Bochy...

[donk]

I was upset when Bochy let a lefty pitch to Tulo...then I checked his stats....he is hitting much better against right handers than lefties...this year, but not career wise....what would you have done??

[sharksrog]

Don -- I was upset when Bochy let a lefty pitch to Tulo...then I checked his stats....he is hitting much better against right handers than lefties...this year, but not career wise....what would you have done??

Rog -- Because Troy's bat is arguably the most dangerous on the Rockies and I believe in using one's top pitchers in high-leverage situations, even if it is early in the game, I would have brought in a good right-hander. The Giants' late-inning relievers are pretty fresh and might actually have been able to use the work.

The Giants now have 13 pitchers, right? It probably makes sense to use them.

As usual, my caveat would be that perhaps Bruce Bochy knows factors we aren't aware of, but in answer to your question -- based on what I know, I would have brought in a right-hander.

Uncertainty with Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo may have had something to do with the decision -- and indeed might be the reason the Giants are carrying 13 pitchers.

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[donk]

I haven't read or heard any comments about Romo rubbing his elbow while warming up...anyone think he might be having arm problems....putting 13 pitchers on the active roster is a little too much unless some are having health issues...

[klaiggeb]

I haven't read or heard any comments about Romo rubbing his elbow while warming up...anyone think he might be having arm problems....putting 13 pitchers on the active roster is a little too much unless some are having health issues...

---boly says---

I agree, Don; 13 is ridiculous unless there are extenuating circumstances.

My best guess, since I haven't seen Romo rubbing his elbow, is that the pen got torched on this trip, and they simply needed help.

I mentioned earlier that I'd send Kontos down and keep Machi.

Allen asked if I thought it would be a significant upgrade and I forgot to reply


So, Allen, yes, I do.

I said in an earlier post I think Machi could close; or at least that he has the stuff to do it.

Mentally?

I haven't a clue.

Then again, I didn't think Casilla could close, and I was wrong.

boly

[allenreed]

I might send Kontos down and try to make him a starter, but other than that I don't see a real reason to do so. We need to get some starting pitching from somewhere. Zito and Vogey are getting old, and who knows about Timmy.

[sharksrog]

Allen -- I might send Kontos down and try to make him a starter

Rog -- Intriguing idea. I'm not too confident about it though. George started for six seasons in college through AAA before apparently hurting his arm .

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[donk]

May 20, 2013 15:06:24 GMT -5 sharksrog said:

Allen -- I might send Kontos down and try to make him a starter

Rog -- Intriguing idea. I'm not too confident about it though. George started for six seasons in college through AAA before apparently hurting his arm .

dk..Gaudin has been a starter....Hester and (gulp) Boof Bonser are down in Fresno....]

[sharksrog]

dk..Gaudin has been a starter

Rog -- That's not a bad idea. The two possible downsides are that Chad has been quite valuable out of the pen as a do-everything guy, and he hasn't started a game since 2009.

[Islandboagie]

dk..Gaudin has been a starter

Rog -- That's not a bad idea. The two possible downsides are that Chad has been quite valuable out of the pen as a do-everything guy, and he hasn't started a game since 2009.

Boagie- Our guys right now look like they havent started a game since...ever! Honestly, I'd probably be optimistic with the pitching machine out there, at least the pitching machine won't walk anyone.

[sharksrog]

Apparently Mike Kickham has had four straight good starts at Fresno and would be the first guy called up to join the rotation.

[klaiggeb]

Apparently Mike Kickham has had four straight good starts at Fresno and would be the first guy called up to join the rotation.

---boly says---

Then he must have REALLY sucked before, because right now, here are his numbers:

47 2/3 ip 54 hits

19 BB 50 K's

4.72 ERA!

But I pulled up his last 4 starts:

24 ip 20 hits

6BB 25 K

those are pretty impressive, I agree.

His previous 4?

17 ip 30 hits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 left the park

13 BB 18 K

Makes him seem a good choice... then again, who knows.

Based on his last 4 games, and Rog's intuition, which has often proven correct (certainly much more than mine!), he appears to be a better choice than Loux, Bonser or the Pitching Machin ( )

boly

[sharksrog]

Thank you for the intuition compliment, Boly, although I try to base my predictions on fact and logic as much as possible.

In this case I wasn't making a prediction, though, but simply passing along something I had heard or read. Since the Giants' best starting pitching talent resides in the low minors, the injury to Ryan Vogelson poses a big challenge.

And just when the poor guy looked like he might have it back together.

With balls running in quite a lot these days, I have often worried about such an injury, but I don't really recall its happening before -- although I'm sure it has on occasion.

Here's an idea off the top of my head: The Giants are carrying 13 pitchers, and Heath Hembree is showing signs of being ready for promotion. It might be worth taking advantage of days off, of being able to move guys up and down from the minors every 10 days, and going with the old "bullpen game."

There are three things that might augur against it though. The Giants may not have enough bullpen depth in the minors, they may not have enough pitchers who can be sent down without exposure to waivers, and their present relievers may not be healthy enough overall to accomodate the extra innings.

I would guess that Gaudin gets the call, and Hembree gets promoted.