said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:57 pm

        So fire his asd

  31. xoot said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:52 pm

    Give it up for Stratton

  32. alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:52 pm

    Way to bounce back Stratton from your shaky teammates..

  33. unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:52 pm

    Stratton is nails.

  34. Macdog said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:53 pm

    Great 5-out inning by Stratton.

  35. unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:55 pm

    Fucking pussy. Belt that is . . .

  36. unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    Mac Mac, baby!!!

  37. Macdog said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    Big Mac!

  38. willedav said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    Hella job by strat. Miller on radio was raving about all the ground ball outs then he pitches out of jam.

    And there goes some insurance! Mac attack!
    um wally pence thumb just got worse

  39. unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 8:59 pm

    What was the angle of the dangle on that one?

  40. alleykat69 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:00 pm

    Cutch has the curse of Fred Lewis going!!
    Mac Attack!!!
    Blasted!!!
    Hey Might get to stay in the LU alittle longer unless Boch brain farts some more..

  41. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    BOOOM!!! Big Mac!

  42. unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:02 pm

    It’s the curse of right field.

  43. djloo27 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:02 pm

    • dirtnrocksnomo said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:07 pm

      Lulz (and disturbing)

      • Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:13 pm

        Exactly what I was thinking. I’ll never look at a Big Mac the same way again.

    • chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:17 pm

      Mac Attack! Brings back memories of “Little a shop of Horrors.” Feed me Seymour Feed me all night long!

  44. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    This guy is as strong a hitter the Giants have had in a long time. That was a bomb for AT&T at night with the wind blowing in. We’re going to see some huge homers from this guy this year. Remember the rocket he hit off the scoreboard a couple of years ago in AZ? That thing was 60 feet off the field of play when it hit the board. Wow.

    • xoot said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:25 pm

      MacWilly or Big MacWilly or LittleMac, or whatever his nickname is, could blast the first opposite field splash hit. In 2012, Pence looked like he might. No longer. But this guy, the right pitch, the right afternoon . . . . maybe.

  45. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    Talk about not getting cheated on a swing! His eyes were as big as saucers when he saw that fastball coming! LOL

  46. snarkk said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:08 pm

    Just rolled into a steakhouse in Phoenix. Told the bartender as he delivered my Manhattan to change the channel and find giants/ Nats if he could. He did. As soon as I started hitting that Manhattan, Mac smoked that sucker into the seats– Booom!…

  47. chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:11 pm

    I am following the game on lameday, and “step away”for two seconds at 2-1 Giants, come back and Mac has done it again! Love to see him keep this rolling throughout the entire year. Boom!

  48. chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:14 pm

    Also, was talking with some of the usual suspects at my watering hole this afternoon, and we all agree, Stratton has been amazing. Our number five ace!

    • Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:16 pm

      His command is amazing. A real Rembrandt.

  49. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:20 pm

    We need the good Dyson to show up.

  50. gianthead said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:21 pm

    Cheesy Mac!!

  51. djloo27 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    Buster doing his best Thurman Munson impression tonight…

  52. willedav said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    Jazz up by 17 end of 3. this is very cool.

    • Macdog said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:42 pm

      After the Sixers, they might’ve been the hottest team over the last couple months.

  53. chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    Nice play by Mac the Knife on cuttting that ball off…

  54. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    Both Harper’s and Weiter’s balls shows you how hard Mac hit his homer. Both those pitches were hit on the screws and went nowhere. Mac’s was about 10 rows back in a place where few homers are hit in that park.

  55. chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:41 pm

    Others have mentioned this, I believe. With the current bullpen possibilities, I think Watson should be closing. Fresh Prince is due back soon, too.

    • Macdog said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:45 pm

      It’s worked out the last two days that Watson has faced the tougher part of the order.

      • chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:52 pm

        Yep. All the more reson he should close. Strickland doesn’t exactly exude confidence…

  56. sandog said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:46 pm

    Fasten your seat belts boys…

    • Macdog said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:49 pm

      Leadoff walk, yeesh.

  57. unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:49 pm

    Oh boy. Sitting fastball. Yeah, there you go. Walk the first guy you see.

  58. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:51 pm

    This fucking guy.

  59. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:54 pm

    The Nats wreak a lot of havoc on the basepaths. 2 steals tonight, guys always taking the extra base.

  60. chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:54 pm

    Keep the ball down. Check. Throw strikes…ugh….

    Fuck!

  61. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:56 pm

    Slider and a bad one, but the dude wasn’t expecting it.

  62. unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:56 pm

    hanger

  63. chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:56 pm

    Wow. I thought for sure he was gonna walk that one…

  64. zumiee said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:57 pm

    3-2 hanging slider strikeout.
    lqtm

  65. djloo27 said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:57 pm

    Got him on a hanger…

  66. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:59 pm

    That might be the best slider he’s thrown this year.

  67. unca_chuck said, on April 23, 2018 at 9:59 pm

    Huh. Couple good sliders to the last guy.

  68. chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 10:00 pm

    Boom!

    Torture 2018…

  69. willedav said, on April 23, 2018 at 10:00 pm

    well earned W for Strat

    btw Giants now have better record than Nats do.

  70. Lurker John said, on April 23, 2018 at 10:01 pm

    We’ll take it. Another stellar start from the burgeoning Stratton. Mac with the bomb. Muscle Head nails it down.

    • zumiee said, on April 23, 2018 at 10:04 pm

  71. snarkk said, on April 23, 2018 at 10:01 pm

    Finally found the damn slider !!…

  72. djloo27 said, on April 23, 2018 at 10:03 pm

    10 wins in April! I had ’em at 9…

  73. chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 10:06 pm

    Just went back and watched Mac’s HR. Holy shit! What a fucking shot!

    And caught the last two outs, top of the 6th. Great work by Stratton to work out of that 2nd/3rd one out jam.

    Nice win! Keep it rolling!

  74. djloo27 said, on April 23, 2018 at 10:09 pm

    Every 5th day…

    • chipower9 said, on April 23, 2018 at 10:17 pm

      Yep!

  75. willedav said, on April 23, 2018 at 10:21 pm

    Belt walk and a double
    .290/.392/.581/.973.
    Only player with better numbers in yard tonite is Harper


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