Robbie Ray struggled through one of his worst starts of the season but the hitters kept the line moving....and moving.....and moving, scoring runs in all but one inning and every member of the lineup collecting at least one hit. Key Lines:
Willy Adames SS- 4 for 6, SB(8), 3 R, RBI. BA= .229. One day after hitting 2 home runs, Adames hits 4 singles and right now he's doing it all.
Rafael Devers DH- 2 for 4, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI. BA= .260. I told my Dodger-fan friend today that for the first month or so Devers was a Giant, he looked miserable, like being out there was the last place on Earth he wanted to be. For the last 2-3 weeks, he looks like he's having fun and really digging being a Giant. Do we credit Bob Melvin? Willy Adames? Better health? Better performance? Recovering from the shock of the trade? Whatever the case, I suddenly love the trade.
Dominic Smith 1B- 2 for 3, HR(4), BB, SF, R, 4 RBI. BA= .284. The home run was a splash hit. Dom Smith is a revelation. He's also a free agent at the end of the season. Do the Giants have a role for him going forward?
Luis Matos LF- 4 for 5, HR(8), 3 R, 3 RBI. BA= .222. After he went 1 for 10 in the Cubs series you had to wonder if Matos was just on another of his short-lived hot streaks. Apparently not, as he had a night. I still think Matos is the guy on the 40-man roster with the best chance of becoming a superstar. Stay hot, kid!
Drew Gilbert RF- 2 for 4, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI. BA= .139. I like that if Buster believes in a player he doesn't give up on them after a couple of bad games or 3. Gilbert had at least one other hard hit that was caught. Keep putting him out there and see if he's part of the future.
Robbie Ray LHP- 4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 5 K. ERA= 3.18. The game was televised on Apple+. As Ray was warming up on the mound to start the bottom of the first inning, he suddenly stopped and looked closely at his left middle finger. The trainer came out and appeared to either clip off something or apply something. Ouch! Not sure how much that had to do with Ray's performance but he didn't really look comfortable all evening.
The Win is the Giants 6'th in a row. Carson Seymour RHP tries to keep the streak going against Trevor Rogers LHP who comes in with an ERA of 1.40 in a late afternoon game broadcast on Fox.
at the start of the season i did not have dreams of making the playoffs or the team going on one of those cinderella runs to the WS. no i simply wanted the Giants to finish above .500. can they do it ?!? -es
ReplyDeleteIs it the worst of bad news on Randy RodrÃguez? Apparently multiple doctors have recommended TJ surgery...
ReplyDeleteHard to imagine Rodriguez not having TJ surgery and missing all of next season.
DeleteArgh, hard to imagine him having TJ surgery!
DeleteDoes this add "closer" to the "musts" of the off season?
Will the Giants have to sign a closer?
Can Walker regain his 2024 form?
Can they entice Tyler back?
Doval had another dicey inning finishing the 10-2 Yankee win yesterday allowing a hit and a walk, no Ks.
Targeting an established Closer in free agency almost guarantees a significant overpay and is not guarantee of success in the role as we learned the hard way with Armando Benitez and Mark Melancon. I do think at least one and probably 2 established bullpen arms with closing capability should be on Buster's to-do list in the Hot Stove League.
DeleteI'd rather start the year with Walker at closer if he has a good September. I'd maybe go with Raisel on the cheap as a reclamation project than overpay.
DeleteRay is gonna be on shutdown watch going into September, Should the Giants become mathematically eliminated. Ray is my top shutdown candidate.
DeleteGreaat to see the entire Giant lineup explode. MOre please!
ReplyDeleteAlso Glad to see MATOS power through a little rough patch..LOve to see him keep finishing strong and be part of the OF equation, but one which better have a new starting RF.
Such a shame about RROD..for him and the Giants..Need to give WALKER all the save opps the rest of the year to see if he has regained his mojo..But it's going to be hard to count on for next year...MIght add another key need for the off-season.
SteveVA