Stix Break
If you check in this strong at 3am, you get the day’s thread……
| Carstie Clausen | 3:15 AM (2 hours ago) |  | |
| to Flavor, carstie |
Flav: Friday evening in St. Louis revealed something about the Giants approach. It’s all about balance.
Tuning into the official MLB site, it’s larding up the place with the Yankmees—a team I have detested since around the age of twelve—and the LaBumbos—with the Guggenheimer bucks providing LaLaLand with an All-Star array of ego-trippers and highlight reelers. Judge and Stanton present a duet of power++ superstars .The New York based media loves to hype them clear into the ionosphere—that’s well beyond the stratosphere, way, way, way up there. But guess what? Last night checking on the stats end of the MLB presentation, there’s the “lowly” Giants, now with a six game winning streak, sporting the identical number of runs batted in with the Yanks. How to explain? It’s simply a matter of balance.
Our Webb-spinner looked to be nowhere near his A-game in the First. Wild-man on the mound, it seemed to bode another one of THOSE nights like SF experienced last week. But somehow last season’s surprise ace found his center of balance, helped along with a reconstituted offense and got his act together, lasting a full six and appearing to improve as the game marched on. Though his ERA is not up to his standout performance a year ago, he now sports a 5-1 record. Only three K’s on the night, if recall is correct…but weak-contact grounders scooped up by CrawDaddy and a smooth functioning infield with those two DP’s; in general demonstrated that keen pitching and a near airtight inner defense is more often than not a more potent game-winner than the star-spangled squads which grab all the media by the short-hairs.
Another part of the balanced equation is a relentless, grinding offense centered on an attack that comes atcha from every bat in the lineup. Contrast that approach with the Bonds-centered formula of a couple of decades back…that one was a single hyperstar surrounded by a shadowed assembly of so-so hitters who simply took on the roles of a supporting cast for THE MAN. Wearing down the opposing starter, the Cardinals’ flamethrower as a prime example, combined with feasting on a bewildered bullpen, was key to that 8-2 victory. No rest for the opponent. Pitch after pitch getting fouled off and that topped by a frustrated hurler losing command and control and consequently issuing free passes.
Frustrating the Cards, not so much as in the sweep of the bedizened Rox, was a lineup with few holes. A pitcher simply cannot pitch around these guys. Consider Casali. Outta nowhere, he gets his first Ding-Dong of the season, essentially putting the game on ice. Return of Longo with his devastating double was yet another highlight. With a AAAA lineup, back in the not so distant past, Los Gigantes couldn’t buy a two-bagger. Adding YazMaTaz on his covid return for another two-run boost and we’re looking at the Daily Doubles. Toss in Ruf-stuff and a pitcher faces more than one or two guys who can hurt you…bad.
Then there’s the Bullies. With the Webb-master good for six, the pen once again was not needing to face a lonnnng set of innings. Though Littell got lit up by starlit Goldy, the blast did not drive in a couple of baserunners as well. Who’s on first? Nobody. No huge prob. The lead was already daunting. Jarlin Garcia finished it off with a nine pitch ninth, as St.L. had already gotten demoralized by yet another solid outing by Leone in the previous frame. When offense and defense are playing up to their standard standards, the relievers seem to be more relaxed—no nailbiting tension—and proceed to simply do their due diligence.
Yeah, Friday the thirteenth was bad luck for the home team. They got run over by a Giants squad which lacks even a single superstar. They are all in it, as nobody hogs the spotlight, while a keenly balanced production lessons and lessens the opponent. It almost reminds one of a prizefighter in the their now almost unheard of heyday in the 50’s, who maintained a balanced battering that simply wore down his opponent.
Perhaps 2021 with its 100++ victories was not a total outlier. Could just be that Zaidi’s concatenation of hidden treasures coming outta nowhere and Kapler’s pinpoint managerial skills are providing a whole new template for winning baseball.
It’s all about balance.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Phils won another slugfest from Dogs at Latrine last night, 12-10. Lit up Buehler for 5 runs/9 hits in 5, then after blowing a 2 run lead, scored 3 in 10th off Graterol.
39 bombs hit overall yesterday.
Concatenation. Well played.
Yeah, Stix is quite the belletrist…
I had to look up concatenation??
Me too.
Doobie Dubon traded to the Stros for C Michael Papierski. Wow.
Pretty telling indictment of Joey Bart.
I don’t like the trade. We bolstering our AAA catching? He’s a 26 year old AAA guy with no MLB ABs.
What little coding I used to do back in the day used that word.
Looks like LaStella is about to come back, finally. Giants recently picked up couple minor league IFs, that Padlo we saw last week and Donovan Walton who is with them in STL on taxi squad. Plus Williams Krizan and Vosler who were up briefly earlier while Longoria and others were out.
So something has to give–would they trade Dubon or Estrada or LaStella once he shows he’s OK and can hit?
Didn’t see Gonzalez screw up yesterday but he has hit well. Plus they already have extra position player with 3 @. Rox coming up Monday. Score there yesterday was 14-10 or something.
We already traded Dubon. I’d have waited to see if LaStella doesn’t hurt himself walking to the plate, or remembers how to hit.
Royals won 14-10. 31 hits (18 for KC) 6 doubles 4 HRs total. Score was 8-7 after 5. Ty Blach pitched scoreless 9th for Rox who made 2 more errors an have lost 5 straight.
concatenation always reminds me of those firecracker chains
Is Walton better than Dubon? Papierski’s a switch hitter who doesn’t seem to get many hits. Strange, suggestive series of moves. Pow pow pow!
I would’ve thought Dubon was worth more than that – especially as part of a bigger package…
With Longo and Lastella back where will Estrada play? I really like him, and hope he gets enough AB’s to stay sharp
Oh I don’t think it will hurt Estrada Sportsdude, he leads the team in AB’s I believe up there in RBIs can still backup Craw if he needs a a day, can DH, he will play 2nd against lefties and they will use LaStella against rightes, but he’s still an everyday player that’s been in the LU all the time.He and Craw have looked real good on DP combo as well.He’s been solid..
Isn’t this John Boy Walton the guy they just got from the Mariners for the pitcher Berroa ( who’s lighting it up I the minors that we got in the Dubon //Davis trade?
I believe Walton is a LH bat infielder that Z picked up cause of concerns with LaStella’s health and wanted a LH bat ( plays the usual 2nd,?3rd?,1B?..
Z’s the king of these head scratching moves with a bunch of .180 hitters he picks up but he does find gold occasionally, fools gold as well. Think this Catcher is any better then the AAA guy Genovês? If so if Casali/ are Bark get hurt are in Barks case demoted he’s up next..
mm I was thinking about that Kat–if Casali is gonna get more playing time, suppose he did get hurt?
Btw noticed Harper can’t throw so he’s a DH and Phils have Schwarber and Castellanos in corner OF.
Sounds like perfect spot for GD once he recovers from oblique strain. dunno what Phils have Giants would want.
Cash considerations?
Surprised at the trade, gotta admit for all his bonehead plays I’m gonna miss Dubon, especially for a guy who already mentioned here doesn’t seem to hit much.
Somebody on the radio remembered that 50 years ago today, Mays played his memorable first game as a Met…
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN197205140.shtml
Of course the WP was Ray Sadecki…
1. LaMonte Wade Jr. (L) DH
2. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
3. Joc Pederson (L) LF
4. Mike Yastrzemski (L) CF
5. Evan Longoria (R) 3B
6. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
7. Luis Gonzalez (L) RF
8. Donovan Walton (L) 2B
9. Joey Bart (R) C
P: Jakob Junis (R)
Well they throw Walton right in the fire for us all to see with a start.He bats Left handed so it gives Z /Kap that option till LaStella is recalled.Let’s see if that career .196 hitter in the bigs can do much while he’s up..
Hey new guy, swing the bat.
he has options, huh?
Just can’t warm up to Javy on the broadcast…
Yeah never have either Loo. He’s more boring then watching paint dry.
I’m pretty sure he would Xoot.
Hey making progress he put a ball in play that AB..
Yes, fouled off a bunch of pitches!
Geez Joc 1-27 steak and that hit was the dribbler that roller that hit was the roller that hit the 1st base bag.
? was that?
Joc had the dribbler against the Rockies 5/11
Only hit in 27 AB’s since that oblique strain..
oh yeah I remember that one.
I meant end of the inning.
Joc reached on a fielder’s choice Belt out at 2nd .Then the dumb base running play making the 3rd out in a rundown while Bark just stayed at 3rd.Either way they had Joc nailed even if Bark took off for the plate..
What the hell was that on the bases?
Well that was dumb the catcher was even standing up figuring Joc will take off and Bart going back to 3rd ??
How about the new guy hustle double!
Sigh, it’s just not our day.
WTF?? Why was Walton held at 3rd with his speed on Wade’s hit??
He scores easily! Dumb job by 3rd base coach to hold him!!
They said he froze thinking it might be caught…
Belt had a good AB per Fleming.
He hit into the easiest DP in fuckin history!
And now a gift run.
At this rate the Grave Duggar will be welcomed back just for his defense…
And now the ballgame! Extra gifts just killed them
They really played a shitty game!
Froze on the hit by Wade? They never even showed a replay of it that I remember?
Fleming said it, Kat.
I didn’t see it either…
I’m with you, as soon as it was hit I’m thinking that’s an easy run, instead of more shitty baserunning.
Pederson is damn near useless right now
Damm right Mac 1-28 not gonna cut it!
Flem I think the Giants would like to get him going? You think dummy!!
O-1 post-Dubon.
more than made up for his absence on the base paths, though
I guess we got to have one of those games now and then.
Phils off to a nice lead over the Dodgers. We’ll see if the Phils’ Gas Can bullpen can hold the lead.
McCartney’s set-list last night:
1 Can’t Buy Me Love
2 Junior’s Farm
3 Letting Go
4 Got to Get You Into My Life
5 Come On to Me
6 Let Me Roll It/ Foxy Lady
7 Getting Better
8 Let ‘Em In
9 My Valentine
10 Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five
11 Maybe I’m Amazed
12 We Can Work It Out
13 In Spite of All the Danger
14 Love Me Do
15 Dance Tonight
16 Black Bird
17 Here Today
18 New
19 Lady Madonna
20 Fuh You
21 Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
22 Something
23 Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da
24 You Never Give Me Your Money
25 She Came in Through the Bathroom Window
26 Get Back
27 Band on the Run
28 Let It Be
29 Live and Let Die
30 Hey Jude
Encore:
31 I’ve Got a Feeling
32 Birthday
33 Helter Skelter
34 Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End
Same set as the 2019 concert I went to. I remember the encore for sure Ringo came out and played. Helter Skelter. Likely my least fav Beatles song ever. The band was so loud didn’t matter how was playing, and the effects were such you couldn’t see him. A bummer song for him to be on for sure!
Off to eastern Europe for a river cruise. See you all on the 29th! Go Dubs and Go GIANTS!!!
Phils continue to pound ball at Latrine, 8-3 W. 4 HRs and 2 doubles off Urias who gave up all 8. Harper, who is on a tear down there, had one of each.
Phils CF R Quinn, batting 9th, hitting .158 with OPS under .400. I’m telling you, GD could be perfect fill in over there.
Glowing reports for “versatile” Dubon (7-17 lately) from Stros who have been after him since offseason and
from Kapspeak for new guy batting .211 at AAA. zzzzz