If at some point in the future we look back on the moment the Giants season fell apart, yesterday might emerge as a leading candidate. Starting a 4 games series against a very good team they beat in Milwaukee a short time ago, they were forced into a bullpen game after the scheduled starting pitcher, Johnny Cueto RHP, was scratched at the last minute and another starter, Alex Wood LHP, went on the IL after testing positive for COVID. That they made a game of it against the pitcher who may have the best stuff they've faced all season is a testament to this team's resilience but resilience may not be enough as they are rapidly running out of starting pitcher depth.
This loss came with a large helping of BABIP bad luck as the Giants hitters smacked rocket after rocket right into the gloves of Brewers defenders. Oh, and the home plate ump was absolutely terrible! Still, the state of the starting pitching is worrisome and it appears doomed barring a surprise or two coming out of the flurry of waiver wire claims. Jose Quintana LHP is the latest and we'll have to hope the Giants coaching staff finds a quick fix.
Discouraging for sure, but it is an amazingly resilient team to date..and they've given us far more than we could've expected in March...yet, of course we want more! Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteHome plate ump Stu Scheurwater isn't even the worst of this crew - on 3B was Ángel Hernández last night and he'll work around to confuse balls and strikes before this series is over.
ReplyDeleteGiants are in a particular difficult part of the schedule - fortunately the Mets folded before the Giants played them, but since August 16th it's been Mets, A's, Mets, Braves, Brewers, and Dodgers.
Unless San Diego resurrects themselves, only a 3-game series with Atlanta at home is between LA this weekend and the finish line.
Discouraging to enter September today and potentially lose 1st place for the first time since gaining it on May 31st – 3 full months in 1st in the West and much of it 1st in MLB.
ReplyDeleteIt can be turned around with 3 @ home against LA but facing LHP for the next 4 games is uphill with the righties not doing so well (except Ruf & Bryant). The 5th game is against Buehler, their best – could almost wish for Kershaw.