The good guys win!

[garyd4sf]

OK we are still 1-2 but that's so much better than 0-3. The Dodgers down here in LA are expected to win. The fans are thinking of the World series and just see their 60 games as an extended exhibition series. So what happened?



First off Webb pitched well but tired. He reminds me quite a bit of Matt Cain. The Giants played aggressive ball and got timely hitting, scoring early (each of 1st 4 innings) before being shutdown in innings 5-9. I think Wilmer Flores will be a surprise player for SF.



The SF lineup (especially sans Belt and Longoria) seemed doomed against what some here see as the best lineup since the 1927 Yankees (for historians). You need to play the entire game against the Dodgers and certainly cant allow 3 unearned runs and bases loaded in the 9th. Solano's error made a 5-1 game into a hang by the nails cliffhanger.



But a win is a win. If the Giants can duplicate that today it would be a great start. If they cant, a 1-3 at LA against this team (did they get the first 5 picks in the pickup of the game lineup?) is OK IMO.



Man, is the OF defense a scary situation. At least 3 squeaker catches, but they were outs.

[klaiggeb]

Pretty darned good analysis, Gary.

I noticed the same thing over and over and over and over in all 3 games, which, coincidentally, is what I've noticed for a long time; Giant pitchers do NOT get the same corners, most of the time, that other teams get.

When you watch the games this week, please watch closely, because I'm sure I'm not mistaken, though Rog would vehemently disagree.

I don't like getting squeezed.

To me, it's just another form of cheating.

Let me know what you see.


Thanks!

[garyd4sf]

I stated the same to my wife who (curses!) is a Dodger fan. She sarcastically said why would he do that and I stated jokingly its all those cardboard seat holders sneering in back of him, I would guess on close called strikes it was at least a 2-1 difference. Its one thing to have so much firepower, its another if they are given an extra swing on offense as well.

As to the Dodgers they depend on the HR and if ahead you need those corners for possible strikeouts or to at least take the middle of plate swings away. The Dodgers will plays bombs away even late in the game. They will also pile on like in games 1 and 2 with an extra base, but that ended up costing them in this one.

[Islandboagie]

I'm not really seeing the Giants getting squeezed too much, but I'm not really paying close attention. I couldn't care less about this season. They aren't playing a full season, they've implemented the DH, which I hate, and they got cardboard cutouts in the stands. It's like a bad dream. I'm watching this how I watch spring training, I pay attention to what the young kids are doing, outside of that I don't care what happens. I actually prefer they lose so we get another good haul of draft picks next season. I'm confused as to why Ramos and especially Bart aren't on the team. Normally I dont believe in bringing up players too fast, but sitting on the bench (and a little playing time) with the big club is certainly better than sitting on the couch at home.

[reedonly]

I believe Ramos is injured and they are keeping Bart out for at least five games to get extra year of control over his contract.

[klaiggeb]

I'm with you, boagie. I watch, but not really.

Like you, I can't stand the DH, which you KNOW is going to stay pretty darned soon for the NL

The articles continue to try and build up what a great guy Kapler is.

How much he's grown, and blah, blah, blah.

To me, it's just more propaganda.

I can't stand the guy.

I think he's a gallactic jackass, and I truly believe we'll see just how poor of a manager he really is as this season(?) progresses.

I don't mind the cardboard cutouts, but I still resent the kneeling DURING the National Anthem.

I was a huge fan of Mini-Yaz, but today I read that, he, too, is taking a knee.

Just one more Millennial who doesn't get how what he's doing is insulting to veterans and the families of veterans who died in the service of this country.

What he's doing has soured me, a bit, on him.

[garyd4sf]

Short view so far....

2-1 vs LAD , the NL west best team. Not bad, the first game was 1-1 through 6 innings. The second a total wipeout. The 3rd and 4th playing solid baseball. Pitchers are normally ahead of batters and so it was in most of these games.

The LAD hitting is on and off. I wonder how many wins that team gets in games that they don't 2 homers? That weapon though makes them a 27 out threat.

I think the Giants have a younger, deeper team but with many of their vets still are out, or snoozing.

The pitching staff could be a pleasant surprise. But with three- batter faced rule RP Rogers seems to me to be a big risk where his pitches become more recognized.

SD at home will be a good further test. For the season SD is 4 away and 6 at home. Colo is 6 away and 4 at home. Arizona is 4 away and 6 at home. The rest (H/A) are Texas 3 at home, Houston 3 away, Oakland 3 at home and 3 away, LA Angels is 2 away and 2 at home, and Seattle is 2 away and 2 at home

[klaiggeb]

Gary:

Not sure if I agree that the Giants have a 'deeper' team.

Younger, yes, deeper, no.

[Islandboagie]

Thanks for the info about Ramos and Bart, I havent been reading up much on baseball stuff throughout this covid thing.

I dont know if I really blame these younger guys for taking a knee, Boly. The leadership (or lack thereof) has allowed and even pushed them to do so. When a manager does it, I'm sure the younger players believe they should follow suit. I dont think they really know any better. One thing I do know, this wouldn't have happened on Bochy's watch.

Most players were probably very young during 9/11. They dont fully understand what the flag represents, or who died defending it. The flag doesnt represent racism and inequality, it represents everything opposed to racism and inequality. Just because some people don't practice what that flag preaches doesn't mean we should take it out on the flag. The flag is an innocent victim in this fight. If one is truly for fighting inequality and racism, and believes everyone should be free. Then they should stand and salute.

I like the thought that's coming from people like Yaz, Kapler and others kneeling, it's the right verbal message. Racism is unacceptable, we should have risen above this by now. But they are sending the absolute WRONG message by not understanding who the enemy is. The enemy is not the flag, the flag has been fighting for equality and freedom long before Kapler and Yaz were even born. It was fighting before Yaz's grandfather played.

Kneeling for the flag makes you look dumb, not just because it makes you look like you just want attention, but it makes you look dumb because by kneeling you're proving to world your brainwashed mind can't comprehend the meaning behind the flag. So basically, you dont just look dumb, you ARE dumb...at least when it comes to this topic.

[garyd4sf]

Jul 27, 2020 15:44:28 GMT -5 klaiggeb said:

Gary:

Not sure if I agree that the Giants have a 'deeper' team.

Younger, yes, deeper, no.

The Giants have improved their ability to hit lefties. IMO they have improved their backup fielding with many guys playing multiple positions. That improves scorecard manipulation.

And the youth this year will be used a lot as the season continues. 

They certainly aren't the Dodgers  but as a guy who sees LA a lot there are some LA questions there from last year. Buehler should be good. Kershaw is increasingly fragile IMO with many trips to the DL. Wood and Urias are suspect. The batting has Bellinger and Betts as a huge strength. I see Seager as overrated. Pedersen as average. A lot depends on their older 1B Muncy and 3B Turner (especially) vets sustaining a high level. Catching is pedestrian.  In some ways the Dodgers are in the same boat as the Giants were after 2014...signing up several key providers for long term. Will they be like the contract Giants i.e.  handbound? 

[Islandboagie]

The problem with that is the players you mentioned as negatives for the Dodgers are all better than any of the Giants, except MAYBE Yaz or Dickerson when he's healthy. The rest of the Giants would either be on the bench or in the minors if they were on the Dodgers. And Yaz or Dickerson would have to be benched too, because the Dodgers have Betts and Bellinger in the outfield, they would have to compete with Joc Pederson for the LF job.

I like Yaz, solid all around player. Dickerson has immense power, when he gets the ball in the air it just keeps going. But Yaz has cold streaks and Dickerson can't stay healthy. I'm not certain they're much better than Joc Pederson, if at all. I'd probably start Yaz out of those 3, but Pederson would definitely get some playing time.

The Giants "depth" is decent, in the fact that the bench players aren't much worse than the starting players. But that's because the starters just aren't very good. If they were on other teams, well, many of them wouldn't be on other teams, not the good teams at least.

Pablo, I love the guy, but hes again fat and not in playing condition. He can still put up a spirited at bat, but the results are not often in his favor.

Hunter Pence had a nice rebound year with Texas. How do I put this nicely....he should have stayed in Texas.

Crawford stopped caring.

The Giants website keeps talking about Belt and Longoria coming back, like they're going to be our saviors, but they aren't much better than what we have currently. In fact I probably prefer Ruf at 1st and Solano at 3rd, eventhough they're horrific fielders.

[klaiggeb]

I'm with you on Pablo, boagie. Looks to me like the tank is empty... and his weight doesn't help.

I like what you said about Crawford... though I'm not sure whether it's true or not.

I heard he had a run in of sorts with Kapler prior to the season beginning, and supposedly it's patched up... but I'm not buying it.

I think he sees the writing on the wall that he's gone at the deadline.

And if the website is laying all of their eggs in the Belt/Longoria basket... boy! Are they going to be surprised!