Saturday, July 26, 2014

Game Wrap 7/25/2014: Dodgers 8 Giants 1

Baseball games can be lost in an almost infinite variety of ways.  There is BABIP luck, bad calls by umps(thankfully replay has diminished this as a factor), walk off wins.  This game loss was a good old-fashioned butt kicking by a team that, at least on this night, was better both on paper and on the field.  And let's face it folks, at least when Zack Greinke or Clayton Kershaw take the mound right now, the Dodgers are going to win most of those games, no matter what pitcher the Giants or any other team run out there to oppose them.  As this game unfolded, it had a definite aura of inevitability, much like I remember Dodgers-Giants matchups from the late 70's and early 80's.  Key Lines:

Triples Alley- Triples Alley was the Dodgers friend in this one as they sent missile after missile into the gap.  In all 5 cases, they came into 3B standing up.  The 5 triples set an AT&T Park record for most by one team in a game.  They also tied a Dodgers franchise record. Yasiel Puig's 3 tied a Dodgers record for most in one game last accomplished in 1901.  It's not like Blanco and Pence are slow OF's with lousy UZR's either.  Every one of those triples was smoked!

Tim Lincecum- 4.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.96.  On the surface, this looks like it could be a BABIP line, but this was more likely just a butt-kicking.  All those triples were smoked!

Hector Sanchez- 0 for 1.  BA= .196.  Sanchez came out early after suffering a mild concussion on a foul tip.  The Giants roster is already dangerously thinned out by injuries and this one could have the most far-reaching ripple effect.  Who gets the call as the backup catcher?  What happens to Buster Posey if he has to catch a bigger number of games?  I'm pretty sure someone has to be dropped from the 40 man roster to add a catcher.  Who will that be?

Despite the ugliness of the drubbing, the Giants remained in first place in the NL West by 0.5 games over the Dodgers.

Ryan Vogelsong makes a brave stand against Clayton Kershaw tonight in game 2 of the weekend series.

20 comments:

  1. I hate to say it, but after Noonan and De Paula were DFA yesterday, I have no idea who gets the hook today. I really did think it was goofy to only carry 2 catchers on the 40-man all along, but I'd say the organization is in a bit of a bind now. If I had to guess, I'd say Cordier could be the next man to go. But in the back of my mind, I'm also wondering if Hembree and Brown aren't up for discussion right now.

    Anyone think Susac is a big-leaguer tonight? I'm about 85% sure Quiroz is packing his bags for the Show.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jake Peavy, come on down. 14-2 career vs the Bums. Should be starting tomorrow night, prime time.

      A couple people on Twitter are mentioning that Susac is on his way to SF. Haven't seen that confirmed.

      Delete
  2. Probably Quiroz, as you say.

    Tough game last night, but tonight is a new game. Gotta to keep it close and let the bullpen, defense, timely hits decide.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It has to be Quiroz to catch Timmy, we don't want Posey catching him and Susac isn't ready for that butt kicking. I want Sabean to go find the cheapest starter he can find and call it a day. The team is starting to look like a MASH unit.

    ReplyDelete
  4. giants traded escbar and hembree for peavy

    we is saved

    bacci

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A little more than I was hoping for, but desperate times call for desperate measures and both pitchers have had disappointing seasons.

      Delete
    2. Definitely not a "nothing" return on Boston's end, but like Shankbone says, the Giants generally don't trade players unless they see faults. I think Esky and Hembree will both be contributors down the road, but EE is getting pounded by RHH this year. They both might end up as mediocre middle relief arms when all is said and done.

      Delete
    3. hembree regressed a bit in fresno and escobar may never pan out to be more then a long man and the giants did need a pitcher.

      just hoping that a return to the happy non homer friendly confines of the nl west will be a benefit to peavy

      still, the giants have many holes and i dont think there is enough down on the farm to trade to fill them

      plus, not sure the org should mortgage the future for an uncertain post season run

      bacci

      Delete
    4. Did I say that CC? I did guess that Hembree was going to be a throw-in this year, because for 3 years he's barely knocked on the door with his Fresno results. Just too many hits given up. So that's a flaw. Escobar's got a slurvey slider, but I do think he's a pretty nice piece to get back.

      The future is now bacci! Susac coming up! I don't think they should give up Crick or Susac unless its a big, big name and they get a long term deal as well. That's what the Rays want for Ben Zobrist, plus a couple other pieces. Not feeling that.

      Looking forward to seeing what Susac can do.

      Delete
    5. Sorry, Shank. I didn't mean to sound so matter-of-fact. More of a generalization I guess, that you've talked about pegs organizations not trading guys that they feel are the top talent. And I agree with that sentiment.

      Delete
  5. Is every post season an uncertain run?

    That was Beane's old postion. I think he's changing that view this year, trading to 'go for it.'

    Perhaps every post season is different.

    Is this year's potential post season run uncertain, whereas as 2010 and 2012 were more certain, for us? I think it depends on a few things - health (Pagan, Cain, Belt, Sanchez), additional acquisitions, if any, momentum going into the post season, and how the rest of the team will respond.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, every post season is an uncertain run which is why you always want to be in it even if as the second Wild Card.

      Delete
    2. It may be uncertain, but one should try to make it less uncertain, if possible and appropriate.

      Delete
    3. How do you make a crapshoot less uncertain? If I am not mistaken the Giants were the underdogs in every single postseason series they played in both 2010 and 2012.

      Delete
  6. Its 2014, gotta keep the Championship schedule on target! Shank is correct, the future is now. Let's take two vs da Bums. We are due against Kershaw, and here's to Jake the Snake going 15-2 vs the LA Blues. Susac, Duvall & dirty Swede catch some of that lightning and do some low-budget damage against the best team money can buy. Heck, A-ha just came on the radio - good karma for Morse to start slugging away again!

    Thanks for keeping us in the loop on the trade!

    NWGiantsFan
    DtF!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm wondering why Madbum and Huddy weren't lined up to pitch in this series?

    Good deal for peavy. Sounds like Esobar and Hembree were expendable. Don't think Sabes is done making deals

    LG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the post All-Star rotation was dictate by Cain's elbow problems. Also, I don't think it is necessarily good strategy to delay pitching your ace just so he can face the other team's ace. Back in the 60's, the Giants and Dodgers both tried to make sure Marichal and Koufax did not face each other because both teams preferred to have their ace going against a lesser pitcher. I'm not necessarily advocating to try to have your ace avoid the other team's ace, but I also would not jimmy the rotation to make sure they do face each other.

      Delete
    2. I heard the Bums setup their rotation to have their best face the Giants. The Giants and Bums are the only 2 contenders for the Division title which make these games very important. Thats why I didnt get Madbum and Huddy not pitching in this series.

      LG

      Delete
    3. In the game post All-Star Break coming into this series, the Bums were 2-4 and the Giants were 5-2. The last two games make their records 4-4 and 5-4 respectively. Timmy is probably the second best pitcher the Giants have right now. He pitched game 1. Do you think the Giants would have won game 2 with Bumgarner on the mound? Had he lost 1-0, it would have ended up wasting a turn in the rotation.

      Delete
    4. Yeah can't lose sight that this is a regular season series, the teams are in a dead heat, and there is lots of season left. Kershaw is hot and the Giants need to get healthy. These games aren't that critical now. I just hate losing to the Bums! At least Peavy gives them a chance tonight.

      LG

      Delete