Manager Gabe Kapler may have left Giants ace Kevin Gausman RHP in 1 batter too long and a sensational start went for naught as the Giants went on to lose the battle of new extra-inning rules. Game Notes:
As mentioned, Gausman was sensational for 8 innings, striking out 12, walking none while featuring a well commanded fastball and a devastating split change pitch that faded down and away to LH batters. Unfortunately the BABIP gods took over in the 9'th inning with couple of soft flyballs that fell in for hits to put runners at first and third. Jake McGee LHP came in and gave up another BABIP special on grounder right that beat the shift. Tie game. McGee struck out the next 3 batters. I guess it's tough to argue that Gausman was not the best pitcher available to face the second batter, Kevin Newman, but the orthodox call would be to bring in McGee after the first baserunner reached, no matter how BABIPy is was.
Brandon Crawford SS was almost the hero again as he brought back memories of another HR a few years ago with a blast to RF to take the lead in the 8'th inning.
Doc, I have to say; yes very please generally with the season to date. The 3 B's are having great starts to the season. Gotta love the performance of the pitching staff,
ReplyDeleteThat said I am not sold on Kape's in game management and use of relievers. I would have left Duggar i and taken Tauchman out. In a game like that you want your best D in there. And of late Duggar's bat is showing real life! That is IMHO!!
Richard in Winnipeg
Yep and right now Duggar is a better hitter than Tauchman anyway.
DeleteIf these starting players/batting position are added to the 1st 3 cited above:
ReplyDeleteLongoria @ #4 (0-4 2 K's)
Flores @ #6 (0-3 1 K)
Duggar @ #8 (0-1 1 K)
the 6 Giants starters went 0-22 9 K's 0 BB's.
The entire offense was Slater and the Brandons (3-10 2 R, 2 K, 1 BB) against a team in the lower half of most ML pitching statistics using 6 different pitchers.
Never prolific, the Giants have settled into a low scoring mode for the last 5 games winning 3 when scoring 3 or 4 runs, losing 2 scoring a total of 3 runs.
Historically, road teams scoring 1 or 2 runs have a probability of winning a game of less than .1 and ~.2, respectively.
That said, winning 3 of 5 (.600 PCT) the rest of the season will result in 97 wins which most likely lands a playoff spot. That only requires the pitching to remain as good as it has been.
Sure would be nice if someone other than Posey (and Solano when he comes back) would hit higher than .260 (after Longoria's en fuego start, he's now at .252).
BTW Doc, sorry to appropriate your "en fuego" without adequate attibution. I used your "Search This Blog" feature to see how often you've used it. Seems it 12 times since 2010.
DeleteI don't claim it.
DeleteThis is just a guess, but methinks the Giants have to fix the 'pen.
ReplyDeleteBut ONE guy ain't the fix.