The Giants have had some spectacular bullpen meltdowns over the years. I suppose if I think long and hard enough this one might not make the top 10 but wow, that was an implosion! Game Notes:
So, the first Burning Question I posed yesterday was, "Is Kevin Gausman RHP an ace?" Well, he sure pitched like one in this game: Shutout ball for 6 innings. 1 runs allowed in 6.2 IP with 4 baserunners. If he keeps pitching like this, he'll win his share of games although I am not overly sanguine about FZ and Kap solving their bullpen situation. I mean, you get what you pay for.
4 players hit solo HR's, Austin Slater LF, Alex Dickerson PH/LF, Evan Longoria 3B, Buster Posey C. Longoria keeps his hot spring going into the season. When was the last time you saw Buster pull a ball over the LF fence?
Donovan Solano 2B and Wilmer Flores DH had 4 hits between them, 3 doubles.
YtY looked like his hand was not 100% which made him overmatched at the plate. If that is the case, it might be better to give him a few more days to get right. He's their best player when healthy, but he's not helping when he looks like he did last night.
Bullpen: You had to have a feeling this was all headed south about one batter into Jarlin Garcia LHP's appearance. All I can say is I don't think the current group is quite this bad and I'm pretty sure this is not the bullpen they are going to finish the season with. IMO, they did not even bring their best options north out of spring training due to FZ's obsession with inventory preservation. I get inventory preservation, but that only works if the inventory you put on the shelf is as good or better than what you keep in the warehouse.
*************************************************************************************
The Giants face another LHP in Game two tonight with Johnny Cueto RHP looking to re-establish himself as an ace against Yusei Kikuchi LHP.
This game was a perfect microcosm of why FZ's strategies in building a team are flawed. Offense looked great, the one year deal you gave Gausman looks good (should have figured out how to get him on a multi year but oh well), and the defense and bullpen looked like they were an afterthought! I am glad the baseball gods enjoy reminding him that baseball isn't played on a spreadsheet and you can't short cut your way to success by shopping for key bullpen spots at the dollar store. After missing out on the playoffs last year by one game (11 blown saves) just to have the first game of the season give you a smack in the face reminder of why you need to actually spend money on your bullpen was priceless. Bobby Evans basically lost his job because of not figuring out the closer position yet FZ has an entire bullpen that stinks and he gets a pass.
ReplyDeleteIncredible output by the Giants, bummer about the bullpen but I don't expect that to be the ongoing narrative this year.
ReplyDeleteHowever, WHAT A GAME by the Giants offense and by Gausman.
I'm posting this as a question to DrB or any other commenters here:
What pitcher does Gausman remind you of, from Giants past?
Watching him on his first night, mechanically and stylistically, he reminded me very much of a former Giants Ace, who was also right handed, and like Gausman was also pulled into the org after having a previously good but unremarkable earlier career - only to suddenly flash and become a rotation staple for man years with Ace-features.
Gausman pitches like he did last night or anything resembling it, Zaidi is going to get him long term before the season is up.
Jason Schmidt.
DeleteGaylord Perry?
DeleteAnon#1 nailed it. Jason Schmidt was the pitcher who flashed into mind watching the game yesterday.
ReplyDeleteWatching Gausman, his delivery and sneaky fastball and excellent wipeout changeup.. Just feel like his sudden dominance with the team is very Schmidty-esque. Even looking at a picture of his stretch as he delivers looks just like Jason side-by-side.
Anyways, I thought that was cool and wanted to share. May he have such dominance with us!