Pitching Rich of The Middle Class

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on July 1, 2018

With Smargerine and Cueto coming back soon, two guys gonna have to go. It’s a great problem to have. Neither vet can come back thinking they’re just sliding comfortably back into their rotation slot. If nothing else, that guarantees focus and effort. And look, none of these Fives are going anywhere. With the exception of Holland, they’re all young. And the best part: they proved they belong up here. If Smarge can’t recapture his magnificent strikeout to walk ratio the Giants aren’t going to keep running him out there every fifth day, there is too much at stake. Glory and destiny is still firmly within reach. And while we don’t have a bunch of Lincecum’s and Cain’s in their prime down on the farm we have multiple guys who can get the job done. In today’s game, I will take that….

I still don’t understand why Minnesota just cast Baby Pudge aside. Their pitching staff is painfully average and non-descript. They couldn’t use a guy like Rodriguez in the rotation? They just let him go for nothing? None of that makes a lick of sense to me unless the answer is, the Twins are just run by buffoons.

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chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 6:59 am

Great post, Flav. I agree, but I think Cueto’s slot in the rotation is all but guaranteed. Smardj will probably slide into a starter slot to begin with, but if he struggles, I think Boch and crew will revert back to one of the kids.

D-Rod was drafted as an OFer by the Twins (2012), and didn’t get serious innings as a pitcher for two years. Not sure what the issue was, but their oversight is our win. Love this kid. He was damned good last night.

Separate topic, Flav. Cards come in next…are you planning to have Daniel on to provide his spin on the Redbirds? I always enjoy those exchanges.

Giants tied with the bums (one up in the W column). Let’s make it a happy flight day, boys!
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 7:50 am

Well I think Alphabet Cereal should be “Wally PIpped” by Tats Rodriguez &Suarez both. These are 2 fresh young arms this team needs to keep adding energy to this team!!
Even Posey postgame show, likes the way they both mix their pitches, up/down,in/out keeping batters off balance which the game is all about “Adjustments”for both pitchers&hitters.
denniszu said, on July 1, 2018 at 8:56 am

A month ago it was which of the kids could get to the 5th holding a lead and still around 75 pitches. But now they are showing how much they belong. They don’t get rattled, are poised; and are blending into the chemistry that I will always feel is the secret weapon of this team…(the presence of Bum being back I think is a factor.) And I agree, as for Smandj, he’s got something to prove that he belongs, otherwise ‘bye’.

I’m getting that even year itch….I know, I know….calm down….
- chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 10:12 am
  
  I’ve got the itch, too, Dennis!
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 9:20 am

I think you have to consider workload as cautionary factor for the young guys.
Strat last year made 25 starts all season (minors included) 140 innings. He’s already at 17 starts 91 innings.
Suarez pitched 143 innings 2016 155 2017. He’s already at 93 for this year.
DRod pitched 50 innings this year in minors plus 37 for SF. Last year 143 total in minors.

I’m not defending Smrdz but he’s not going anywhere. 7 SPs isn’t how Bochy is going to roll. At risk of burning out young guys with higher ceiling I think either one goes to pen or 1 back to Sac to work every 5th days at least til someone blows up or they can make a deal.

remember too longer these guys are on ML payroll more it affect lux tax since you do get paid on DL.
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 9:59 am

Yeah I can see the workload burn out scenario WillieD, :But as Mike Singletary once famous line “I want Winners” Smarq ain’t that guy anymore..He’s a Bombs away pitcher for hitters..
Lurker John said, on July 1, 2018 at 10:23 am

If they’ll keep running Pence out there because of the money, they’re sure not going to bag on Samardzija for the same reason. They owe the guy millions, so he’ll get plenty of chance to get it together and that could be enough to knock the team off course if he continues to struggle. Another thing, take one or both of the kids out of the rotation and you risk taking them out of their rhythm. They’ve both worked themselves into a good groove, so I’d hate to see either one pulled from the rotation and sent to Sacto, just because we owe a guy millions of dollars.
- alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 11:25 am
  
  Agree LJ,
  But unfortunately Boch will always have the “Vet love syndrome “ which sucks, he’s says the right things to the media, like these 2 young guys are showing me maturity blah blah blah, but he and Sabes and the upper echelons know they have millions invested in Alphabet &Pence and chump change MIAJ and Gearrin as well, that they get longer leashes.. Freakin Gearrin nobody wants including the Giants,finally got a crumb thrown at him in the 9th, yeah I guess 7-0 was comfortable enough for mop up duty, and he actually pitched well being off so long, but he knows like Boch knows their no role for him..
- Flavor said, on July 1, 2018 at 11:30 am
  
  they don’t run Pence out there every day. He spot starts. And a SP is easy to hide with an injury. Or a phantom one. If Smarge has 2 implosion outings I guarantee they’ll DL him. This isn’t the beloved Matt Cain we’re talking about. It’s Smargerine….
  - chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 11:36 am
    
    I think you nailed it here, Flav.
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 11:35 am

1. Gorkys Hernandez (R) CF
2. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) RF
4. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
5. Nick Hundley (R) C
6. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
7. Austin Slater (R) LF
8. Joe Panik (L) 2B
9. Derek Holland (S
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 11:39 am

Not sure it has been talked about before, but have you guys seen “Giants Raw” on CSNBA? Stripped down run of the previous game, where you get the entire game in 1/2 hour. Also, on key plays they give you a couple of different angles. Pretty cool.
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 11:49 am

I didn’t see much of last night’s snake whoopin’ and just saw Belt’s dive/stab and flip to D-Rod. That is a prime example of why I am not crazy about any potential future plans where Posey gets most of the work at 1st, and Belt slides to LF (or gets traded).

Not to mention Belt’s contributions at the plate this year, coupled with a lifetime stat line of 270, .360, .455, .825, while averaging 20 bombs and 70+ RBIs.
- snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 12:04 pm
  
  That was definitely one of Belts better plays as a Giant. A nice backhand stab of the hot shot, then that half lob toss from his knees was perfectly thrown to the pitcher…
  - alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 12:17 pm
    
    Also bailed Crawford out of a error with a nice dig out at1st..
    Belt’s a GGlover That never gets his dues around the league unfortunately, don’t want him off 1st as well Chi..
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 12:51 pm

IMO Samardzxxxx since he’s here has generated little Giants capital that would keep him in the rotation if he comes back and stinks it up. Liberal use of the DL should be in the cards if that happens. I agree with a Flapper above that Suarez and Rodriguez are developing a groove, and to boot one or both now from the rotation could be bad for their development…
- chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:05 pm
  
  Agree. There has been no significant stretch of consistency from Smardj. We all agree the leash should be short when he returns. Hopefully Bochy is checking-in here and has the same spin. 😉
  
  And remember (as it should be a part of the analysis in how to shuffle the that Smardj was a reliever the first four years of his career.
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 12:53 pm

Sweep would be huge here. That would solidify a nice buffer of games above .500, a springboard to more games above .500 by winning some more series…
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:10 pm

I am hoping today’s lineup is a rythym we see going forward in regards to Slater getting more starts.
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:12 pm

And before I forget, Go Rox!
zumiee said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:15 pm

Yeah, Chi, I like the show Giants Raw. They mix in some other camera footage that wasn’t used during the game. Very cool.
- chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:21 pm
  
  Yeah, I had no idea until I recently heard it discussed on KNBR.
  - zumiee said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:28 pm
    
    I came across it accidentally. I had always assumed it was a talk show, like the one with Ratto.
  - chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:38 pm
    
    Me too, Zum.
zumiee said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:26 pm

Great camera shot of the three young starting pitchers standing with Posey at the dugout rail. Those young starters have done so much to make this season enjoyable so far.
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:38 pm

Torture? In the first inning?! WTF…

Whew…
Lurker John said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:38 pm

Fucking Holland. He should be one of the candidates to step aside when the other two return.
- chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:41 pm
  
  Fucking right on there, LJ.
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:44 pm

That’s for sure Zumie,
When we were talking about how the Giants were going with a bandage on reloading(Longo,Cutch,MIAJ) I think a lot of us were like”Who are those guys?” Rodriguez,Suarez,Hanson who have come in and shocked 😳 people on their play and fire.They make it far more enjoying for me watching them now..
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:46 pm

Panik time!!
Hitting some ropes lately!!
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:48 pm

Panda continues the feel good story.
BA .262+ overall, but .301+ hitting LHed…
- zumiee said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:52 pm
  
  Playing good defense, too. Nice job replacing Longoria.
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:50 pm

Jesus Holland, your better off going up their with no bat!!
zumiee said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:50 pm

That Holland bunt attempt. Yikes. Our pitchers are the worst at it.
- Lurker John said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:57 pm
  
  But they practice the most.
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:52 pm

Phuck Bochy, there. Seriously.
I do NOT understand Bochy, terrible move.
Holland can’t hit for crap. 1 for 27. One out, men on 1st and 3rd sacks. So, IMO, he keeps trying to bunt until he bunts or strikes out trying. If you let him hit, it obviously risks the double play.
So, Bochy let’s him take only one shot at the bunt, which he fouls, then lets him hit. Result, double play, inning over, waste of RISP…
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:54 pm

long man walking.
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:55 pm

Bochy better get ready to have the Pen going, this one could get outta hand fast…
Lurker John said, on July 1, 2018 at 1:56 pm

Holland has nothing today.
- willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:04 pm
  
  yeah either misses or meatballs. He had 2 outs and the guy hitting .180 up, whom he can’t get out today.
- alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:21 pm
  
  Yeah I say that sbout Penceand MIAJ all the time as well..
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:02 pm

Bochy, you got 13 pitchers. Get one of ’em up before this thing craters…
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:02 pm

Shot of Bochy in dugout he looks mighty pissed.
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:03 pm

Fucking Holland. As LJ said, HE is the one who needs to go to the pen, or just go (but we know the latter will not happen, as has been discussed ad nauseam here, of late).
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:04 pm

Wondering where Giants pitching ranks in NL in giving up 0-2 hits?…
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:05 pm

Sheez, I had visions of a 3-run bomb there by Goldy. That inning was rough, only 2 across feels fortunate…
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:06 pm

Middle 3, Rox 3, bumbinos 1.
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:07 pm

If Holland has one more inning like the past two, Bochy needs to pull his ass and go to the pen with Blach or Watson.
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:13 pm

Seems Hundley is due to go yard….
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:14 pm

But we’ll take the tying run, too…
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:15 pm

this guy Godley doesn’t have any idea what he’s doing either.
- chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:18 pm
  
  Blind (Holland) leading the blind (Godley)…
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:17 pm

Fuck! We cannot lose another player from our guy getting plunked…
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:18 pm

Slater!
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:18 pm

I’m digging Slater’s off field approach!
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:19 pm

Yeah line drive base hit for Slater after laying off pitch Williamson used to swing at.
the kid is going to send Pence into oblivion.
Lurker John said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:21 pm

Slater is hitting the ball hard. Let him play Bochy.
Lurker John said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:23 pm

I think that pitch caught Panda on the funny bone. You get hit that hard there and it hurts like hell, not like bumping it on a chair or something, which is bad enough.
Lurker John said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:24 pm

Here we go again. Hands of stone.
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:29 pm

That’s more like it Holland, good diving pitch made the hitter reach for and got the 2 ball!
Are reward now is watching you Leadoff next and look pathetic..
Flavor said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:29 pm

for those following along at home, Harvey was outstanding today but at 5 and 2/3 inning the rain came and then a delay and that was it for good ol’ Harv. Ouch. One out away from a QS and that happens? The baseball Gods hate Matt Harvey
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:30 pm

Can’t believe AZ leaving this guy in after Holland pull one past first, and gorks almost yanks one out.
- alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:33 pm
  
  Can’t believe I have to eat my words on Holland batting!
  Now scoring lol
  - willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:46 pm
    
    AK, saw that it was first XBH of his career. Surprise to everyone I’m sure.
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:33 pm

Honest I was surprised they let him finish last inning. Now it’s 4-2. giants gotta tee off some more til somebody wakes up AZ mgr.
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:35 pm

Seems like their manager Lovello?
Doesn’t mind having his starters get crushed..
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:37 pm

Stupid if they pitch to Crawford, which they are..
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:41 pm

Must be with the letter G about pitchers, they all give me “The Gearrin syndrome of pitching”
- willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:47 pm
  
  might see Gearrin again pretty soon.
  - chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:51 pm
    
    I hope the fuck not…🙄
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:47 pm

What is Bochy waiting for to take Holland out?
They have a 2 run lead, bring in Blach.
Is he waiting to lose the lead first?…
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:47 pm

Get Holland’s ass outta there…now!
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:50 pm

WTF ! …
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:50 pm

Go get him now, Boch!
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:50 pm

Dyson has a .540 OPS here in July and 2 hits and walk off Holland. WTF?
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:51 pm

Now Gearrin is up? Bochy is waiving the damn white flag here in a game they were up by 2 runs…
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:54 pm

i-walk Goldy? Yeah, that’s not a bad idea.
Holland — 90 pitches to get 11 outs.
Ouch…
mrsprtdude said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:56 pm

Just for Craig…Rain caused him to be pulled after 68 pitches. Mets gave up on this guy too early.
His last 3 starts (in the band box in Cinci..) .3-0 1.47 era 14/2 k:BB Opponents OPS .488
Best part is a few pitches hit 96 mph. Ave fastball Velo 94
I always liked this guy and always root for him Not sure why but I just do. It didn’t work out, but I loved it that he demanded to stay in in the WS vs being pulled.. Wanted to be the man. Too many guys shy away from it.
Cinci record since he arrived 28-21. Coincidence???
- chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:01 pm
  
  I wanted the Giants to snag his ass, SportDude…
mrsprtdude said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:57 pm

Rain caused Harvey….
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:59 pm

Belt to rescue again.
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 2:59 pm

Belt doing it again, in style! Fuck yeah!
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:01 pm

How about that Gearrin guy& Belt !!!
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:01 pm

OK with Gearrin in there to keep things moving along, which game will take longer to finish? 2 hours to complete 4 innings lol.
this one or the RedSox Yanks tonite?
- zumiee said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:03 pm
  
  That will be a toss-up.
zumiee said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:02 pm

Belt may end up being the best-fielding firstbaseman to never win a Gold Glove. Rizzo and Goldy are very popular with the media.
- snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:07 pm
  
  If Belt is w NY Yanks, they’re already giving him 4A…
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:08 pm

Panik starting to heat up !…
- zumiee said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:10 pm
  
  He’s got a good line-drive stroke going.
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:12 pm

Just can’t see how these Backs are in 1st place the way this chump manger manages!!!
This pitcher was done 2 innings ago,you knew they were gonna get more off of him but he kept his ass in there like Shelby Miller last night,
- snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:14 pm
  
  These managers do not like taking out starters before 4 frames are done. Blows the Pen schedules for the next few games…
snarkk said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:15 pm

Pence ! …
Flavor said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:15 pm

he hit that one a little harder than last Sunday’s Dribbler
- chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:18 pm
  
  lulz
willedav said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:16 pm

Gad this guy Bracho might be even slower to pitch than Gearrin. 10 arms waves later…
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:16 pm

This stupid pitcher should be a bartender, as often as he moves his arm in a stirring motion!!
Omg a Pence sighting, probably a start out of that hit now..
chipower9 said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:16 pm

Glad to have those runs, but that hit by Pence probably gives him a solid couple more months, and maybe a bit more playing time…maybe even a start or two…
zumiee said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:19 pm

Pence’s trade value will never be higher! 🙂 🙂
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:20 pm

When did this game start?? I feel we’re in the 2nd game of a doubleheader..
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:23 pm

Note to Giants management, do not I mean do not ever trade for this Bracho shakin not stirred arm dude!!
alleykat69 said, on July 1, 2018 at 3:26 pm

I’m focused on how many arm twirls this guy does..Varies from 5-10 per pitch ferchrissakes!!