When Losing Is Not An Option
The Dodgers have to be doing the slowest of burns. Win 5 in a row? That’s pretty good, eh? Not so fast you blue ho’s, that gained you precisely zero games.
We have 17 games left. They have 16. Their day off is tomorrow. It would be fantastic if we both win tonight AND then we win again Thursday for an even 11 games won in a row and a clean 3 game lead on their dumb asses. So they win 6 in a row and still lose ground. Bahahahahaha!!!!
Anyway, that’s how I’m drawing it up, make it so.
They say baseball is a game of failure. Right after they say that they say even the best hitters fail 7 out of 10 times at the plate. In this stretch run that’s poppycock. You want to succeed? You gotta be perfect. Run the damn table. These two teams are engaged in an epic battle, one we may never see again…
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Meanwhile the Cards have slipped into that second Wild Card spot at the moment.
Who saw that coming?
A 3-game lead in the loss column with 17 to play would normally be a pretty big lead, but this is obviously not a normal situation.
It does make for a very exciting race.
This final stretch run may be like no other stretch run we have ever seen.
Just to give this some body:
If we go 10-7 that equates to 105-57. Bums would have to go 13-3 to end up with 106-56.
If we go 9-6 that equates to 104-58. Bums would have to go 12-4 to end up with 105-57.
It has been a while since we have seen anything remotely like this…gonna be a helluva ride.
This is going to be a fun couple of weeks and remember, the colors of October are orange and black.
Not baseball related, but how the fuck is it possible that the police are not permitted to question the boyfriend traveling with the missing girl that is national news? Because they can’t prove a crime was committed? What the
fuck does that have to do with trying to locate a missing person?
none of that case is making a lick of sense to me.
Agree with Flav and you…makes no fucking sense at all. And the fact that the guy is being uncooperative is a huge warning flag.
If the dude didn’t contribute to her being missing, then he should have no problem with talking to the police.
No matter what he did or didn’t do, any motherfucker who might know anything should be questioned in a missing person case. The poor girl could be alive in some ditch (doubt it) while the cops are hangin’ at Tim Horton’s because of some idiotic law…
Last time they won 10 in a row was 2004.
Saw somebody make this comment elsewhere—“Belt wars are over, and Belt won.”
I expect them to announce a 2 year extension for him any minute…
mm could easily be. just saw your comment from end of thread.
who would have thought all three of old guys up for new deals from Giants and coming back next year?
I’d still go year to year with Posey though, kind of like what Cards have done with Molina.
I would be OK with them adding an option year on top of Buster’s current option (accept the option and add one more option year for 2023 with a reasonable buyout).
General Belt?
Major Belt.
Probably the biggest surprise of the Giants’ season is the career revivals of the former-Bore Core. That seemed so unlikely to happen.
It sounds like in the disappearance case you guys are talking about, the guy is immediately going to the 5th Amendment right to not self-incriminate. That raises a red flag.
Belt’s flashing that C for only one reason CASH BABY!! SHOW ME THE MONEY 💰
I’ve proven my worth being the Captain of this Wild Bunch and I will continue this quest going forward!
Amazing to think what this year has turned out to be, when most all Flappers had the Bore Core burned at the stake and exited offseason as a full rebuild goes on( rebuild lol wtf is a rebuild says Zman? I don’t need no stinking rebuild, I’ll just reload with castoffs from Gilligans Island) well that won’t happen now as it most surely looks like the Bore Core returns (-Cueto) and it hard to argue, when you always have rejuvenated young pieces like Wade&Estrada and more waiting their turns to prove their worthy as well..
I think every player on this team has been cut or traded by us. Except for Brebbia ( 🙂 ), each of them has contributed to this season proving once again why none of us get the big bucks.
Lol.
The Bore Core are all on record saying that they have been open to the new teachings of Kap’s vast staff. It’s important to always remaining teachable.
Belt has probably changed the least, and he’s on record as saying he only wants so much info. The other 2 have changed stance etc. Bottom line, new approach has to work to have value. Hitting coaches change teams all the time and are often first guys fired as scapegoats once a team’s offense goes south.
The problem with Belt is that he frequently is hurt, unavailable. And, that has happened while he’s young. Heading into 33-34 age territory, we can’t expect he’ll be more available than he has been in the past. Crawford has been pretty injury free, despite being at a physically demanding position. If they go to a DH in the NL, Belt would be a good candidate for a DH fairly often, let Wade be the 1Bman. Even that though, probably won’t stop Belt from getting hurt, like having a knee tweak or a bad back or a pulled side muscle, etc. Like Mostert on the Niners, he’s good when he’s in there and hot, but he just gets hurt a lot…
I am confident and comfortable with Z, Harris, and Kap making the right decision on any extensions (including Belt and Posey, etc. Hey, they have built the team with the best record in baseball. They are in great shape going forward, so giddy up and let them figure it out…
“rebuild says Zman? I don’t need no stinking rebuild, I’ll just reload with castoffs from Gilligans Island”
lulz!
Yeah, I’ve been behind Belt, for the most part, till this last offseason where it was just painfully obvious that he can’t get through a full season without some stupid shit happening.
Thing is, they don’t have Willie Mac waiting in Sacto to take over for him. And when he’s hot, like now, he can do a lot of damage. He’s had what, 13 homers since coming back from the IR in August?
Another 2 year deal to keep the band together? Yikes. I guess so.
Another point to make about Belt is that he is definitely one of the best defensive 1st basemen out there.
Again, I have confidence in Z and crew to make the right decision on Belt and any other vet they are looking to extend.
Yeah, meant to say that in there. He’s definitely a plus defender.
Don’t know how these will look, but for the golf nuts a couple of shots I took the other day in the Kingdom of Fife:
https://oneflapdown77.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/img_7438.jpg?resize=450%2C450
https://oneflapdown77.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/img_7450.jpg?resize=450%2C450
St Andrews Jubilee course and what I think is the 18th hole at Anstruther. I had no idea the former had 7 or so courses. I asked someone coming out of the clubhouse which one the real players are on, and he replied that they all kick your ass.
Nice! Never been to the old country. On my bucket list. According to 23 & Me, I’m 97.2% Irish, 1.8% German, and 1.0% French. Got to get back there.
Having productive players this season to step in when Belt was sick or injured was huge.
Last night, in one of Belt’s ABs, he kind of slipped and took an awkward first step running to first base, and my first thought was “here we go.” We kind of wait for the shoe to drop on the Belt injuries.
I’ve always been a Belt supporter.
A two year extension has to consider that he WILL be unavailable for a considerable portion of that time…
I’ve got about 40% Irish in me.
ONe of these days, I’ll visit over there. I’d like to play at least Ballybunion, Lahinch, Enniscrone, and Royal Portrush in the North. There are tons of others, but those stand out to me in my past reading and dreaming…
My perception of Belt is that he is more aggressive at the plate this season. He seems to be a little more on the attack this season, not so walk-oriented. Am I hallucinating?
The extended hitting stats should show whether it is true.
But, I agree that it appears to be the case…
This morning on KNBR Krukow talked about the players’ pre-game preparation during the Kap regime. It does sound like the coaches have gotten the players to really buy into the program. Estes has talked about that, too. The coaches show the players “here’s how today’s starting pitcher is going to try to get you out.” It sounds basic, but it takes communication skills from the coaches, I guess.
That’s what I read Belt is most up on, knowing in advance how he might be pitched. You would think every hitter would, but…
I remember Dusty Baker talking about how during his years with Braves Hank Aaron would tell he and Ralph Garr exactly how certain pitchers would pitch him, and sequence was usually spot on.
They need lots of coaches, probably because there’s a lot of data to constantly compile and process on the oppo…
Well, what’s interesting is guys like Mays, Aaron, and Clemente had all this stuff in their heads. How pitchers pitched them, where to position guys when playing defense, how to go after pitchers in differing situations.
True, but they didn’t face the constant stream of 97 mph flamethrowers that every team is now throwing at the hitters after one turn or one and a half turns of the lineup by the “starter”…
Last week they said belt had the highest ops in the league on the first pitch. I didn’t check that stat but if that’s true that a huge change on his part. Not every adjustment is about the swing
Belt is seeing 4.15 pitches per PA, which is pretty standard for him, and his highest total in a few years. In 2021, he’s swinging at pitches out of the zone just 23% of the time and at pitches in the zone 80.2%. That is an excellent ratio. Belt doesn’t need the coaches because they are teaching what he’s been practicing for a while now. Swing at strikes and lay off pitches out of the zone. It’s what drives the Dodgers’ offense, and, now, thankfully, the same can be said for SF. It’s the approach that made Bonds the greatest hitter of all time.
Well, like most of us I am a melting pot of DNA. I am about 40% English, 20% German, 15% Scot, and 11% Irish. My cousin has done a deep dive on genetics and can trace ancestral connections on my dad’s side of the family back to William Wallace (cousin). I would love to get to Scotland and Ireland, too…definitely bucket list, but I will spend my time in pubs, distilleries and avoid the links (I suck at golf, so no desire).
You calling me inbred? What’s funny is a good buddy did his and he came back 100% Irish. A green circle.
I have some blurry, long distance night time shots of the Wallace monument in Stirling taken from the road leading to the castle. I can’t help but picturing Mel Gibson, even though I’ve never seen the movie. I’m not a fan of his.
Oh, come on. The Passion of the Christ is a laugh-riot.
Like that movie, Braveheart and The Patriot contain what Anthony Burgess called ultra-violence.
In Braveheart, at that time Sophie Marceau, who played Princess Isabelle, was downright stunningly beautiful. First time I saw that flick I thought she was some sort of minor goddess, a siren. Amazingly gorgeous. I really liked James Horner’s (RIP) music score, too — moving in many respects…
Horner also did a magnificent job on “A Beautiful Mind”…
If I did a tour of Scotch Whiskey distilleries, I’d have to go at least to Oban, Glenmorangie, Abelour, and Balvenie. Certainly there’d be more, too. Balvenie 1989 Portwood may be my favorite Scotch of all time. Can’t get it in the US. About $570 a bottle on UK liquor websites. Ouch.
Not into the Islays, mostly the Highlands. Golfing would be tough under those tour conditions…
My perception of Belt wasn’t that he was swinging out of the strike zone more, but that in certain situations, like a 2-0 pitch, he wasn’t just waiting for the perfect pitch anymore. He’s willing to swing at a pitch low in the strike zone on 2-0 for example a little more often now.
And I don’t think he’s taking that high pitch for strike 3 as much anymore. Well, it seems like it to me, anyway.
Tick-Tock, murderer…
https://www.foxnews.com/us/utah-police-report-says-argument-between-gabby-petito-and-fiance-was-a-mental-emotional-health-break
I wonder if they’re trying to gradually stretch Leone out to 4-5 innings…
1. Tommy La Stella (L) 2B
2. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
3. Buster Posey (R) C
4. LaMonte Wade Jr. (L) RF
5. Kris Bryant (R) LF
6. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
7. Evan Longoria (R) 3B
8. Mike Yastrzemski (L) CF
9. Dominic Leone (R) P
I’d rather have Leone the closer…
closers are locked in to one specific inning and time of use, whereas a reliever that can be used in different situations, to set up or open, and go multiple effective innings would have more value. More Leone types, ala Affeldt, the Giants can develop, the better.
I understand what you mean re: McGee, but Kap’s gonna go that route as long they are still playing.
Hard to hold much hope for DBax, but O’s lead the Yanks right now and the Royals are ahead of the fast sinking A’s, who also lost series to last place Rangers over weekend. Pirates and Reds tied up 4-4.
Appears the Grave Duggar has replaced Yaz in the line up…
Yaz is day-to-day with elbow bruise…
“Can we recall these last 3 months of Padres baseball instead?” Padres fan on twitter
Kap playing Captain Hook early tonight.
Garcia didn’t have it that’s for sure.
Looks like we’re really rooting for the D-Backs tonight.
May need a bunch of innings from the likes of Brebbia and Castro.
If they’re still on the team that is…
Castro yes, Brebbia no.
Padre fans should get a reality check by watching Total Recall, when brainless thoughts are put in their heads..
Fuck, no one’s got it tonight.
Nice pitch there Littel.
Getting a taste of our own medicine…
Castro’s still here luckily whipping boy Brebbia is back in Sac working on his sunburn.
Blame Baggs and Brisbee:
this is hardly a surprise. We’ve been down 2 starters for 3 weeks this bullpen game bullshit was bound to catch up with us at some point
The voice of reason as always.
Profar played that like he was afraid of colliding with the warning track…
Duggar watching watching watching
“Take 3” does it again…
jeez is GD using a 90 oz bat? what is his problem swinging at a strike with RISP?
With the fucking pitcher behind him.
They call me Mr.Take..
Wasn’t there a candy bar called take3?
oh boy
Should GD go to an open window tonight and yell out like in Network and say “ I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!
Chipping away . . . Damn, Ponch hits that shit hard.
Thairo bomb!
Ball 6
They’ve only played 3 innings?
There’s still 18 outs left, hardly over, but it’s felt like they’ve played a doubleheader already..
it’s been an hour and a half to get through 3.
Grave Duggar’s glove decided to lay off that ball at the fence…
he had no idea where the ball was. if by chance it had hit his glove it would’ve clanked. he played the wall well, though — nice soft bounce against the pads. I mean, the cushions.
Jay Jackson isn’t very good.
Has the Gyros Pen had a 1-2-3 frame yet?…
Phew !
Jackson got outta that last frame a little chastened, but clean…
Saw this discussed couple different times today, re: playoffs and possibility of “seeding”.
Very possible for SF and LA, teams with best records in the NL and winners of 103 games or more, to have to play each other in first round, with result being one of them will be eliminated.
Well, if the winner of the WC game has to play the division winner with the best record then that’s how it will be if either of them emerge victorious from it…
Exactly. Gotta wonder if this comes up in negotiations and playoffs get done differently going forward. Discussions I saw asked the question if, should above scenario occur, would that be good for baseball?
They should intentionally walk the next 2 guys to get to the Take Duggar…
Baseball needs to change this BS system for playoffs.You rate them 1-5 in that order by wins best record’s in both leagues..
Well. there has to be some incentive to winning your division…
Never want to get Grave Duggar in a commercial,they’re would be way to many takes involved..
He’s testing James theory of taking the close pitches on full counts.
With Duggar’s speed, I’d think he’d be better off making contact….
I’m really sick of catchers trying to frame every single fuckin pitch.
If I were a HP umpire, it would piss me off.
In a way, it’s unsportsmanlike conduct…
I know he’s got way more important things to do, but it’s a shame Stix hasn’t been able to enjoy this baseball season. And we’ve also missed out on his commentary which is always amazing…
He’s back online sporadically now. We exchanged some email earlier about Leone. He’ll be back here soon.
That’s good news.
Hope his health has improved.
Thank you, Xoot…
Duggar is useless…
Ship him the fuck out tonight…
If the Giants end up in the WC game, no matter what, no matter who else is injured or ill, I do not want to see Duggar in the LU.
Not a real good take on that flyball for Duggar on a very catchable ball..
I seem to remember Giants fans being rather unhappy back in ’97 when SF won the West but had to travel to Miami for the NLDS because the wildcard Marlins had a better record. MLB changed that “seeding” rule shortly thereafter. Agree with Loo: there needs to be some incentive and reward for winning a division….
Giants had the home advantage that series, but MLB’s cockeyed system back then had the first two games played in Miami.
Yeah, that doesn’t really seem like “home advantage”…
And of course Krukow says GD is excellent going back on balls.
Well, he’s fanned on 2 catchable balls tonight.
Pillar is 50 times better than him…
There you go. Good to see some wood from Bryant.
Bryant bomb!
Get hot, ya fuck!
They should walk Longo and pitch to Mr. Shit…
That was a nice magnificent blast by Bryant!
Followed by a triple gapper by Crawford
Time to tie it up Longo, blast away!
I’m obsessed with that worthless, cocksucker hiding in Florida that the fuckin cops refuse to drag in and beat the fuckin truth out of…
Yeah, when did “not cooperating” become an option in a case like that? Unbelievable.
The good old days…
Fuck. Stupid shit there.
This would be a little more bearable if the Padres had done the same just one time against the Dodgers in the last couple weeks, instead of shitting in their pants every fucking game
It’s disappointing to see gay-bashing on the Flap tonight. Those posts should be removed by BF, in my opinion.
I apologize and have deleted them myself…
Thanks.