Logan Webb RHP had his worst start in recent memory, maybe the worst in his MLB career and failed to get out of the 3'rd inning. There really isn't much else to say about this game except the offense and Sean Manaea LHP weren't much better.
The loss dropped the Giants 4 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. The D'Backs, Phillies and Marlins all lost to so the Giants remain tied with the D'Backs for the first Wild Card playoff spot while the Reds take over the 3'rd spot 0.5 games behind the Giants and D'Backs.
Tomorrow is getaway day and the Giants should be looking for a win to make the flight home a happy one, but they have one more stop on this seemingly endless road trip, a make-up game in Detroit against the Tigers. Tomorrow looks like a bullpen game against Mackenzie Gore LHP. This is a team that feels like it needs a metaphorical shot in the arm and perhaps some tough decisions need to be made. We are closing in on the 2/3 mark of the season and too many veterans are still underperforming and too many kids are struggling to make the adjustment after the league got a book on them. Can FZ afford to wait until the deadline to make a deal or deals? That's still, what? 8 days away? 8 games at a critical juncture can determine a season in MLB.
Churn Watch: Luke Jackson RHP was activated from the IL. Mauricio Llovera RHP was designated for assignment. An no, this move is not the "shot in the arm" I was referring to.
Schmidt needs to go down and get his confidence back. Health is always an issue so can’t be an excuse but this team
ReplyDeleteDoesn’t work unless they can get their matchups. I would be ok with them being sellers there are plenty of teams that would take Cobb and Wood and even Manea. Davis and Conforto could get back a few more pieces. They have bullpen arms that could fetch possibly the best prospects of them all. Not sure there is a trade out there that could give them a fighting chance in the playoffs if they make them so why waste prospects?
If the season ended today, the Giants would be in the playoffs and will likely still be close on July 31. They are almost certainly going to be buyers but I could see FZ doing his hybrid thing where he is both a buyer and seller.
DeleteWe have to remember that no matter what happens the next 2 games, this has already been a better road trip than we might have projected just looking at the schedule at the beginning of he season or at the beginning of the trip.
DeleteTheir pitching staff is getting healthier which is good, but some deserving arms are gonna be left off the roster (Beck, Winn). They currently have 6 short relievers (Doval, Rogers brothers, Jackson, Alexander, Walker. I think it's better to have 7-8 short relievers to give more options late in games. They currently have 7 pitchers who can start or bulk relieve (Webb, Cobb, Stripling, Wood, DeScafani, Manaea, Junis). They'll need to make a tough decision when Brebbia comes off the IL. Send Walker down , maybe Dfa Junis ($2.8 mil salary), Wood makes $12 mil, so gotta swallow hard. DeScafani, Stripling and Manaea have 2024 contracts so they'll be back. Cobb has a 2024 club option, which they should pick up Don't see a spot for Winn and Beck unless injuries pop up, too bad liked the staff better with them on it.
ReplyDeleteDFAing junis would be the best route to go and try to attach manaea in a trade package
DeleteFZ may not want to but, he may have to make a trade right now even if it has to be an overpay. the team morale seems a little low right now.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm thinking. They need a middle infielder yesterday so they can send Schmitt down to work on pitch selection in general and recognizing sliders in particular. They are also getting to a point where FZ needs to stop worrying about depth in the rotation and get the best 5 he can get out there. That likely means he has to trade for at least 1 SP and I am quite sure there are at least two SP/Bulk Inning guys taking up roster space that Beck and Winn would be upgrades on.
DeleteMatt Duffy, anyone?
DeletePlease, Farhan, NO BAD TRADES!
ReplyDelete2021 was a net good: Bryant made the difference to finish ahead of LA for the division title and he was the BEST Giant in the NLDS. Without the bad umpire call that ended Game 5, who knows what might have happened.
The loss of Canario might be felt down the road - he's MLB's #10 in the Cubs' system - but if the Giants do no worse than that in the next 8 days, 2023 will bloom in 2024 and beyond.
Opener got blasted again today. The opener thing that Kapler is doing is clearly not working out. It obviously effects the starter aka the guy who gets designated as a bulk starter. You could tell they all hate it. Kap does opener for his crappy pitchers which is the whole rotation except Webb and (at the moment) Cobb. Every time he does openers, the guys who are supposed to be starters who are being pigeoned into being bulk inning relievers do horrible. Mannea, Strippling, Wood, and Disco are massively failing in this bulk inning role. Beck did pretty good with his limited opportunities, but bulk inning is a joke. Why bring in the starting pitcher when the game is already over? You have to know that the starting pitchers HATE the bulk inning role and it’s absolutely ruined their morale and hurts chemistry.
ReplyDeleteIf you look at the Giants record in "Opener" games it' pretty hard to argue with the results(more positive than negative). I am not going to presume to know what the players think of it. I am sure some hate it and others are others are more accepting. I agree that starters generally think they should start and are more comfortable in that role.
DeleteGotta give the Nats credit, they had the Giants # this weekend, opener or not. They even knocked out Webb in the 2nd inning. I was surprised DeScafani came in with 2 out 2 runners on, starters usually start the inning. Nats caught the Giants at the right time at the tail end of a long road trip.
DeleteHonestly think it's been an intriguing season , hope Giants can find another pitcher for next year. Hopefully young players season well for next year.
ReplyDelete