I know us Giants fans instinctively hedge our bets when we talk about the season they are having. Despite winning 3 World Series last decade(yes, that was last decade), we still have an inferiority complex when it comes to the Dodgers who were supposed to be running away with this race by now. There is still a big part of us that thinks this all might be mirage and the team will collapse after the All-Star Break....wait, what? Oh! OK! Maybe they'll collapse during the dog day of August or during the stretch run in September. Yes, either or both of those things could easily happen but lets stop, take a breath and appreciate what just went down here.
The Giants just played the team now tied for the second best record in MLB, the Astros, and the team with the 4'th best record in MLB, the Dodgers, 10 out of their last 13 games. The Giants went 7-3 in those 10 games including 5-2 against the second place team in their own division which is the same team that MLB gave the #1 power ranking to coming out of the trade deadline. Take that, Dodgers!
Speaking of the trade deadline, the Dodgers got a couple of very good players in Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, but the Giants made a pretty good trade of their own in acquiring Kris Bryant who made an immediate impact on the Giants lineup in his debut today.
If it comes down to a postseason series, the Dodgers and Astros know the Giants can hang with them.d
What is clear about the Giants' magic is that somehow the coaching staff has made EVERY PLAYER on the roster into the best version of themselves. Just imagine if there is more to be found in KB?
ReplyDeleteYeah- that inferiority complex-hate it. I remember when the Dodgers had bad Management/Ownership a few years back I really enjoyed watching them self destruct. Too bad the new Management is so darn effective- and lucky. However- I believe Farhan and Co. puts us at least on even ground with decision making and maybe a little ahead because of the determination they have to check every nook and cranny for talent. Brian Sabean did some great things obviously but I think some things changed and Farhan’s more modern approach is what is needed and He really might be the “smartest guy in the room” that I’ve seen written about him.
ReplyDeleteGood Sports Illustrated article on why the still highly favored Dodgers might not win the 2021 world Series: How Baseball's Superteam Can Still Be Stopped
ReplyDeletehttps://www.si.com/mlb/2021/08/02/dodgers-playoffs-max-scherzer-deadline-the-opener
#1 reason according to SI: The Giants!
Dodgers did get a splendid pitcher in Scherzer, but in terms of our expectations he is very likely a replacement for Bauer, whom we had figured them to have. According to press reports, a great many Dodgers don’t want Bauer back, and influential LA columnists have urged the team to get rid of him. Ds did gain Trea Turner, but I don’t know how much better in 2021 he makes them: Seager is back at SS, and to put Turner at 2B means moving Muncy to 1B, benching Pujols. My sense is that we improved far more than they, at profoundly less cost.
ReplyDeletewell, I have to say that I have been coming more to appreciate what Farhan has assembled. Feeling buoyant with the likes of Belt, Lastella and Longoria coming back.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am not sure I want to see Belt taking playing time away from Ruff or Wade.
Aside from Sanchez is there any one from the farm who could help our pitching staff?
Richard in winnipeg
What Farhan Zaidi has seemed to prove, inheriting a loser, 73-89 in 2018, with next to nothing in production from drafted Giants, he can build a contender.
ReplyDeleteWin or lose in 2021, with no expectations @ Game 1, the Giants ARE, at this writing, the BEST team in baseball.
With the Dodgers wanting to compete by giving up excellent prospects for what? Trey Turner when they had Seager (for 2021)? Sherzer when they "had" Bauer?
Problematic to resign the "youngish" Seager, the Dodgers actually have an old team, only Betts, Smith, and Bellinger are under 30.
Beuler and Urias are "young."
The Future is the Giants.
Getting Belt, La Stella and Longoria back is also like getting a trade bonanza. I can hardly believe what the G-men have done with so many guys out.
ReplyDeleteDrB - with Kris Bryant now in the fold, how would you rank the re-signing priority for 2022 among Bryant, Gausman, Crawford and others?
ReplyDelete