I can write up this with 3 words: Shark got Cained. Key Lines:
Jeff Samardzija RHP- 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's, GO/AO= 10/3. ERA= 3.44. Just a few stats: This was Shark's 5'th start of 7 or more innings and his 10'th QS. His ERA over 4 games in August is 1.85 after a 2.09 in 6 July starts.
*********************************************************************************
The Loss drops the Giants to 5.5 games behind the Cubs for the second Wild Card playoff spot. Gotta think it's not a great bet that they will overcome that deficit. I guess you have to say the Cubs were the better team but how much better? Giants lose the 3 games by a total of 4 Runs. In one game they scored 11 runs and lost by 1 run. In the next, they allowed just 1 run and lost by 1 run. As Vin Scully would say, "go figure!"
*********************************************************************************
The Giants get a rare Friday off at home before starting a 2-game road series in Oakland which allows them to sleep at home.
*********************************************************************************
Comments on Comments:
I agree with the commenter who is happy with the season. An emotional roller-coaster for sure, but that's what makes the game fun. It's been fascinating to see Farhan Zaidi's roster churn strategy in action. I can't say I am completely on board with it or with him as GM, but he's uncovered some gems, particularly Mike Yastrzemski, and how great is it to witness the grandson of a Hall of Fame player from when I was a kid have a breakout season of his own? I continue to believe that with a better offseason this team could have gotten off to a much better start and might well be higher in the standings. A stronger offseason would not have precluded the roster churning and dumpster diving to upgrade the marginal roster spots. I also believe he failed in an attempt to have it both ways at the trade deadline and ended up with a weaker team for this year although dumping Melancon's contract creates flexibility for next season and he made some interesting prospect acquisitions. So far, Zaidi's performance as GM is inconsistent but with some optimism that some of his moves have laid the groundwork better ones in the future. And yeah, it's been a fun season so far.
There is plenty of blame to go around for last night's 12-11 loss. You cannot hang it on any one player and the pitching deserves the lion's share of the blame, but Austin Slater did get thrown out at 3B by about 10 feet and the next batter did hit a double and the Giants did lose by 1 run. Just sayin'.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This season has been a pleasant surprise and fun to follow, considering it started with Connor Joe as a starting outfielder. The roster churning has been too much at times, but it's help create org depth. Just my opinion, but I'm ok with Zaidi's trades at the deadline because those trades were made to help 2019 and beyond. That seems to be his plan this season, so I don't think he failed at all. The Dbacks have a similar record as the Giants and made similar trades to help their future led by Grienke traded to Astros for 4 prospects. The big question is does Zaidi think the 2020 team will be good enough to justify spending money on bigger free agents and trading his better prospects to acquire good players even rentals?
ReplyDeleteAfter a torrid July the Giants gained 5 games in the wildcard race (they went from 7 games out on July 1 to 2 games out on July 31). The post-season door is still open a crack but it's going to be a huge battle to eliminate the current gap.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to trade everyone - So I disagree with Zadi there. But I'm glad we didn't go for the big FAs (didn't want Harper even though we tried). I agree with guys like Adam Jones, he just missed on other small deals like Parra or didn't give them enough time.
ReplyDeleteWe need to identify some young players while we wait for the bloated contracts to expire. Getting rid of Melancon was huge. Shark looks to be worth his contract, and hopefully Cueto can provide a boost. But Longo (playing well now), Crawford, Belt, and sad to say even Posey aren't worth the big money they are getting, and only getting older. Next year will probably be much of the same, with 2021 being a year we have a bunch of cash to spend with an influx of young talent coming up.
the good news is the bad contracts off the books in 2021, the bad news is that the mlb may be in a lockout in that year
Deletere MLB strike - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/gabe-lacques/2019/02/22/mlb-collective-bargaining-agreement-strike/2948101002/
DeleteAlso 2020 is a stacked draft, I wouldn't mind losing a few more games to slide into the top 10..
ReplyDeleteI have been impressed with the job Farhan has done since taking over and I am optimistic with his direction going forward. Although he could possibly have done more in the preseason he was somewhat new at that point and trying to assess exactly what he had and he was also restricted by the many bad contracts which were difficult to move. I would like to more of an emphasis on drafting players who can make consistent contact. Bishop and Bart are concerning.
ReplyDeleteLongoria could be moved this offseason - he redeveloped his value this year. Can't see anyone wanting Belt Posey or Crawford's contract without some sweetener like kicking in salary or including a good prospect (good news is we've got some good prospects to offer now...). Bumgarner, Samardjiza and Cueto would be a top quality SP core - I'll bet on Shaun Anderson and Logan Webb to round that out.
ReplyDeleteFound on KNBR site: a short article on Slater. "To get Austin Slater’s bat in the lineup, he’ll have to pick up a new glove.
ReplyDeleteApart from three innings at second base, Slater has only played the outfield this season at the major league level. Farhan Zaidi suggested that may change.
“[Bruce] Bochy’s trying to think of different ways to get him in the lineup, not just against left-handed pitching. He’s hit them very well, but he’s done well against righties, too,” Zaidi said on KNBR’s “Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks” on Thursday. “The at-bat quality is there, he’s gotten some really big hits for us. And he’s played really good defense in the outfield.
“…One thing I think we’re gonna have to take a look at — it may not happen this year — he’s obviously got some experience in the infield at first base and second base. That may be another way to get him at-bats going forward.”
Slater has starred this month, typically in the lineup against lefties but slashing .266/.390/.484 against righties. Last year the Giants played him 21 games at first, the season before one game at third. He saw time in the outfield, at first, second and third at Triple-A Sacramento this year. For next season and perhaps the end of 2019, first base would make the most sense.
“He’s been a revelation for us,” Zaidi said.
In 107 at-bats, the 26-year-old is slashing .299/.409/.542 with four home runs and 20 RBIs."