A big game from Tyler Fitzgerald was not enough to overcome another subpar start by Logan Webb who seems to have fallen into a pattern of falling behind in the first inning. Key Lines:
Tyler Fitzgerald SS- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(6). BA= .293. Fitz accounted for 2 of the Giants 3 runs with a solo HR and a double that drove in YtY after a triple. Unfortunately the top 4 batters in the lineup combined to go 1 for 15 with a walk and Estrada, batting 6'th, went 0 for 4.
Logan Webb RHP- 6 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 4 K's. ERA= 3.59. Webb is definitely in a rough patch. I've always had this mental picture of his arm hanging by a thread at the elbow but per statcast his FB velocity is steady at 92.5 MPH. His first inning ERA split is 5.57 which is almost 2 full runs higher than his overall average. Maybe he needs an IL stint for R&R when Ray and Cobb are back and they both seem about ready to go.
The Loss drops the Giants to 4 games off the Wild Card playoff pace which is starting to become a daunting deficit to overcome and we're down to less than 2 weeks to the trade deadline.
Hayden Birdsong RHP tries to stave off a sweep in Coors Field today against Ryan Feltner RHP and were the heck is Blake Snell? He last pitched 7 days ago! I guess Melvin is saving him for the Dodgers while getting swept in Coors?
Other than the bull pen meltdown Friday, these were winnable games with a little punch from the top of the lineup.
ReplyDeleteMelvin has his hands full but his insistence on Soler to lead off is a bust: 9 for 50, 1 HR, 21 Ks, .180/.241/.340 makes Fitzgerald's 2 HRs and a 2B in 12 ABs, .333/.385/.917 look like super-power.
Last 15 games (per player): Chapman 10-53, Estrada 6-53, Flores 7-48, Matos 9-43, Conforto 10-42.
Wisely's 13-53 almost looks good. Ramos, Bailey, Wade & Fitz (when the last 2 play) can only do so much.
Should Soler's lead off HR silence that complaint?
DeleteSoler is not an ideal leadoff hitter by any stretch and the fact the guy FZ signed to be the DH is batting there is a failure all by itself.
DeleteAfter Sunday's game it's pretty clear that Fitzgerald is the shortstop.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what has happened to Estrada but I don't think they can carry him. I vote Luciano and Wisely at 2B.
Conforto should be moved for whatever they can get, even if that means eating his salary. I don't see him getting another $18 million next year. I vote Matos and Sabol for LF.
No objections to moving Wade if a good return is available. I like Wade but he appears highly fragile and headed to being a full-time DH. Or they could move Soler (if he's moveable) and keep Wade.
Heck, I'd be OK with moving Chapman if something decent returns. In terms of value I'm not convinced he's worth $18+ million more than Schmitt.
Also need to move or release Luke Jackson. Addition by subtraction. Bring back Bivens.
In short, I'd like to clear out some deadwood and open opportunities for some River Cats to sink or swim. They seem more inspiring. I don't see this as throwing in the towel, though. If Snell finally steadies out, Ray has an impact, and Cobb finally pulls himself together, they might just have a hell of a rotation and if they can scrape their way into a wild card could be downright frightening.
Either way I'