Not Rock Bottom
Another *fun* day of baseball where we get Smarge throwing his 96 mph heater at the Pirates and them sending it right back up his ass at 115 mph. He pitched a game in Pitt a couple of years ago, it’s stuck in my mind for some reason. Gave up a lot of bombs. That was the game where I was like “man, this guy can really serve up the homers.” And he’s been serving ’em up like flapjacks at IHOP ever since.
I don’t know what to say about this road trip except that it can probably get worse. I mean, why couldn’t it?
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Even when the out of whack IHOP waiter is at his best, he’s little more than your standard innings eater.
What a wretched signing…
The Giants don’t have a position player who can put the team on his back for awhile. Buster used to be that guy but obviously not anymore…
McCutchen and Longoria used to be those kind of players too, but not anymore.
Bam Bam must be great with a corkscrew. I can’t think of any other reason they keep him at this point…
mm Meulens isn’t hitting coach it’s A Powell.
Firing the hitting coach is chump move anyway.
Guy I wondered about was Curt Young who seemed to be able to work wonders with A’s young pitchers.
Obviously he’s got lot of work here…getting lit up on road is stuff that happened way too much last year.
thx to xoot for the Hank thing about Harvey/Darwin. Giants got Darwin in that monster deal with White Sox, right? Don’t recall him fighting Bonds…do remember seeing footage of when Leyland went off on Bonds, I think it was in ST or something. pretty funny
And yeah if Harvey worked only 4 last night Wed game with Reds here would be normal rest.
Still can’t get over the Dodgers tho, who are couple games worse than the Giants. think about that for a sec.
Op isn’t Op, pen is very unreliable, they’ve lost series to Pads, AZ owns them, now the Reds (who suck) walk into Latrine and spank Maeda. Saw tweet that mentioned how many times Taylor has K’d this season, alarmingly high.
Meanwhile, Matt Harvey pitches well and the Reds beat the Dogs.
Reds/Dodgers are a national MLB Network game tonight.
Also the D-Backs/Nats are the Fox national game today.
The timing works out for a triple-header:
D-Backs game
Giants game
Dodger game
D-Backs could be Fox Sports 1 instead of the regular Fox channel.
I haven’t had the MLB package in a couple of years so I’m always looking for what other channels are carrying games.
My local Direct TV package gives me Giants and A’s games.
But the chumps don’t give me Warriors games. I get Kings games, which I watch. Direct TV wants me to buy a more expensive package to get Warriors games, and to heck with that. The basic package I already get is pretty expensive, IMO. And I’m paying for a lot of channels I don’t watch, anyway, which is everyone’s complaint.
Fortunately the Warrior games are such a national draw they are often on TBS, ESPN, and ABC.
My Direct TV package gives me the MLB Network and the NFL Network; but not the NBA or NHL networks. Go figure.
I hated that when I lived in Roseville.
Mets-Phillies is the MLB.com free game tonight, something to turn to after Mr. Flapjack gets battered again. Turns out the Phils swept 4 from the Giants in between blown saves by their closer Neris.
Only SF guy in any NL leaders stats for batting on B/R is Longo with 5th most extra base hits.
And of course zero bombs last night when 51 (!) were hit and150 runs scored even with game rained out.
The second season of Brockmire is disappointing and I’ve lost interest in it.
In season 1, Brockmire has lost his job as a major league broadcaster because of erratic behavior due to his alcoholism. He tries to rebuild his life, and gets a job broadcasting for a Single A team, a scenario that worked real well for the show, which is a comedy first and foremost. And you could kind of pull for Brockmire because he was trying to be a (slightly) better person. But in season 2, he’s fully embracing his dark side again, and I just don’t find it funny. I’ve never found drunken humor to be funny.
Not sure if there’s a worse radio show in the Bay area than vida blue and bill lasky. Absolute no nothing fools.
They’re pretty much just an “interview and yuk it up with the old dudes” show. Vida has no clue what’s going on these days, and Laskey is marginally better. They probably do this for peanuts, which is key ffor a Cumulus radio station. But, IMO anything with “Frannie” Kevin Frandsen is worse. He’s an even dumber and more irritating version of FP Santangelo…
agreed. Franny makes me miss Ratto
Funniest shit ever . . . and I have no recollection of Carlton on the Tribe.
Lefty pitched in 1986 for SF. I remember that, vaguely. I do remember he was awful, done. Stats say he pitched 6 games, 30 IP, 5.10 ERA and WHIP of 1.7. He’d fit right into this roadie…
I remember Carlton that season. It seemed like just one more mid-80s bad joke. Meanwhile, Al Rosen was behind the scenes, dealing.
I almost posted this myself. Hilarious. Moonlight Graham. LOL
It’ll be a surprise if there’s not a friggin’ Bucs homer fest against Smardzxxx. No excuses anymore that he’s in his own spring training. He’s either still hurt, or he just flat suxx. If he’s healthy, then he and Musclehead are vying for the most dumbass pitcher on the team. He keeps throwing 95 mph cookies up there crotch-high right over the dish, with neon “crush me” signs. These can’t all be “mistakes”. Apparently he’s forgotten to or can’t throw breaking balls for strikes to keep hitters off balance from sittin’ on those cookies…
Loo gotta be doing a slow burn right now, the jockeys at Belmont are considering striking today. Start of racing delayed till further notice.
Anyone ever have something like this happen after ONE date?
https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/11/us/woman-text-message-arrest-trnd/
I will NOT be ignored !!! …
Psyhco!
Let the horses run without a jockey that would be hilarious..
Last time I looked, if you’re going to strike, you do it when it’s a little inconvenient for management…
you don’t want to piss off NY racing fans. That’s a death sentence for you.
What/ how do jocks earn? 10% of winnings?
yes but then they have to pay their agent (I think that’s like 25% or so, not sure)
Watching As v Yanks her at brewpub. 6-6 slugfest in 6 th. Casilla has loaded the bases, looks ready to melt down
Casilla got out of it with a 3-2 grounder. Glad he’s not with SF…
And then two shutout innings by Petit.
Blanco’s batting lead-off again, of course.
OPS:
Blanco- .706
Hanson- .881
Maybe it’s just a little thing, but it annoys me.
It’s not a little thing. It’s the kind of S pointed out a while back in that article on BReport, I think, criticizing Bochy’s moves…
Speaking of peeves….Brenley saying “ballgame” every time instead of “game.”
I can see saying ballgame once in a while, but he does it every single time.
From Eric Stephen:
The Dodgers enter Saturday ranked 27th in the majors with 33 home runs in their 38 games. They are on pace for 141 dingers in 2018, which would be their lowest total since 2014. LA’s .386 slugging percentage ranks 25th in baseball. They haven’t had a slugging percentage that low since 2012, also the last season they missed the playoffs.
This is one season after the Dodgers set a franchise record with 221 home runs, including six players who hit at least 20.
One of those six has yet to play this season, though Justin Turner could change that shortly. He’ll begin a rehab assignment with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday night.
Another of the six won’t play again this year. Corey Seager, who combined for 48 home runs in his first two full major league seasons, had just two homers in 26 games before succumbing to a torn UCL in his right elbow.
Cody Bellinger set a Dodgers rookie record in 2017 with 39 home runs, the most ever hit by a National League first-year player. This year he has four home runs in 38 games. Last year through 38 team games Bellinger had seven home runs, and that was after spending the first three weeks in the minors.
Yasiel Puig hit 28 home runs in 2017, nine more than any other season for him. This year he has zero in 27 games, his string of 111 plate appearances without dating back to last season is the third-longest drought of his career.
Stephen goes on to note that the Reds pitcher tonight, Bailey, has allowed a lot of HRs this season.
“Bailey is 0-5 with a 5.61 ERA in eight starts this season, and since the beginning of 2015 has a 6.19 ERA while injuries have limited him to just 34 really bad starts. Cincinnati is 0-8 in his eight starts this season.”
Puig’s got 0 bombs? Ha, I didn’t know that. I try to block out all things Puig but I’m cool letting that one little golden nugget slip by
Bailey has pitched 2 no-hitters, 2012 (Pirates) and 2013 (Giants.) I kind of vaguely remember that one against the Giants.
Went to the batting cages for the first time in over a year. If the Giants aren’t going to hit, I will. 60 swings, three of which may have resulted in warning track distance launch angles. The cages aren’t yet equipped to measure exit velocity. Very primitive. Middle aged fools need to know.
I’m going to be in Pittsburgh next week, and hope to see a game there. Rain is in the forecast every day. No way I buy tix in advance.
supposed to be an incredible experience, walking over the bridge to the park. Do it if you can and the weather allows
Pittsburg reminds me of Portland from that view.
Goldy at 100 plate appearances in a row without an HR.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Rockies are leading the division in a week.
They hit the road again after this weekend. Strange splits for the Rox: 6-10 at home, 15-8 away.
Goldy needs to bring on the Rangers if/whenTimmy comes up for them…
Some of you guys might remember Jonny Venters. Him, along with Craig Kimbrel and Eric O’Flaherty were dominant relief pitchers for the Braves back in 2010 and 2011. I remember after the 7th inning – if the Braves had the lead – you could essentially forget about making a comeback against these three.
Anyway, I had no idea that Jonny Venters has had “3.5” TJ surgeries since 2012 and has returned this year after his latest TJ surgery . . . Excellent story about his comeback:
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23462326/inside-jonny-venters-emotional-comeback-35-tommy-johns-later
Nice article; thanks. Here’s hoping he has good fortune with his arm for a long long time.
I almost posted this too. Incredible story of perseverance
Ominous news.
Bochy pregame says Samardzxxx really needs to go deep in game, regardless of what happens. Pen needs a break. If he really goes with that, this is likely another Phttttt game….
In fairness to Alphabet, he is 6-4 with a 2.80 ERA in his career against Pittsburgh (unlike the Phils, where he came into that game with a truly atrocious ERA of almost 9).
He’s significantly worse than that in their park. Hoping for lots of rain today
Rain delay fun:Ok, I want everyone to admit Puig is an idiot and we wouldn’t take him for free. Right now. Go.
Not even for free? Wow. 🙂
He’ll run through a wall for you, Coach. Literally.
Agreed. Idiot. Fool. Stooge. I would take Puig if we were paid for the rest of the lineup.
meant to say wouldn’t take Puig…
he is an idiot but significant upgrade over almost every single OF and has very reasonable salary.
I can’t stand the guy but…
Notice Pads are eating $13 mil by DFA job on Headley (who sucks). Attn.: Giants FO it doesn’t matter how much a guy is paid— if he sucks and you can do without him, just do it.
he’s getting paid over $9 million this year
half of what pence makes, lol.
bottom line I’d sooner Giants play the kids, as much as possible.
now that he can’t hit a lick, I don’t see why anyone would want him
I assume Cutch would be smart enough to avoid this sort of thing if he were playing CF next to Puig, but still.
Longoria giving Amy G food preparation lessons during the delay!
I’m sort of busy waiting for the rain to stop. What did he tell her about salting the steaks?
He was recommending doing it 4 hours before cooking.
Puig’s just having a bad year – probably needs a change of scenery.
He would be an awesome sight in black & orange…
I just checked. Santander and Gentry are platooning in RF for Baltimore with about the same results as Puig.
He brings baggage. 🙂
https://cdn-s3.si.com/styles/marquee_large_2x/s3/images/GettyImages-858509264.jpg?itok=TrEq5Y-T
Anyone who doesn’t think Puig improves the Giants is a dunderhead.
Belt hasn’t homered in fuckin’ ages…
Fucking dunderheads…
Finally
Blanco is (again) blanco.
Bochy did put that fool Jackson at the bottom of the order, but forgot about Blanco.
Hitters are unimpressed with 95-97 MPH unless they are overwhelmed by it for 6 straight games.
This is the most impressive slump of Belt’s career. Not an inordinate number of Ks, a few well hit balls at people, and a lot of weak, but not too weak balls in play. Bravo, Brandon!
He looks like he’s fuckin’ sleepwalking…
But his shoulders are looking proud.
Smarg’s pitches are too high, i.e., one of them (or more) will go over the fence if he keeps doing it.
Hitters are unimpressed with 95-97, especially from Smarge.
Longoria cooked a big steak on that one.
Boom! #8 for Longo. Noticed lately how many hitters are taking first pitch meatballs for strikes. Often followed by flailing at stuff not near the strike zone.
Hanson cooks one, too!
shark back to even see how long he can stay that way.
Longo and Hanson boom boom.
Giants pitchers are so bad at bunting.
I’m gonna go on a limb and say Hanson will have better stats at the end of his SF run than Eugenio did.
When Panik is back, here are 4 probably still around:
Hanson, Blanco, Gorkys, Jackson.
One has to go; that one can’t be Hanson…
From those four, I vote for Actionless…
On the Pirate telecast Kent Tekulve, a heart transplant recipient, just referred to organ recipients as the winners and the organ donors as the losers. Of course, he didn’t mean it that way…
I just revoked my organ donor status.
Eugenio would never have taken that walk.
I noticed a bottle of Heitz cab in Longoria’s kitchen (presumably not the Grignolino) and a box wine. I can’t decide whether or not that box is more ridiculous than Affeldt’s frozen hamburgers.
Hoping that strike-out/throw-out DP is an omen that they break this damned losing streak…
If Puig didn’t cost the Giants much (bums eat most of his salary), I would roll the dice…
flapjack man makes it through 5! I’ll add, for MacDog, “without getting battered” too badly
Smarj is pathetic trying to bunt.
The Pirate pitcher successfully bunted on an 0-2 pitch.
I heard Tekulve interviewed by Idiot Vida and Tree today. He was standard good. I don’t understand heart transplants. It seems like they shouldn’t work, right? I would have been a terrible surgeon.
Smarj is good at serving up steaks to the other team.
Wheels falling off again.
this was the 2018 Giants’ version of a “quality start”
At least I am having a better steak dinner tonight than the one Amy G. endured at the Longoria’s.
I know my ahi tuna tonight kicked-ass on anything served outta that kitchen….
Tonight I had chicken and two baked potatoes, and a green salad. And some ice cream for desert.
Apple turnover (home made – local small bakery) and vanilla ice cream here. Damn, it was good!
Fucking shark….since Philly it has been pretty damned hard to watch this team…
Nice gesture on Cervelli’s part toward the ump.
I always think of the Lump when I see Belt.
Kontos should not be successful two nights in a row.
good old Kompost.
Hanson pulled something. Yikes.
Yeah, bummer.
I’m not usually a good prognosticator, but I’ll take credit for that.
Hanson limping in after scoring…hope he isn’t hurt…last thing this team needs.
Where is Jon Miller? Is doing TV for Krukow?
Dave Flemming is such a goo H. Whenever he calls a fly ball for the opposition, it’s a home run or goes over McCutchen’s head. If it’s the Giants, it gets caught or goes foul. Even the ones that drive in the tying run have a downside.
K and K before the game said he (and they) dislikes the booth at PNC because it’s way high up. So Miller bailed and is “on assignment.”
Maxim deserves some props for that PA.
Hella AB from gorks there. Jackson and Gorks, wow.
Fucking ball 4, Cutch.
Reds (who suck) ahead of Dodgers again? 5-3 I thought I saw on Buc’s scoreboard. Yikes
Reds about to come into town on a roll.
“I don’t know what to say about this road trip except that it can probably get worse. I mean, why couldn’t it?”
Yup, their best hitter can get hurt scoring the tying run in the same inning the Giants’ bullpen allows the go-ahead run.
I couldn’t even post my prediction before that lead-off double.