Ranking The Studs
Brandon Crawford is hitting .338 this season. Let that sink in. Last night I listed off the four most important factors to the team’s success this year (Belt, Craw, bullpen, Holland) and I’m open to that list getting revised. Does Stratton and his 7 wins have to be included in there somewhere, maybe in front of Holland? And how can you not include Strickland? He hasn’t blown a save since April 18th! Now, he’s had some shaky appearances for sure. But is there anything more deflating than a blown save? And is there any love for Gorks or Hundley?
I’m still sticking to Belt and Craw at the top, without their offense we’d be in ruins. And the bullpen stands out for me, too.
So if you had to do it, with a gun to your head, who would be your #4?
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An outside factor is no other teams running away with the division.
I posted this at the end of the last thread:
“Shohei Ohtani’s rookie season is likely over, and he may not be able to return to MLB until 2020.
ESPN’s Pedro Gomez reported on SportsCenter early Monday morning that the Angels pitcher will need Tommy John surgery, which means he’d definitely be out all of 2018. Gomez also added 2019 is likely out of the question, too, as “the earliest we might see him, should he have Tommy John surgery, would be the 2020 season.”
good lord, what will become of the Ohtani Tracker at espn??????
Holland has been much better than Strat, who had that long stretch of suckitude after the kid arrived. He just can’t get out of the 5th inning or so without leaving a mess to be cleaned up by the pen. And when the pen can’t stop inherited runs from scoring it shows up on his ERA.
Strick is In there but Watson has been more impressive to me, esp as non-loogy who gets RHs out too.
Zum’s point, a bit outside the Giants control, is well taken tho. Going in LA was clear favorite. AZ got off to great start and then were awful for almost 3 weeks. Entire NL has been like that so far with 10 teams spread out over the 3 divisions within 3 games of first. Brewers and Braves still division leaders.
Dirt said this few days ago in response to one of Yogi’s salvos, a W isn’t true measure for evaluating a guy’s success or fail. Only so many things a pitcher can control; what the hitters on his team do far outside it.
Funny couple weeks ago we were talking about Spahn-Marichal duel where Spahn got the L for all his work…despite having the only XBH his team got in 15 innings.
True, there are only so many things a pitcher can control. They presumably can control whether or not they allow the go-ahead run to reach base.
Innings pitched are outs recorded. Spahn and Marichal gave them their money’s worth.
Spahn’s legacy, as well as every other Hall of Fame pitcher’s from his era is all about the wins. First, Spahn helped us win a war. Because he was not only a great pitcher, he helped his team’s win with both his glove and bat, Seriously doubt you’d find a professional starting pitcher who doesn’t care if he wins the game.
I am good with the top four Flav. If there is ONLY four, then Strickland, Stratton, Gorks, and Hundley get big honorable mentions.
Who is the odds-on favorite to win the coveted Willie Mac award? Hundley won it last year. Craw split the award with Javier Lopez in ‘16.
seems to me with Craw coming back from last year’s tough personal stuff to be hitting .338 makes him an obvious contender.
I agree. Only caveat is there is a whole lotta ball left to be played. But the dude is having one helluva a season, especially after the slow start. Twin would have been saying “I told ya so.”
Twin was never a craw believer. He consistently said (when he first came up) that he wouldn’t hit enough to stay
Yep. I remember that. It was a point on which Twin and I always disagreed (and certainly not the only one, either).
I feel like a win is still an important stat especially because pitchers nowadays have less time in which to take the lead. Since they are gone by the 5th or 6th inning they better have the lead by then or it’s an L or another no decision.
In baseball, there are only four factors of any relevance: pitching, hitting, fielding, and mojo.
1) First, yes Stratton’s seven wins are huge. He’s got a .700 winning percentage for a team that’s one game over .500. Last year, a .500 WP for a team that lost 98 games.
If Jr-Rod is as good as I think he will be, the rotation plus bullpen might be the strongest in the NL West.
2) I just hope Belt is able to regain his groove.
3) Because I mostly listen to the games rather than watch, the fielding lapses are insufferable, especially when the bad news is relayed to me by an insouciant play-by-play announcer. Longoria, McCutchen, Jackson have been disappointing on defense.
4) I like this team a lot. It would be great if for just one month, they were all healthy and playing well.
something I’ve noticed about the radio guys that you don’t get from tv. The radio guys (especially Flem but also MIller) spend a lot of time harping on the same shit. Like if a pitcher is off they comment on it every single pitch he throws. It’s weird how the obsess on it. Anyone else notice this?
They do have a lot of dead air time to fill. 🙂
this is so funny. Oakland, man. This is 880 in broad daylight, probably the busiest freeway in the bay area.
The Town
Well Twin never believed in a players development.You first come up like most players you struggle, it takes a few years to know the pitching before you dialed it up..
This is video of the Cavs bench during the entire timeout in Game 1 between the end of regulation and the start of the overtime period.
LeBron has almost no interaction with the team other than to yell out a question to the headcoach about whether they had a timeout left at the end of regulation. When he finds out yes, he buries his head.
In fact, the headcoach says little to the team.
Nothing in the video shows LeBron or the headcoach to be a team leader during that timeout. Smith is left to twist in the wind.
I know it’s only one camera angle, but the team looks no way ready to play the overtime period.
https://mobile.twitter.com/RohanNadkarni/status/1003493390175129600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fnba%2Fnews%2Fthe-uncut-footage-of-the-cavaliers-bench-after-j-r-smiths-gaffe-in-game-1-is-heartbreaking%2F
yeah, saw it, that was awful. Not a single word exchanged. And now we are supposed to believe he has a broken hand? lol. His hand is not broken.
I can totally see why Kyrie Irving said “I got a championship, and now I’m getting outta there.”
It can’t be much fun playing with LeBron.
A true team leader would have spent the whole timeout trying to pump up Smith.
Smith made a big gaffe, but he’s your teammate! That needs to mean something right in that moment.
Sure, express anger to Smith right at the end of regulation, but when they get to the bench, it needs to be all about getting pumped up for the overtime, and that never happens.
I can’t deny Lebron’s talent but he’s a shit teammate and just not someone guys want to play for.
Sandoval has performed better than expected too. The club’s smoke and mirrors outfield has been interesting.
I have always felt that the success of the Giants depended on the chemistry and oneness apparent in the dugout. Historically that gleems true winning 3 in 5 while being severe underdogs. That rallying cry made them larger and believing in themselves. To that feeling, there was no surprise in 2018 as they dragged themselves no better than in May 4 or 5 games below .500. Even as I walked out in the 8th inning of the last Philly/ Giants game while the slaughter of. 11 to 3 loss loomed, my hope still was that when Panik, Bum, Mac and, if, I may,Pence returned there would be a return of the needed leadership and chemistry to make this team believe in themselves. John Smoltz said it best recently that the team has weathered the storm.
To me, even while we await Cueto and Belts’ return soon, the team is believing in themselves and it was shown in the last 2 series.
Here’s hoping there is some continued truth in that inanimate player…. chemistry….
I am not a big Ohtani follower, and had seen the report that Zumie shared earlier.
Here is the latest from the Angel’s GM, who says reports of Ohtani definitely needing TJ surgery are premature.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/angels-gm-refutes-report-ohtani-needs-tommy-john-surgery/ar-AAyvj52
My 4 would be the bench players 100 times better then last years garbage.. Your getting production from Hundley,Gorks when he sits,Definitely the secret weapon Hanson, and Panda being diversified to play multiple positions and the emergency catcher as well..
Dirt mentioned Pablo, and definitely warrants a shout-out, as does Hanson…even with the small sample size to date (for this year).
Interesting take on yardbarker about Bob Baffert’s other horse Restoring Hope rather he was running as a bodyguard for Justify on the inside never attempting to pass him but helping block other horses to do so..
yes. And couple that bullshit with the fact that Castellano refused to follow Pletcher’s direct order to gun Noble Indy to the front (to soften Justify up for his other horse in the race) and I am pretty pissed off at how this year’s Belmont unfolded…..
On this date last year, the Giants were 13 games under .500, and 15, count’em, 15 games out of first place.
This team is light years better than that POS team. The only suspense last year was would they become only the 2nd Giants team in franchise history to lose 100 in a season…
I really do not give much thought to the All Star game, but early results show Craw and Posey leading in votes at their positions. Belt is 3rd among NL 1st slackers, and Panik is in the top five.
Yeah, Belt, that slacker. 🙂 🙂
FanGraphs has a new list today of the top 131 prospects. (131?)
Bart is already at 57. Ramos is at 89.
A staggering amount of the prospects are in the Braves organization.
https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-updated-top-131-prospect-rankings/
Damn. San Diego with three RH pitchers at 53, 54, and 55….
I have Craw, Belt, pen and bench. With a nod to the SPs. They may be the 5 fives but they have done much much better than they have any right to be doing. Maybe two of these current starters were booked to be in the rotation when this team was assembled. The bench last year was 000 and his band of 0s. Craw and Longo were awful, but have gone off, esp Craw.
And of course a nod to Pabilto, Gorkys (the surprise o the season), and Posey has to get some credit for the Sp and pen success.
1. Gorkys Hernandez (R) CF
2. Buster Posey (R) 1B
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) RF
4. Evan Longoria (R) 3B
5. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
6. Nick Hundley (R) C
7. Mac Williamson (R) LF
8. Alen Hanson (S) 2B
9. Madison Bumgarner (R) P
Thank goodness no Actionless, today.
You guys think Kobe and Jordan were better teammates than LeBron??? No fucking way. I don’t watch much NBA anymore, but I know enough that he is a better teammate than either of those tools.
Congrats to The Fucking Warriors. Took advantage of a great break having Paul go down and just have way too much talent for the Cavs. I’m curious if they ever would have won another title without Durant. I think not.
Can’t wait for the Doncic era to begin in SacTown.
Warriors were also without Iguodala. Sure, he isn’t the starting PG, but many underestimate what he brings to the dance. With a healthy Iguodala, that Houston series would not have been as close as it was, IMO. Sac will need more than one high (and one that produces) draft pick to get outta the dregs of the NBA cellar.
Unless the Suns grab him #1
Sour grapes, my friend. The Warriors built their team the right way. They didn’t do it like the Yqnks and Dogs always try. They built it thru the draft and through solid acquisitions. None of them have the ego and ‘look-at-me-itids’ that Bron Bron suffers from. None of them flop and whine like James. None of them ignore their coaches and teammates. None of them make up a fake injury post-loss. Bron is a shit teammate. He;s doesn’t make the team around him better. He makes him better at the cost of others.
Green is a super-ref harasser and he bitches, but at least he’s angry about it. not whiny. It’s the same reason I get so sick of James Harden. His game is built around cheap fouls and flopping.
Speaking of dumbshit comments from yesterday :Ahmed Farred(sp?) said Yeah Crawford deserves consideration for a Allstar start not sure about AL..
As Shawn Estes shoots back at him, yeah it would be impossible really since he plays only in the NL!!
Thought this was pretty good.
Just looking at team stats, NL, and here’s where our boys rack-and-stack:
BA – 1sr
OBP – 4th
SLG – 4th
OPS – 3rd
They also lead th NL in errors. Need to tighten that shit up…
Apologies if this has been shared:
Cueto threw a 40 pitch BP session today and said “he felt great after cutting loose” during his Monday session. He’ll throw another bullpen session this week, and face live hitters while the team is in LaLa Land. If he continues to progress, he could begin a rehab assignment next week that would entail two starts.
Smardj also had a BP session and said it was the best he has felt all year. He could begin a two start rehab assignment on Thursday or a Friday.
So when those 2 return, Pudge junior and Suarez probably go. When Belt is ready they’ll have to dump an outfielder. That should be interesting…
can he come off the 60 day DL early?
Cueto is eligible to come off the DL on June 30th…
the last game both Paul and Iggy played together the Warriors blew out the Rockets by 40 points and took a 2-1 lead. This false narrative that Houston would have won just because Paul had continued to play is just a made up fantasy.
Longo taking care of business…..
it’s nice to see this idiot getting reduced to fighting minions in loser ball
https://deadspin.com/mat-latos-sparked-a-wild-can-am-league-brawl-1826725896
He looks like a younger Nick Nolte, acts like him too.. Though 48Hrs is one hellava good movie.
I think LeBron said he injured his hand after game 1, not between the end of the 4th quarter and OT. Supposedly punched a white board or something.
Wow, I thought there was no way the Giants would win that review.
Mac the Out.
He could very well be the one to go when Belt returns…
Hanson needs to learn there, 2-0 pitch, bases loaded, key on a pitch in a good area, and take a borderline pitch. He swung at a ball that was probably a strike, but it was on the low and outside corner of the strikezone.
I’m afraid the Kings and the rest of the Pacific Division are going to have to suffer quite a few more beat-downs from The Fucking Warriors before things change. Way too much talent for have-nots like Sacramento to deal with.
Post-concussion Mac looks an awful lot like 2017 Mac.
On the AM/PM Toomgis commercial, is the woman mouthing the words to Toomgis “You should hit that” about the other woman? Pretty daring thing to have in a mainstream TV commercial.
The fact the Toomgis killed a guy in Fairfield should play in to that.
Seems like a lot of 1-0 counts from Bum.
I’m not sure why Bum was left in after the 4-pitch walk to the lefty.
Bochy is addicted to leaving pitchers in too long.
It’s a self-defeating thing for Bum to get on umps like that.
Saved by another case of terrible baserunning in the major leagues.
Instead of barking at the ump, Bumgarner should jog into the locker room and take a long look in the mirror. He was not sharp tonight, at all. This is all on him, and Bochy’s inability to pull a pitcher when he should.
Brinson jackknifes out of the way of every pitch anywhere near the inner half of the plate, so it’s safe to say he does not like being pitched inside. He’s very dramatic. One of the G’s pitchers should put one under his chin next time, see what his flip looks like.
Where’s Sal the Barber when you need him?
Cutch and Longo can be frustrating, but they are experienced professional batters, and they have improved the Giants this season.
I’m not saying either should crack BF’s top 4.
absolutely they have. But they don’t crack my top 4. Hopefully as the Summer slogs on one of them will
Mac the 0-fer.
Oaf regression
Unbelievable.
Miami 23-42 coming in.
Such is the life of a .500 team, getting beat by dreck like this.
Yeah, it’s like a strong magnetic pull back to .500.
The Giants pitching staff is determined to cough up this game. Hard to overcome that.
That’s just bullshit. I leave the brewery Giants up 2, Bum coming in for the 6th. Get home and see them cough-up a fucking 3-spot after two outs. Against this fucking team!?
RE: LJ’s 5:53. That is why Mac is the short man out when Belt gets activated. Plus, he has an option left….
this has been an incredibly frustrating game.
Ah, didn’t see Loo’s comment on options when Belt returns. Bright minds think alike…
What is more frustrating than laying a turd against this team, is doing it after going into DC and taking two, against their top 2 hurlers, when the Nats had been one of the hottest teams going…
Fuck….
Oh, and of course…now we get fucking Gearrin. Just shoot me, aleady….
We were commenting on that at the brewery…Miami is an embarrassment to MLB…
I know what you were actually implying, but I’ll spell it out – the city of Miami is not an embarrassment, but Derek Jeter and the rest of the ownership group is. Oh, and the Commissioner of MLB is also an embarrassment for not lifting a finger to stop the “firesale.”
I would be hard pressed to attend games here, unless I was going to see the other team.
Pfffttt…
Yeah, I think the fans are staying away to take a stand against Jeter’s tactics. They were none to happy about the moves he made.
think about how many runs this guy would save playing defense. He could hit .200 and still be valuable.
The question would be how many of his ABs could you stand to watch if he really was only a .200 hitter.
for example: Counting today Mac is 5 for his last 25,an even .200. Every post is about how much he sucks. Watching anyone make outs that often gets old really fast.
Mac the suck. Bring up Duggar now.