Was it the hitting that wasn't quite good enough to overcome a subpar start by Justin Verlander or was the pitching not quite good enough to overcome the poor hitting? Plenty of blame to go around for another frustrating loss to a team the Giants should sweep. Key Lines:
Christian Koss 2B- 1 for 3, HR(2), R, 2 RBI. BA= .224. Koss gets the start against a RHP over Brett Wisely after Tyler Fitzgerald optioned to AAA Sacramento. In addition to driving in both Giants runs with his home run in the 5'th inning, he made several sparkling defensive plays.
There was a ridiculous play where Heliot Ramos hit a 2-out double down the 3B line with Rafael Devers on 1B. Whether Devers was waved home or he did not get a stop sign, he was thrown out by at least 10 feet at home plate to end the inning.
The Giants managed just 5 total hits in the game.
Justin Verlander RHP- 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.52. Let's see, 3/5 X 9 = 5.40. Yes, not a Quality Start by Verlander who continues to look like he has decent enough stuff but makes too many mistake pitches in the zone.
Ryan Walker RHP(4.35) gave up an insurance run in the 7'th inning. Sean Hjelle RHP(4.22), Spencer Bivens RHP(3.18) and Joey Lucchesi LHP(9.00) each pitched a scoreless frame.
Logan Webb RHP tries to give the Giants a chance for a series win tomorrow evening against Edward Cabrera RHP.
If Verlander doesn't do better in his next scheduled start against the White Sox, how much longer can the Giants afford to keep him in the rotation?
ReplyDeleteWho would they replace him with?
DeleteThere are at least 4 stretched out starters on the Giants 40-man roster in Sacramento but none comes with a guarantee to be better than Verlander.
DeletePerhaps Whisenhunt is the most advanced but he isn't on the 40-man roster and got pounded at home yesterday — not a hearty recommendation!
On this and a related point the KRog Podcast had an interesting discussion this week about the likely inability to rely on youngsters Birdsong and Loupp To fill out the needed innings for the rest of the year, given that they are approaching their historical innings limits. They speculated at acquisitions (Zack Gallen Was prominent) and suggested that Beck annd Hjelle might be stretched out to start a bit. They also don’t know how many innings Are left in Whisenhunt’s Young arm this year, and speculated that Seymour Would be the most likely call up to fillings.
DeleteWhile I definitely don’t expect the Giants to give up on Verlander anytime soon due to the fact that they are trying to make the playoffs and he’s a past veteran ace, at 42 years old it’s clear he’s got little left in the tank. I would much rather see Whisenhunt get a chance. Also wouldn’t mind seeing Carson Seymour too. Not saying they would do any better but it just would make me much more excited to see our young guys pitching over a washed has been. While I think the Verlander signing was good for the Giants simply for the fact that he provides great veteran leadership to the young guys and the clubhouse, Ive been saying ever since he was signed that performance wise he reeks of when the Giants signed Randy Johnson that one year. Old man Johnson, it ended up being his lash season as he was a shell of
Deletehis former past and was very middling before he got hurt midway and retired
Whisenhunt?
DeleteJust like the Giants often come back from bad losses, the Giants of recent years also have a penchant for Face Planting against weak teams even when having the momentum going into a key stretch..No excuse for losing tonight or any game against FLA and the White Sox...But, anytime Verlander takes the mound, you expect a loss....Imagine what the Giants would be if their two big FA's of the off-season were worth just a fraction of their contracts so far...Webb better be perfect tomorrow....
ReplyDeleteAnd if the Giants are serious about the POs this season, they definitely need a vet Starting pitcher (FA to be likely) more than anything else..The kids aren't ready for a PO run
SteveVA
Birdsong and Roupp may reach innings limits before the season ends
DeleteI get the frustrations with Verlander but, he hasn't pitched bad enough for a Whisenhunt call up yet. I'm tired of Ramos getting drilled. If you can't retaliate, I want Ramos to confront the pitcher next time empty the benches but, don't fight.
ReplyDeleteThe schedule does the Giants no favors. They have to take care of business against Miami and the White Sox because the schedule becomes a meat grinder (Arizona, A's Phillies, Dodgers before the break, trip back east to Toronto and Atlanta right after the break). The Giants also have a history of face planting in series right after the break, especially if it involves travel back east. Its going to be especially tough until the end of August, and even teams with losing records like Pittsburgh and Washington cannot be taken lightly.
ReplyDeleteIf ypu remember in 2024 Fitz made the team out of spring training, got little time, was optioned out, wnet on a tear, and came back hot...but this time he likely will be pipped by Schmidt.
ReplyDeleteOn KNBR, they discussed the Devers play. When Devers was running from first to second, he was running well so Matt Williams sent him home on the double. Whether it was his groin injury or he was tired, he was slow when he rounded third and the relays were spot on.
ReplyDeleteI was at the game sitting on the 3rd base side about 30 rows up No way should he have run.
ReplyDelete