Surprising Start
12% of the season is in the books and the Giants are a game out of 1st place. That is…..astounding. Maybe I haven’t given enough credit to the way Kap and his staff coach and manage. Maybe Z is operating on a level I can’t even see. None of this makes any sense to me.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Crawford had nice night at SS too after only playing an inning night before. Belt saved an out on errant throw. wood has given up only the one run in 12 innings and had monster high 70s game score last night.
Early on, pre Spring Training, a 78-84 finish for the Giants struck me as a reasonable projection. To some it may have been a somewhat Polly guesstimate. Now, with 20 games under the belt, the team has an enviable 13-7 record, with rotation, defense and power all performing considerably above expectations.
142 games left to play. If they play .500 ball the rest of the way, which seems not unreasonable; they would precisely reverse my February expectations and finish with an 84-78 record. Not about to alter the projection until the end of May, as that month could well be the most challenging one on the docket. Just take a look at the schedule and see what that could mean.
So SF needs to extend that winning record this month and if they can emerge from May with an even record or mayyybe a tad above that; we could be looking at a team which could outplay most everyone’s most Polly hopes. Will the rotation maintain its totally unexpected excellence? Can those two young fireballers stoke up the bullies? Can the power keep on keeping on? Be nice if the BA can keep rising from it’s current .215 or so. Injuries have begun to confuse matters. Depth that Zaidi and Harris arranged has kept us on an even keel to date.
April has been kind over the first 20 games and that has included playing four good teams and one constant pest. So far the Giants have met the test. How about the rest?
The most important of Zaidi’s pitching gambles have paid off so far, and the ground balls have been finding the right players. If it weren’t for Wisler’s and Alvarez’s walks, Z would be pitching a perfect game.
Runs against per game pitching is tops in NL. Runs scored, 11th and Defense among best too. Schedule has been pretty soft so far–M’s and Rox aren’t WC contenders, and Phils Reds Marlins borderline. After Marlins leave, Giants get 3 with rockies here, then play Pads at Petco, then 3 more with Rox to finish road trip.
So other than SD, teams to make hay against.
Still think Kapler is unnecessarily burning out Rodgers&McGee who have been in (Rodgers 12-13? McGee12) games especially with a 5-1 lead starting the 9th.Like even Krukow mentioned after the bottom of the 8th, those 3 runs changes who you bring in now.(Well guess what it didn’t)Stix and I both mentioned that point after the game. Actually I was glad to hear Pablovic ( sp) call out Kapler on that point postgame. Kapler never flinched, were hear to win games and I felt that this is my best option to win The ballgame.
U would think there both not available today in a game they weren’t needed in last night.And he’s on the pace of burning both these guys arms out by the dog days of summer if he keeps this up imo.
he absolutely is. But what he’s gotten out of this team so far blows my mind. These players are just not that good. Kap and Z get a lot of credit for what’s happening right now.
Agree, Craig.
Right now it’s great being a Giants fan with the anticipation instead of dread to the next game. If IL’s are kept to brief 10 days, if team BA gets to the top 10-15 ( instead of the bottom 3 in NL), defense stays solid as is, I see nothing that changes my 85 wins that I told Paulie at the start. Yes, May will be a test but I have always pledged that team chemistry is another strong factor that makes players believe in themselves and never taken into consideration.
Keeping me in a minority here is just fine.
And I thought 80 was optimistic.
Good post, Dennis. I agree.
I can’t recall my guess here on the Flap, but I think it was 80. They are definitely exceeding my expectations. Huge improvement with the D.
What was the contest for the jacket? Did I miss something?
We never organized one, Chuck. Flavor doesn’t need more homework.
If you want it, it’s yours.
Just give me some time to fix it up nice…
No shit?
1. Tommy La Stella (L) 2B
2. Mike Yastrzemski (L) RF
3. Wilmer Flores (R) 3B
4. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
5. Alex Dickerson (L) LF
6. Buster Posey (R) C
7. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
8. Mauricio Dubon (R) CF
9. Kevin Gausman (L) P
Jesus how can u continue with banged up players?Craw( ribcage now quad) Longoria not ready with hamstring) (Solano IL Wade IL) and there using Disco as a pinch hitter lol as he’s supposedly Kapler’s best hitter at .120 or so! Get a healthy body up here for the bench so we they eliminate a pitcher to hit late in a game, it’s a joke..
Agree. Kat. Been bothering me too.
Giants are today’s free game on MLBTV…
Gausman’s 10 pitch inning. Looks like he’s on his game.
Took 9 pitches for Lopez to induce a groundout from LaStella.
Another commercial with a person getting advice from a cardboard shit box…
Slater keeping the Grave Duggar buried…
How far behind is Bilasport?
Nevermind.
You serious about the jacket?
Sure Chuckie, why not?
You like it, right?
Yeah. It’s very cool.And more important, it’s coming from you. Priceless. And hey, I’m turning 60 tomorrow.
I want to get it in great condition first.
Just gimme a little time and it’ll be worth it…
Well there you go Chuck a perfect 60th Birthday 🥳 gift by the ever giving class of DJ Loo!
Happy Birthday Chuck, wear it with extra Giants pride!
Hey, Loo, while your largesse is on topic, the Fred Lewis photo still has pride of place in the James’ drawing room.
Gausman still looks terrific. Ace? Well, in this context, so far.
LaStella possibly has started to show why they signed him for three years.
Good to see others have the jinx capability.
He made that play. Sure looked bad though.
Twin gave away computers!!!
The computer is long gone …
Mine lasted till 2018.
I generously gave my computer win to Blade.Twin was not to happy at first, but after kissing his ass with a few e-mails and a few added dickwads on his part, he got over it 😠
That was no catch…
Can of corn perfect throw from Gausman that LaStella butchered for the error.
marlins might have botched that by playing back.
They got the lead anyway.
They just made up for it. Still a great AB by Slater, and heads up base running by both Dick&Posey. Dubon smoked it to SS and Posey doubled off, shit happens..
Slater had one helluva 9 pitch at bat and Buster at 6. Lopez was saved from further damage by Dubon’s BBIP liner—pitcher’s best friend kept the damage down to one tally. 79 pitches through 5 IP.
This umpire strike zone is tighter then a virgin..
It’s inaccurate, too.
It’s a bitch
Sierra was a tough at bat. Gausman at 69 through 6 IP. Four, five, six batters in seventh. Let’s see what they can do vs Lopez after the semi-automatic out.
Damn, got robbed of a hit by Fish CF.
marlins are 1-20 with a BB tonight.
Gauzepad approaches the batters box as if he knows what he’s doing…
All we got outta that inning was a single single and Lopez up to 97 IP. Those BBIPs are adding up to our disadvantage.
Who’s got the runny nose—Kruk or Kuip?
Bye Bye Berti.
Unbelievable Berti🏌️♀️
Shit.
Gasman looking to get Cained again.At least NDed.
Bass is a mediocre vet reliever, but he fed Buster a series of low zone sliders and sinkers. Posey did what he usually has done in those shituations.
Tatis Jr homers again, second time tonight off Bauer. 3-2 Pads in 6th
Starting today I ain’t wearing a mask outside anymore.
WTF did I get vaccinated for?
To protect everyone. Get your hair outta yer eyes.
The Karen’s will still be on your ass Loo..
This is why this blog is so great
Buster on pace for 40 GIDP.
Only 40?
Jazz going down slow tonight.
Gausman gets Jazzman at pitch #101. RP in 9th almost guaranteed. One measly (well maybe not so measly what with the gang that can’t hit straight plus all those BBIPs) mistake. Overall, one helluva performance. Ace level.
Gausman > Jazzman.
Who’s this guy? Hosler? Never heard of him.
It’s Vosler not Hosler , who had a good spring.Giants must of listened to me ( doubtful) about their thin bench with injuries.I don’t even know who they dumped I assume a pitcher came up with a mysterious injury?
Maurice needs to learn to go the other way. That sharp, low slider was an almost guaranteed groundout with him swinging away. We may see Ramos before too long. But needing for another infielder sooner.
Bring up Thyroid.
Isn’t that what they got him for?
We got our infielder in Vosler. He hits an infield popup. Overanxious to be in The Show. Well, he’ll fit right in with the gang that cannot hit straight.
Oh boy.
Vosler called up Jarlin garcia to IL with groin strain or whatever.
Ballgame
Brisbee hexed this guy raving about him after his 1 inning. He’s such a fool.
Damn.
Oh no. Kapler burned up McGee last night. Etc.
So much for the keeping the sweep.
Right down the pike to Jesus, after walking Sierra. Guess where Santos goes tomorrow. More seasoning needed. His sliders were not working well and the 4-seamer quickly became predictable. Ballgame.
I think Matt Wisler will get a chance to get his stats right.
In about 20 innings.
Right into the corner of Cooper’s hot zone. This kid has lost it for tonight. See ya in a year or two.
Santos now has a big league ERA an ugly 18.00 and still could go higher yikes..
Let’s make that 27.00 era that closes the book on Santos..
Well, Gentlemen. Enough for tonight. Gotta get up at six tomorrow for a ride up to the homestead. Expecting to stay there 3 weeks or so. Still having issues with probs who don’t want me living in a Minnesota 6×16 “Ice Palace”. One helluva lot of cleanup to do with raking, burning, cleaning up the vandalized shack. No electricity or phone during the stay. Back around mid-May is the plan. Go Giants.
Alright Stix, You show Minnesota your still the king up there!
Check in occasionally so BF and the flap knows your safe and well.,
good luck Stix. stay safe
Deadmeat at home plate on Yaz’s throw but nó bueno on Posey holding on..
Put those rally caps on! 😂
My cap did a 360 Chi on Yaz splash hit that ball was crushed!
Tough one to lose. Break out the wasabi tomorrow for sushi Sunday.
Gausman may not be an ace, but he sure got deGrom-ed tonight.
Damned good game between the bums and friars.
Fucking dodgers….