Bird Doggggg
Nice to see Bird Dog back where he belongs: on top of the bump to start a game. We all loved him in the bullpen but it became clear that Hicks cannot do the job as a starter. Agree with whoever said Buster needs to go get some offense. He can’t sit on his hands at the deadline. In fact he should make moves much sooner but I fear the only move he’ll make is to watch Encarnacion come back from his rehab assignment.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Fixing the offense is going to be complicated. May 21 not many teams are already giving up, and those that might be do not have bunch of good hitters to give away. O’s and O’Hearn sound like a good fit on paper.
Giants are 3-11 vs. LH SPs…Melvin starts 8 RHs against them. No Wade Jr. no Bailey the most suspect of starters. So who are you replacing out of Adames Chapman Fitz Flores Schmitt Huff Ramos? Matos is obvious choice and it might be easier to find RH OF, with maybe some power. But other than that? Idk in this day and age of limited offense across all of baseball that recalls 1968, hitters are not going to be easy to find.
we’ll probably see both the Oaxaca Wonder and Luciano hacking away in the field and AB before we get a RH via trade.
from @codifybaseball.bsky.social
(and we know it’s not the pen’s fault) :
“Starter Had A Quality Start But Lost (2025):
7 PIT
6 CIN SF TB
5 HOU KC LAA
4 ATL NYM
3 ARI BAL BOS CWS CLE COL LAD MIA STL TEX WSH
2 CHC MIL
1 ATH DET MIN PHI SD SEA
0 NYY TOR”
In Chron story by Shayna Rubin, there is comment Bailey told Birds he could be more selective about pickoffs.
“I am done picking off” he said. “I have no reason to pick off when he’s back there because he’s just going to throw somebody out.”
Adames and Chapman have been lousy and deserve a lot more heat than our poverty first baseman…
Agreed, but there are millions of reasons more why they won’t get shipped out and Wade will…
Fair analysis Willie. You’re right – no one is going to give up a hitter at this point. I think the frustration (at least for me) is that they didn’t do much in the prior stove pipe season. Myself and others noted this. Is this Buster’s fault? Probably not. He’s respected by Johnson Junior, but frankly, JJ could give 2 shits about baseball, as he only cares about the bottom line (profit).
The good news is that the Gmen continue to surprise, as they are only one game out of the division lead and obviously, in the more likely position of taking a Wild Card spot . . . thus far. Trade deadline after the All Star break will be telling, as will be the off season. Another question for me is this – will Buster become frustrated and resign, should he not be given control of baseball operations? Buster is a winner. I don’t think he will put up with this shit much longer from ownership. Dunno for certain though . . .
Sheesh, what a week. Got called Sunday by a neighbor that my stepdad spent 3 days in our Sunnyvale home’s shower due to a fall. Only survived because they have a twice a week card game with my neighbor, a couple of cousins, and another friend of the family. Broken hip, Pneumonia, and concussion. He’s going to make it though.
Wow, blade.
That is some story. Hope he recovers, hip and pneumonia are not a good combo for the elderly…
I left the part out about them discovering a “spot” on his lungs during his examination. However, right now it is secondary (per the doctors), but I suspect he also has cancer. They are not able to do a biopsy right now due to him having all of these immediate issues.
Never close to my dad . . . Consequently, my stepfather I have always respected as my “dad,” insofar as always being there for me. Him and my mom were married 44-45 years before she passed away 2 years ago. He will definitely be in a “rest home” type facility for PT, etc., to rehabilitate from these injuries.
I know a few things about rest rehab facilities in and around Sunnyvale hit me up with any questions. xootsuit yahoo.
I think “Dean” is a bot…
Just saw your message djloo. I’ve been called many things in my life (some even justified) but never “bot” before. Oh well, I guess if you live long enough…
I’m sure there are some who’d prefer I was a robot. Dad (RIP) took me to first Giants game vs Phils at old Connie Mack Stadium in Philly in late 60’s. At least I think it was me. Now you got me thinking.
Didn’t mean anything by it, Dean. You always write great stuff and then seem to disappear. I think PaulinAsia is from Philadelphia. Maybe, me and Macdog will see you at Citifield this summer. If you’re real, that is…
No offense taken. Actually found humor in it. Don’t know how I stumbled upon Craig’s blog few years ago but glad I did. I’ve found it enjoyable and therapeutic to be able to vent with fellow passionate and loyal Giant fans, especially as Zaidi era came to grinding halt past couple years.
Don’t think I actually posted my own comments until last year. My less frequent posts more result of grinding work week and commute into city. I post more on weekends when I can organize my thoughts. But I look forward each day to Craig’s opening salvo and fellow bloggers response to same. I’m candidly disappointed on very rare days when Craig doesn’t post.
My son and I targeted Giants-Mets game Aug 1st. Only unknown is whether I run in SF half marathon (course finishes near Oracle Park and runs on port walk between right field arcade and McCovey Cove) prior weekend and then extend it into summer vacation. But if we head to Citi Field Aug 1st and you and Macdog are there, be great to meet up for beer.
I think fans miss a little of the context of how bad offense is across baseball. Per B/R, Giants are 6th NL for runs scored per game at 4.6 (NL Leaders column above standings). In other words there are 9 teams worse than they are. In AL, 4.6 runs per game would rank 5th, with 10 teams scoring fewer runs than Giants do.
Yes, in last 4 games runs have been at a premium, as Giants have scored 8 runs total. And yet they’ve won 3 of those 4. lot of torture for us fans, but you can win games like this if you hold the other guys down.
Well, except for the teams that spent money. Dodgers and Yanks aren’t having any problems scoring.
Giants are currently scoring more runs per game than Mets…who signed couple guys named Soto and Alonso in off season. As of now Mets have hit exactly 2 more HRs than Giants have and Giants have scored 13 more runs than Mets in same number of games. Mets pitching is best NL, team ERA of 2.86. Giants are 2nd at 3.30. Both teams are 29-20.
with 30% of games played (close) mlb total runs scored is on pace to match last years total almost exactly.
I do think the strike zone is tighter this year. Just scroll thru ump scorecards tweet today for some extraordinary examples.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/strike-zone-update-part-2-how-the-zone-has-tightened/
BBs are trending up this season.
total HRs on pace at last years rate almost exactly
Sounds hard to believe but Giants, in 3 more games than Padres, have scored 27 more runs and hit 9 more HRs. SD of course is team that has spent plenty of $$ on likes of Tatis Jr. Machado and Bogaerts (not to mention on Darvish and other SPs) and have batting champ Luis Arraez on roster plus 2nd year standout CF Jackson Merrill.
Yeah I’ve noticed the Giants are ahead of the Padres in many categories and basically around top 10 among teams overall in another year of bad hitting ( time to Juice the balls again lol 😂)so even a team batting average.226 it’s far from the worst at the quarter pole..
Really it’s both the Giants&Padres pitchers&BP both doing their jobs as the offense scratch out enough offense for their pens to close out wins.. Screw the Dogpile I don’t talk about them only Negative Waves Moriraty ..
Webb doesn’t have it today. Better get him out before the game it out of hand…
Melvin has to decide. Webb is just getting blasted. Bring in relief early, or let this game get out of hand and just chalk it up to the one of 60 you’re going to lose regardless…
The Ace always get a longer leash Snarkk, Giants get one back courtesy of Chapman HR.
So 3-1 still in it..
Then again now 6-1 It’s pull Webb time..
Bizarre inning They shouldn’t of scored at all, Wade boots one the next hitter hits it back to Webb that should of been a DP either he couldn’t get a good grip but think it was more Fitz didn’t get to the bag on time..
Hey Patrick Bailey 1st HR of the year 6-2
Melvin decided early that he was just giving up on this one – can’t win ’em all. Long roadie upcoming, Melvin wasn’t going to go really early to the Pen. Webb was up in the zone from the get go. Sinker pitchers get hammered when that happens…
Maybe just me, but this guy Witt is the best player in baseball.
Anyway, he’s my favorite.
Xoot, will do . . . Likely tomorrow, as I am “juggling” my own medical issues here in WA, where I did something to my already repaired shoulder – previous rotator cuff and bicep surgery, during this move to WA. Have an appointment to see a doctor next week to determine how much damage.
Thank you very much!
sure. Probably no immediate hurry if your dad has hip surgery (or replacement, which I think is the elderly norm). As ever, the surgeon will answer questions honestly, fearlessly. Press him or her on the phone if you can. Once you’re handed off to a hospitalist MD equivocation usually kicks in. Much is determined by Medicare rules but no one likes to explain the details. Is your dad at El Camino hospital? Very familiar with them. (Recent procedures of my own there.)
No, at Kaiser @ Santa Clara. I was the emergency contact, but I “handed off” to his younger brother and sister due to their close proximity to him. Both are very sharp . . . their father was a Coca Cola executive back in the 60s and 70s, so entire family is fairly well off. My stepfather, also quite sharp, but has slowed down considerably since my mom passed away 2 years ago. They were really in love and best friends, so that took a lot out of him when she passed. I also have 2 cousins advocating for him. All of them are visiting daily. They did a hip biopsy today (less invasive/risky and requires only local anesthesia. Per the physician(s), they’ll be able to tell the type of mass and whether it has metastiasized/spread from lung mass and whether hip surgery is feasible. Know more tomorrow.
Kaiser may be better for info and transfer to rehab when it’s time.
wow sorry to hear about this Blade. Best wishes for stepdad; falls are the worst. my experience at that Kaiser (drove neighbor there often for emergencies) is they won’t keep patients longer than necessary. Different neighbor did have hip surgery there and it went very well, along with in house help with PT.
Thank you Willie
Good to see Wade get a solid knock, particularly against this (apparently good) pitcher.
Ramos!
The Rockies are 8-40. At this rate they’ll go 27-135. How is that even possible?
Bit of late fireworks but not their day. Wade and Bailey were on base 5 times in 8 plate appearances from bottom of the order, and Bailey launched his first bomb.
didn’t see much of this one but got home just in time for Perez bomb to RF.
Keeping track of some 1b guys that might be on POBO radar: O’Hearn of O’s went 4-6 today with 2 rbis. Hitting .300 with .900 OPS. Rhys Hoskins homered #6 for Brewers and is also hitting .300 with .900 OPS.
Hoskins is not a pure rental. He has a mutual option for 26 w a $4mm buyout. A lot can happen between now and late July. But Hicks and Luciano? I’m terrible at trade games.
Verlander to the IR for 15 days. No word on a replacement yet
Get Whisenhunt up for his first MLB start. He’s dealing in the PCL. Why waste any more throws down there — only so many are in an arm for the career. Gs owe nothing to Verlander except a lot of money…
agree.
Verlander said it’s a minor issue he doesn’t expect to last beyond normal IL 15 day stint.
so if you bring up Whis for 2-3 starts, then what? Send him back down til someone else goes on IL? I doubt Posey releases Verlander while Giants are on hook for remainder of $15 million.
I think Harrison deserves the look more so than AAA guy. Giants control Whis for next 6 years. He ain’t going anywhere.
Harry was only going four innings or so at sac before his call up to the pen. They’ve been stretching Whiz out for seven in his last five starts. They’ve got a plan.
Correction: whiz’s last four starts went seven. Harry can fill the spot but he’s not durable as a starter. IMO.
good points xoot. Whis has been dominating.
No surprise on Verlander thought that way the other night with his pectoral injury, his age just so many throws in that 20 year career before breaking down again..
They could go with Harrison in his turn over Hicks hopefully who pitched today.They have 2 roster moves from the 40man right now.Can’t call up the Tijuana salt shaker Jerar E he’s not eligible.The usual suspects of garbage on a callup could be Beck&Black,Highway to Hjelle,McCray maybe? are add some excitement but doubtful Carson Whisenhut gets a taste in the BP as a second lefty in the pen with Miller if Harry stays in the rotation?
These guys seem so fucking gun shy bringing guys up. The A’s (sure, they got nothing to lose) bring up anyone and everyone.
Loo I would be getting a good skink on after Knicks fell apart! Incredible game overall but the Pacers went on a 20-6 run to close out regulation led by this kid Nesmith oh my lord 8-9 on 3’s then Halburton with what at 1st with a crazy 3 that bounced straight up on the rim and fell in, ruled a 2 with his foot on the line so it goes OT and Pacers pull it out 138-135 great game unless you live in NY, sorry Loo..
About as crazy a game as you’ll ever see. I bet Willie remembers Don Nelson’s shot that hit the back rim and went straight up and dropped through way back…
yeah. Nelson had funny looking FT too. Elg right in front of him there, what a cool player. Thanks for clip Loo.
Some solid Dean stuff way up above. He is definitely real…
“these guys” are gun shy about promotions Unc? You said this before about 20 year old Eldridge. who do you mean by these guys exactly– Baer and Greg Johnson ? the guys that were impressed enough by Posey to hire him in first place?
Posey said in first presser he wanted players that were promoted to big club to be fundamentally sound and ready. Complaint was previous regime pushed guys up too fast–with results like Luciano’s disastrous debut as SS.
You think Luciano’s career arc goes different if he languishes in AAA another couple years?
Come on.
The brain trust at the time delayed Posey’s call-up so they could control him another season.