Extending Our NL West LEAD
Some encouraging signs last night amidst another surprising win.
Slater with my far and away favorite line of *bomb and stolen base*— that’s the essence of the 1.0 stat that Pillar popularized in his short but productive time with us.
And the bullpen….wasn’t awful? Nice to see Doval bounce back. Rogers has the lowest ERA of all time for a player no one trusts. And Mcgee….got the job done with some help. I know he doesn’t have anyone else down there to turn to but Kap is going to get skewered as the season wears on and McGee coughs up saves.
Maybe Z goes and gets someone? But who, nobody is ditching anyone of value at this point in the season.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
slater was on base, something he hadn’t done much of up to this point and hit all important 3rd HR. And since you brought him up, getting himself on base was major struggle for Pillar too. He stole 14 bags all season, Slater now has almost half that. Pillar hit 21 HRs, same as Yaz and 1 more than Longoria. Yaz had 200 fewer plate appearances, Longo 120. Nothing special there, and Zaidi chose to non tender the guy instead of keep him, which tells me all I need to know.
it’s too bad you show such disrespect to a former Willie Mac award winner. Most Giants fans have a higher regard for the great Willie McCovey and those who followed in his footsteps.
Mac in his SF days was never such a below league average hitter, which Pillar was by any metric. I’m hoping Slater can be a better hitter than that. One thing I’ve never understood–if Pillar had value to you for his steals (14 with 5 times caught in a season he played every day equals only 2 a month), wouldn’t it have helped the giants if he’d gotten on base a lot more? That’s where I hope Slater can add value–get on base ahead of middle order guys, put pitcher in stretch yada yada.
The Duggar PH at bat, with runners on 1b and 2b one out bottom 8 score 5-4 is emblematic of what I see far too often by ML hitters everywhere.
He had bluffed a bunt and they showed Machado with both feet on grass, rest of IF shifted to right of 2b. So, with CF pulled slightly over to right of 2b, that meant total of 2 players defending about 50 % of the field. The other 50 % of the field had 5 fielders on it. So um, where would you want to try and hit the ball?
Duggar wound up swinging at pitch toward outer half of plate and hit it hard, but right at someone on IF and wound up with GIDP despite how well he runs. But this is thing about shift–by taking away one hole, another one is opened up for hitters to take advantage of, unless their only plan is to hit ball over the fence or off the wall.
I don’t see how it is fair to ban the shift and tell the D no you can’t play it that way–it’s up to hitters to adjust and find the open spaces, because they are there.
2 months has to be some kind of record for POTD.
Its profundity is apparently timeless. Layers of yet to be explored meaning there.
I keep worrying about the aged POTD and it’s possible foreboding of darker days ahead
Meanwhile in NYC, there’s now Rat-gate with the Mets. There was some kind of incident in the dugout tunnel involving Lindor and McNeil during the game, with the telecast showing several players rushing to the tunnel to see what was going on. Not long before, Lindor and McNeil had a miscommunication on a grounder that ended up a single. Postgame, Lindor said it was either a rat or a raccoon that drew everyone’s attention, and McNeil adding maybe it was a possum. No one is buying it.
To activate Gausman and Cueto to start next 2 games Giants will have to make roster moves. Selman didn’t help his cause much last night, and he and Littell were last 2 called up. Doval made things interesting but ultimately K’d Tatis Jr., even if pitches weren’t near where Posey wanted them (smiley face goes here).
And there was one that was pure Ryne Duren or Bob Veale, 98 heat Posey had no chance of catching.
Giants get game winner off Pads pen guy Kela who sucks, and nearly scored insurance runs off Johnson, who sucked as a Giant and doesn’t appear any better.
Texted SD fan godson last night, as to how good a player Grisham looks, plus Cronenworth. Add these 2 to Tatis Jr. Machado and Giants killer Myers, and easy to see why once you factor in all their pitching Pads are projected to be so good. Still, Giants hanging so far, up 4-3 in season series and game and a half in standings.
If we’re good against SD this year, we’ll likely suck against LA.
WillieD, re the Duggar AB as emblem, I think in many cases the calculus for the hitter is still that he’s better off maintaining a consistent approach and not trying to modify his swing from pitch to pitch or PA to PA. It’s only two defenders, but just as with a bunt, you are relying on the pitcher’s cooperation and a high degree of bat control. It always looks easy when the hitter is successful. The SS and LFer can still get to a lot of the average contact. For players who are pretty good at following the XBH plus OBP formula, those far from guaranteed ground ball singles are often no more valuable than ball 4. I realize your analysis of Duggar’s specific situation last night makes sense, but in general I’m not so sure.
If LHs do get a pitch to take the other way I think it does make sense–sure value of single may be negligible, but it’s still better than an out. Guy like Belt knows how other team is gonna position their fielders–taking advantage of a pitch made against his own D by the pitcher, instead of letting it go, to me he’s missing an opportunity.
Machado twice whacked pitches solidly the other way last night (Yaz saved XBH for Rogers), Slater and Posey too. Makes any hitter lot tougher to pitch to if they can use whole field, imo,
Driving a ball hard is almost always the goal, no matter which direction you hit it. I think there are very few hitters who can simply react to hit a ball where it’s pitched and consistently make good contact. They all guess. Purposely trying to hit to the side with fewer defenders, as a strategy, may reduce your overall effectiveness.
I don’t think singles are negligible. Not making an out is always a good thing. It’s just that in the mix of potential outcomes in an AB, trying to steer grounders into left may not be optimal, especially for those with power and a good eye.
Guess my argument is against banning the shift/requiring 2 IFs to be on same side, and on the dirt. I’ve heard hitters say used to be hitting ball up the middle was a hit, now it’s been taken away. Well, it was a hit because there was a hole there–now the hole is just in different place.
Maybe Hjelle is the answer after a couple months of AA ball and we are still playoff competitive…
The Emeralds are 4-0
PEAK PERFORMERS:
Logan Wyatt – 1B: The Ems cleanup hitter continues to reach base at a ridiculous clip, going 2-for-4 with two walks and two RBI. Through four games, Wyatt is batting .538 (7-for-13) with eight walks, good for a .714 on-base percentage.
Emeralds Bullpen: The bullpen was exceptional for the second straight night as three relievers – Travis Perry, Solomon Bates, and RJ Dabovich – combined to fire 5.2 IP with one hit, one (earned) run, two walks and eight strikeouts.
Brandon Martorano – C: Twenty-four hours removed from making his Emeralds debut, Martorano was solid yet again as the starting backstop for Eugene by going 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored at the plate while also gunning down one Indians would-be base stealer and picking off another at first base.
Ismael Munguia – RF: The Nicaraguan continued to impress on Friday, posting a game-high three hits (3-for-5) with an RBI and a run scored.
Tyler Fitzgerald – SS: Fitzgerald looked as comfortable as could be making his first start at shortstop while also moving up to the leadoff spot in the lineup. The former Louisville Cardinal went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and two runs scored while also producing a highlight real grab in the field, robbing Spokane’s LJ Hatch of a potential hit and RBI with a miraculous leaping grab to end the fourth inning.
Will Wilson – DH: The lone first rounder in the lineup on Friday night, Wilson delivered in a big way by going 2-for-4 with a solo HR, two runs scored, and two walks.
Kapler is giving his usual wish wash about using the closer scenario role.One minute he says it’s up for situational baseball but when push comes to shove it’s always McGee with his high pitch count inning and stress on everyone watching.It clearly should be Rodgers in the role right now.If he can handle the heart of the order in the 8th he certainly can get it done in the 9th.
If anything Barager should be the 8 th inning guy and slide McGee down to the 7th inning. And wtf is Wishler still up here?
Were the arches closed last night?
They have been closed all year GH..
WilleD so banning the shift is not fair, well so what? The game has to be changed to make it more watchable to have more action on the field that is not either a homer or strikeout in a changing “millennial” culture that is not going maintain a love for a slow tv unfriendly game.
Your argument is equivalent to saying the 3 point shot is really not fair to defense so we are going to ban the 3 pt shot. I am tired and sure hitters are as well watching a solid swing line drive and there is some infielder playing shallow right and snagging the line drive. Just aint baseball to me…
I’m saying it’s up to hitters to find where gaps are–they are still out there, just in different places. Shifts aren’t anything new either, just being employed more often because analytics and knowledge say it’s best way to get someone out. Up to hitters to adjust, imo
Funny story in Chron btw Bob Melvin and Willie Mays. “I asked him, how did you hit all those homeruns out at Candlestick with the wind blowing in from left?” Melvin said. “He said, ‘When the wind blew in from left, I hit them out to right.’ “
Us east coasters at least get Giants on Foxsports1
Aaron Sanchez placed on the 10 day IL with tightness in his right bicep.Keeps Logan Webb with his 9 lives into the rotation for now..
1. Mike Tauchman (L) LF
2. Mike Yastrzemski (L) RF
3. Wilmer Flores (R) 2B
4. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
5. Evan Longoria (R) 3B
6. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
7. Steven Duggar (L) CF
8. Curt Casali (R) C
9. Kevin Gausman (L) P
Unlikeable, but Machado is tremendous player.
He’s a punk for sure, but yes, he can flat play some baseball.
Same can be said about Tatis Jr..
Bore Core trifecta. Belt to Longo to Crawford
Crawbomb!!
3 run blast!!
Giants strike fast!!
Yep, Bore Core Wrecking Crew.
K&K on KNBR pregame noted a foreboding stat dug up by Jason Stark, one of my fav baseball writers.
For the first time in recorded MLB history, in a month of games (April) the league wide number of Ks > number of hits. In fact, the delta was over 1000. That is not good. As a fan, I’m not interested much in paying north of $100 by the time I’m done to watch a game where around 1/3 of the ABs regularly, predictably end in a strikeout. That’s a definition of boredom, because it’s not Gibson v. Marichal. It’s a string of no-name dudes on both sides hurling at 97 mph, and guys whiffing…
Ha there you go.
Are 1st base coach gives me no reason in wearing 00 Hac Man’s number. Hell he doesn’t even look like a guy,he has to be dwarf( not much taller then Cousin ITT) next to Alyssa Nyakken ..
I was at a Giants game in the early 8o’s and Dutch Renert(sp) was umping 1st base, he was a pretty short guy.. Early in the game he made a terrible call at first against a Giant runner. We were right down on the field 1st base side and for the next 5/6 inning a guy row away was heckling him to no end. After a couple of inning of it it really got to him he would look over and scowl. Anyway make a long story short one of the things I remember him saying is “I’ve got a couch at home that has longer legs than you you four eyed moron.”
Lmaoooo Winder!
High hard one from Gausman goes right by Hosmer, and he’s through 6 up 4-1.
Pads got 3 hits off him, walked 1 K’d 7 10 ground ball outs. ERA down to 1.97.
Seems like an Ace to me type pitcher..
Absolutely, Kat.
Keep on tacking them on.
Longo can still play the shit out of some baseball. Say what you want about his age, the dude can still bring it, at the plate and in the field. I’ve really come to enjoy watching him and think of him now as a fine Giant.
Agree LJ.
“Kevin Gausman–who is going to become a very very rich man this offseason…” tweets Pavs. What would you do, and when?
“A covid sellout.” Who thought we’d ever hear something like that?
The marketing people?
Yep.
It’s just bizarre.
Dutch Rennert, most outrageous caller of balls and strikes ever, bar none. Upper deck patrons in the OF could hear him.
A note on Snarkk’s Stark comment: Last year the average Ks per 9 innings was 9.1. It’s 9.2 this year. That difference is probably attributable to the nearly 500 Ks by pitchers at the plate. The 108 BA they’ve put up also contributes to the size of the delta between hits and Ks.
James, You were so right about The Bore Core, any SP not named Webb and
Tyler Rogers as to how this team is in first place.
Oh man, for a bit there I thought I might have jinxed Rogers.
Ha, I thought maybe my video feed was slower than yours!
Sla-tater!
He’s got the long ball workin’ with that 80s porn stache
.
Slater picks up Dubunt.
wow dead CF 2 run bomb for Slater, good to see.
BOOM!
Meanwhile, across Bay Hunter Strickland pitching 8th for Tampa, who trail A’s 4-3.
Ah, good old muscle head….
Slater sure can muscle them up once in awhile. Better than 450 on that one.
He’s being pushed by the Grave Duggar…
Who had his OPS over 800 for a brief time today . . . .
Hop on, Jimmy…
Nice play by Yaz…
Fuck yeah! Nice win!
Series win! Whoohoo!
Sweet.
Gausman is amazing. You know that everyone of our starters gotta feel the challenge. Sometimes good pitching brings out the best in everyone.
Yeah, he’s really figured it out. Dominant stuff and tough-minded as well.
Johnny C back on the hill tomorrow. He was pitching really well prior to his injury.
Nothing like a little shake and bake for the Woman tomorrow on Mother’s Day!
Johnny is the perfect pitcher for all the mothers!
I’m a big fan of ballgame give-away items. The hats the Giants gave out today were good give-aways.
Some mothers are highly overrated.
Hopefully yours isn’t.
I’ll leave it at that and head over to some psychiatrist blog…
Mine a complete pain…oh well still kicking it.
Do I ever get that.
Tough to admit.
God bless you…
No Loo, my mother was the greatest,sadly she passed away on Mother’s Day back in 2014.
I have nothing but bitterness for Mother’s Day ever since.I know friends have told me you have to let it go, but I can’t do that I’m reminded every year and it sucks..
Hang in there, Kat.
No doubt you were a great son…
“Tawny Kitaen, who shot to fame in the 1980s by appearing in multiple Whitesnake videos like “Here I Go Again,” “In the Still of the Night” and “Is This Love,” has died at the age of 59. According to the Orange County coroner’s office, she died at her home in Newport Beach, California on Friday.
A cause of death has not been revealed.”
She was married to pitcher Chuck Finley for a while.
She also beat Finley’s ass, physically abusing him. The Mariners supposedly played “Here I go Again” when Finley pitched.
Yeah, I vaguely remember reading that. She was hitting him with the pointy heel of a high-heel shoe at one point.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48419/this-be-the-verse
Thank you for that, Xoot. It helped.
I apologize if I was out of line with you the other night.
Sometimes it’s hard to interpret what people are saying here…
well, most poetry’s ambiguous.
I spent a lot of today dealing with a plumber I hired to repair problems at my deceased mother’s townhouse. It’s situated exactly halfway between the HQs of google and apple, so I figure it’s worth fixing. At one point, while I was following the game on my phone, I heard the guy start to moan. “Come on, baby. Come on. Give it to me.” I looked around the corner. He and his wrench were straining on a pipe that poked through a hole in the wall. “Yes! Yes!” he shouted, as the joint gave. “Beautiful! One down. One to go.”
I grabbed my sunglasses and headed to Trader Joe’s for a six-pack and a fifth (which I put into the trunk of my car to taste after I navigated the 80 mph bumper to bumper east bay traffic home).
true story, best I can tell it
Were you driving the convertible Jag in front of me? I was down in Aptos celebrating my sister’s life with her 1st husband and the extended families. Did the 17/85/101/237/580/680 cruise as we droppped daughter #1 off in Palo Alto on our way back to the creek.
no. I was the perfectly respectable old man in a four-door sedan, wearing shades and a Giants cap backwards, speeding along with everyone else, happily listening to Jon Miller on the radio in the late innings.
280 to 92 to 880 to 238 to 580 to 13. forgot to add that.
I think one of my kids wrote that.
This morning I admit I ate a thing from Burger King called the Egg-Normous Breakfast Burrito. It cost about $4, and it was really big. It was tasty, but the burrito went on forever. It seemed like I would never be done.
I’m not sure how nutritious it is, but if you’re really hungry before eating it, I doubt you’ll be hungry afterwards.
there you go. You have mother’s day covered.
This is my Mother’s Day gift.
I finally figured out years ago that what my parents really want for a gift is candy.
When my dad got complete dentures, one of the great joys for him was being able to eat peanut brittle, which he loved. See’s makes great peanut brittle, but a person would need dentures to eat it.
Just because the eggs aren’t free range grade AA doesn’t mean they’re less nutritious. Nevertheless, you’re a brave man taking on 400% of your recommended daily cholesterol intake in one meal.
Yeah, I generally avoid fast food places, but every once in a great while I venture into one when options are severely limited.
The Dodgers shan’t be losing to the Angels tonight. Kershaw is likely safe with a 13 run lead.
Angels have it down to single digits.
I’d endure multiple Colorado horror show collapses before seeing a 13-run lead evaporate. That really can’t happen.
“The 11-run blown lead stands to this day as the biggest blown lead in a National League game, though this mark was bettered by the Cleveland Indians, who came back from a 14-2 deficit against the Mariners to win 15-14 on August 5, 2001.”
A couple of familiar faces came up big for the Braves tonight. Pablo hit a 2-run pinch-hit HR in the 9th to tie the game at 3, after a walk to Agent .000 Adrianza. And in the bottom of the 12th, Ehire hit a game-winning single to give the Braves an 8-7 victory.
Maybe a case could be made that Pablo has had the strangest career in MLB history. It’s full of highs and lows.
Yep. As opposed to A-Rod, whose career is full of lies and hoes.