Panda Power
Nice to see Diggity’s mea culpa on The Panda last night. More should follow his lead. Where would we be without The Panda or Hundley? Pence blasted that triple at the exact moment I was predicting a strikeout so that was mildly irritating. Got our hands full with their lefty today but I have a good feeling about tonight so let’s go.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
hilarious, thx. Holland looks pretty fit for a pitcher.
Rick Reuschel fit.
That Hanson score from 1b was crazy. If the guy can improve his glove working with Wotus, the guy will be a regular, valuable energy jolt…
Yeah, Pablo, coming up huge this season, and not in the *huge* way maybe some people thought he would. And plays like Hanson, haven’t seen something like that since Pagan’s insidetheparker a handful of years ago. That was fun to watch, Hanson’s stellar trip around the bases and I’d say it’s well worth the occasional goof up the guy might do now and then in the field. Giant’s got their Billy Ham. Also… someone here mentioned it recently, I think, about them seeming like an into-it team, pulling for each other, despite or maybe even because of all the injuries etc… stats can’t measure that, but it seems to be a factor to them still being… in it….
So Buster has a hip bad enough for a cortisone shot. As usual, Giants acting like everybody knew this situation all along. Why not DL the guy for additional 10 days. That’s what they have the 10!day for. Hundley can do it, and Briwn up to back up…
Yeah, funny how Posey’s degenerating hip is all of a sudden just a known and accepted fact in bay area sports media. wtf?
Great win last night. Pence is barely hanging on but that triple last night goes a long way with Bochy. He’s here for the duration so…whatever. What’s up with d’Arnaud? Does he suck balls or just like salty nutz? I guess he offers more flexibility in the field but I’m sort of surprised he was called up over Gomez who I bet at least puts the ball in play in that same scenario last night.
Hanson’s speed is impressive and as they say, speed never slumps or goes on the DL. Unlike Panik. The two are putting up pretty similar numbers with Hansen scoring more runs, better SLG and OPS in less abs.
Can’t find our record vs LHP but I know it sucks.
Hanson is at .158 vs LHP and Pablito isn’t much right handed as well. Longo’s absence hurts. Never thought I’d say it but I hope we get Gorkys back.
D’Arnaud has payed on like 8 teams in 5 years so I don;t think he;s anything remotely special. Specs should regain his role as super sub.
At the tail end of last night’s thread, Snarkk mentioned Cueto’s start being pushed and Holland starting tonight. I see no traffic on that, and the MLB schedule still lists Cueto. Does anyone have details? A couple of google searches this morning didn’t provide anything outside of a story on Cueto’s last start.
If true, will be interesting to know WTF is happening. Did they bring him back too soon, and are just being cautious, or is this a true concern for going forward? Inquiring Flapper minds must know…
Hanson’s 1st to 3rd a few weeks back in 11seconds only Gordon&Hamilton faster, though I think this kid could beat them.
Duggar,Hanson&Slater are what this team needs out there to energize this LU..
Cueto is still listed as the starter for tonight.
yahoo sports floated McChron story by B Murph that according to well placed source, Sunday deal just the start and almost everyone is on the table. then in second half of story he breaks down stuff and it seems to fall apart. who wants Cutch (rental) Smrdz Belt (likely unavailable) Longo (still hurt) yada yada. Endless chatter about bum to Yanks.
One of bloggers asked about availability of Mets CF B Nimmo. Thoughts?
I think it was Loo the other day who said if the Giants trade Cutch that would be the Giants giving up on the season. I agree with that.
In course of reading book about Satchel Paige playing in the DR late ’30s, Luis Tiant (father I guess) name comes up as a player from Cuba playing for one of the DR teams.
Trivia queston: Anyone know Felipe Alou’s real last name, which obviously isn’t Alou but does adorn of the fields at his Academy in DR. Hint: one of his relatives used real last name when he pitched in ML ’90s.
I have no idea. 🙂
Rojas?
Hard to imagine Mets giving up Nimmo. He’s one of their few bright spots in a miserable season and he is under control for several years. If you want to really get crazy, im sure they’d love to ditch Cespedes and would probably pay a good chunk of his deal to do so. He has a no trade clause, but maybe would give it up to come back to the bay and play for an almost-contender?
I think Baggs tweeted about Holland subbing for Cueto, so I think that is solid. I hope its wrong, cuz im gonna be there and was looking forawrd to watching JC, but I think The Dutch Oven is gonna get the first 9 or 10 outs for us tonite.
Ah, thx. Funny, one guy asked what SF would get in return for Panik and answer was “about same as guys SF gave up to Texas.”
Hey couple OTOH things about Vegas summer league: no piped in music, and no whining from the young would be players either.
For me personally, Pablo (and Bochy) saved the season when he pitched against the Dodgers. It’s entertainment folks, that’s all we’re paying for. Well that and the cable, the parking, the $15 beers. Speaking of concessions sales, AT&T vendors took a big hit when Gearrin got traded.
I listened to that game on the radio, just watched his appearance in its entirety for the first time. He’s got decent stuff and control, wish everyone pitched at that pace.
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/video/pablo-sandoval-pitches-perfect-1-2-3-ninth-inning-vs-dodgers
The East coast media is already howling about the Yankees or Red Sox playing the one-game Wild Card play-off.
If one of them loses the Wild Card game, look for changes in the playoff format. Even if they win the game, there could be changes.
The A’s are 17-4 in their last 21. The Giants need a streak like that.
While I am overall disappointed in Cutch, I am not into a firesale, or any tear it down moves (big trades). I would rather see them go get maybe another bullpen arm, and see where this season goes.
I truly think the West is going down to the sore this year, and think the Giants will be in the thick of it.
. Saw some stats re: 2010 that said at break giants were 41-40 and at one point in July got as far back as 6.5 games out.
This is from an NBCBA article on Hanson’s tear around the bases last night:
“Bochy was already doing the math, knowing something most of the rest in attendance did not. Derek Holland is likely starting on Tuesday to give Johnny Cueto an extra day of rest, so the bullpen was short.”
I didn’t want Sando back at 3b either off what I saw last year. Breath of fresh air and capable back up.
guys I wanted giants to look into 3b: Z Cozart, out for year after shoulder surgery hitting.219 for Angels. Also T. Frazier, back on DL for Mets. Batting .217 this year with .685 OPS.
Both of these guys way more expensive and tons worse than what Sando has done for SF. worse than Longo too.
Shit, the A’s could win 90+ games and miss the playoffs. And yeah, I think everyone around here was pretty lukewarm to tepid re: Panda. This is his comfort zone, I suppose. Some guys just aren’t cut out for the pressure cooker that the east coast is.
Posey suddenly turned from being dinged up or ” not right” into what sounds like a possible chronic hip. No wonder they picked Joey Bart #1. What so they do w Posey? If he continues to catch, that can’t be good for a hop problem. He can’t turn his hips, so he’s now a singles and doubles guy. Move him to first, you lose a gold glove and power guy Belt and move him to LF or trade. Conundrum …
It will be an interesting decision around the Belt/Posey move. Belt is clearly the better hitter at this point and superior 1st baseman. Unless I am mistaken he’s been wearing some sort of knee brace and has taken off days to rest whatever is going on there. Having his brain rattle around as he patrols LF and navigates the bullpen mounds is a concussion waiting to happen.
Before the season I was down with Sandoval as back up for 1st and 3rd and he’s been great. I also thought that one of the concussion boyz would have to go. Hard to see them trading Belt but his value is as high as its been in a while.Too bad Panik has sucked so bad otherwise I’d suggest him. He’s still controllable though so maybe there’s still value there. If the club can’t get some separation from .500 between now and the trade deadline I’d try and move McCutchen, Dyson and maybe Watson.
I can see dumping Cutch&Dyson but not Watson. Smith&Watson =Affeldt&Lopez lefties that just no how do get hitters out!!You need experience pros like them in this BP…
Agree re: Watson. I’d prefer that they keep him but teams will be chasing him for sure and there may be more value in return for him that the other two.
Bullpen is our strength. leave it alone imo. Sadly the top tier starters are what is holding us back. Top 3 have been injured but also have pitched a fair number of games. Bum JC, Shark have 22 starts between them and only 6 wins. If they were one guy, say a number 2 starter on average, that’s only 9.6 wins in a 35 start season. Not near good enough for a number 2 starter on a playoff caliber team.
Real Madrid transferred Ronaldo to Jueventes today. A star late in his prime years. The age old question..Do you sign an guy who has been great, knowing you likely won’t get your moneys worth on the back end? I hope the Giants see this and listen to offers for Mad Bum.
I love the guy but our teams history of signing late prime guys to long term deals is awful. Zito Cain, Timmy (2 year $48M) Cueto, Samarja. In fact..have we EVER signed a free agent starting pitcher to a deal that worked?
Jason Schmidt?
Vogelsong is all I got and that was for chump change…
As a historical precedent to nothing, the going nowhere Giants released the popular Kirk Rueter (earning $7 million) in August of 2005 (his 9th season with the team)…
Well, we’ve seen over the years that the Giants beat-writers don’t push very hard on things. I can’t remember a single video clip of things getting tense at any kind of pregame or postgame interview.
A few times beat-writers got flack for posting about clubhouse incidents. Even then, the stories weren’t followed up very aggressively. Things are just more laid-back out west, for good and bad.
Sorry, Sandog:
That might not be a bad thing,
Yeah, they need to limit his innings anyway.
SanD – sorry you miss Johnny C tonight. Have fun and bring us a win,.
You may have noticed Belt has a Weezer song as his walk-up music. The band knows that, and they’ve joined in, using their band Twitter page, on asking people to vote for Belt.
True confession: it’s been years since I did any All-Star voting. I used to do it, but I got tired of it. I barely even watch the game anymore.
Pence’s triple buys him another start…
1. Gorkys Hernandez (R) CF
2. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) RF
4. Nick Hundley (R) C
5. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
6. Hunter Pence (R) LF
7. Chase d’Arnaud (R) 2B
8. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
9. Derek Holland (S) P
Slater is officially buried on the bench.
Duggar gets to keep him company tonight.
And Hanson.
Hanson might’ve hurt his hand on his crash landing…
Damn sometimes Bochy is a moron. How can Slater and Duggar not play? I wonder sometimes if Sabean throws together a string of fuck yous sometimes (like we do) when he sees the lineups…
It’s what got Bochy fired from the Padres. They got frustrated with it, even with some of the success he had with the Padres.
It’s just part of Bochy’s make-up. If a rookie has an 0-fer or two, he’s going to the bench for a while.
Sabean TRADED Molina to make sure Bochy stuck with Posey.
@ Dirt..Thx for Schmidt. He is the ONE guy…Still bad odds..
Except Schmidt was acquired in a trade – c’mon, you know that…
I was going to say….
Yeah, I heard Belt’s Weezer walk-up music at a game a couple weeks ago. Love it.
Last thought for now… Way too early, but Bart just hit his 4th homer in 5 professional games. So far so good. Athletic story about Posey says he is one of only catchers in MLB history to reach 850 games caught with AVE over .300. Other 3 are HOF’s. Nice.
Bart gets this year in minors, up midway through next year. Posey’s back up for 2019. 2010 Posey goes to 1st. You read it here 1st…
And I don’t mind Belt in leftfield for a couple of years. Belt would still get starts at firstbase when Posey is the DH in the AL park, or has a day off. And Posey could still catch the occasional game. Belt is Gold Glove level at firstbase, but Posey has gotten good at firstbase.
Duggar and Slater also in the outfield. Gorkys the outfield super-sub. Maybe Mac on the roster, too. Pence moving on to the next chapter in his life.
If Posey needs hip replacement, his career is over…
I don’t think so. I know people up who have had both replaced and they lead very active lives (run, play tennis, etc.).
Actually SportDude I read it first in a local sports article within the past week or so. 😉 I cannot recall, but the article may have said Posey could begin getting a majority of the time at 1B beginning next year.
Slater and Duggar are the most promising outfield prospects in many years. I hope they don’t just get jerked around.
They already are with Bochy’s asinine LU tonight! This team needs “SPEED” in the LU not “PEPERATION H..
I wish Preparation H (among other products) would get naming rights to a major stadium or arena.
Think of the possibilities…
Pretty optimistic there, Zum.
Slater & Duggar haven’t convinced me of anything, yet…
Yes, we got Schmidt in a trade, but he was a rental that season. He signed with after he became a FA so he still fits the criteria.
Just looked it up – you and Dirt are right.
Smart asses…
Why move Belt off first for a guy that’s gonna go 9/52/.280?
He’s got big money left on his contract. That’s always enough reason for the Giants.
But, also, there’s the theory that Posey would hit better if not getting beat up at catcher.
With hip surgery he may get his power stroke back.
It is a dubious theory. Buster has a lot more PAs against lefties while playing 1B. Sorry to post this sterile fact again.
Wow, Reds have scored 7 in the top of the 9th off Indians’ bullpen to ruin a gem by Bauer, who struck out 12 and allowed 3 hits in 8 shutout innings.
Yeah, Cleveland needs major bullpen help.
Agree Loo sort of.
The problem is Posey&Crawford are the only untouchable pieces. Posey will be forced to play 1st due to his hip won’t be able to take the the daily pounding, which is happening now. Posey still won’t be 32 until next ST, so he still has atleast 3 years left of good production, which should be at 1st base.Belt’s definitely the better Glove their, and he’s locked in too with his contract, but young enough to play a decent not overwhelming LF(A upgrade over Pat the Bat) if that means Jack.I think the Giants are banking on the “BART EXPRESS TRAIN” to make this transition easier, but it’s a big gamble, to rush him to quickly..
Also about Bumgarner.. Untouchable are not, you know if the freakin Yanks get him, he would have to be clean shaven, that would be like having him castarated,just don’t see him going there..
Bum to the Yanks ain’t happening.
If he gets dealt (which he won’t) I could see Atlanta…
Belt’s superiority as a hitter over Posey at this point is a bigger deal than any gap in defense.
Not having even one of Duggar and Slater play is asinine.
They might as well play back in Sac to get 4 ABs every night…
Loo Rojas is right. Felipe’s nephew was Mel Rojas reliever with Expos and few others, who kept his real last name.
Felipe put mom’s maiden name at end of a document and that’s how he was known ever after.
dunno if this came out before here but Hank says Cueto is fine and the extra day was planned ahead. If he worked tonite next regular start would be sunday. by skipping him and going tmw Cueto would not take next regular turn until after AS break so he’d have way more rest.
If he’s still that fragile, then why not hold him back altogether till after the break?
Pads hit couple bombs off R Hill and lead 4-0 after 5.
This is the first time I’ve ever been impressed by Holland as a Giant.
3,801 “is the number that the “Big Head” Bruce Bochy has managed”
The record..1,901 wins…1,900 losses
You can’t define a .500 manager any better!
But then again , I doubt their’s ever been another manager with 3 W/S rings with a .500 pct ..
He’s a slam-dunk Hall of Famer.
Connie Mack was under .500 (5 titles)
The “Bay Bridge Series” trophy looks like junk because it IS junk. It’s a piece of the old Bay Bridge.
A reversion to the old Belt in that AB.
And a new reversion of Cutch on the easy DP..
You think he was “stubbornly” hoping for ball 4 there? I am still waiting for the reversion to the old Belt who Ks once every 4 PAs. Somehow, it hasn’t yet happened.
yeah, I didn’t see the old frozen by heat on the black Belt there. He didn’t complain a bit. He made a rare mistake and he knew it. He’s still the new and improved Belt. AS worthy despite the appendicitis interruption.
Holland sure pitched a great game.Too bad he will be on the hook for the loss once Dyson blows it..
Looking like a good prediction.
Turn on the A’s game. You won’t believe this ending.
I checked that out on the post-game show. Thanks. Very strange ending. Lucroy had a bad bad night behind the plate.
Clownball run giveaway.
Sounds like a ton of Cub fans in the park…
Screw the Cubs and their nouveau riche fans.
I went to one of the cubs games last year and we were surrounded by chi-town fans. Of course, a lot of tickets had been up for grabs — last year. Maybe the SF season ticket holders cash in when St L and the Cubs and so forth are in town. Must make it easier to pay for PS games. 😉
Sounds right.
We want Bart! The call begins.
This pitcher could use a few plates of panda food..
Well, this game’s lineup didn’t really inspire confidence for a lot of offense, so, no surprise there. Not sure I have a lot of faith in Boch to constantly and consistently put the best lineup out there for potentially generating some offense. I guess I’m mostly looking at Pence continuing to get starts over “the kids” who do occasionally seem to generate possibilities more often than Pence ever will again, despite that damned triple yesterday…
So Edwards strikes out the side, but Pence omg was pathetic.Stop cashing checks ferchrissakes..
Holland was good tonight. Ray Black was much better than on Sunday.
If I was him I would have the PA play “Paint It Black” when I came in from the pen…
beats the shit out of blackbird singing in the dead of night
Lame effort…
Gorks now 7-34 in July after good June. 0 walks in that time frame coming into tonite, ouch.
gotta think “getaway” day LU tmw would have the kids in the OF
Tough blown save for Treinen. Krukow made the point last night about the importance of the catcher getting an angle on that throw to first.
A nifty acoustic guitar song by McCartney:
Flannery is taking over ballpark announcing duties in place of Renel tomorrow. Possible train-wreck.
Ah tough L but well pitched game at least til Dyson got in there. Baez hit the only real good shot and Suarez and pen shut down Cubs night before. Good pitching will carry Giants long way, and Cubs are very good offensive team. D lapses have hurt them last 2 nights, unfortunate.
when it got released didn’t Stones song have a comma in it (by mistake)….Paint It, Black?
yes