For the first five innings it looked like another game of no run support for Logan Webb but then the Giants lineup erupted for 7 runs in two innings for an easy win. Key Lines:
Dominic Smith 1B- 2 for 5, 2B, 2 R. BA= .285. I've said it before but I'll say it again: Dom Smith is not the player I understood him to be from what I read about him when he played for the Mets. What a smart, professional hitter! Watching him play is one of the few bright spots for the season for me. If he sticks around next season what will his role be? The one downside is defensive limitations. He is quite good at 1B but can't really play anywhere else.
Casey Schmitt 2B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(9), BB, 2 R, 4 RBI. BA= .249. The hitting star of the game with help from Dom Smith. Casey is batting just .200 over his last 7 games but 2 of his 5 hits were HR's and he drew 4 BB's and an HBP in 30 PA's. He's batting .266/.347/.521 with 4 HR in the month of August. He raised his walk rate from 3.5% to 8.4% since last season. His overall batting line feels sustainable and seems like the in-house favorite to start next season as the Opening Day 2B. Oh, and 3-run homers win ballgames!
Luis Matos LF- 2 for 4, BB, SB(4). BA= .200. Matos is 6 for 11 since his return from AAA. Can he show enough ROS to lay claim to a role next season?
Patrick Bailey C- 2 for 5, RBI. BA= .211. A rare productive day at the plate for Bailey who continues to struggle with a bat in his hands. The two hits today were just his 2'nd and 3'rd in his last 7 games. Buster talked last offseason about respecting Bailey's defense but needing to get more offense out of the position. You have to wonder if upgrading the bat at catcher is one of his upcoming priorities. The problem is catcher is slim pickin's around the league. With the O's signing an 8 year contract with Sam Basallo C, could Adley Rutschman C be available? He's having a down year at the plate, but still better than Bailey.
Logan Webb RHP- 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 3.13. Webb threw 94 pitches in 6 innings and didn't have his characteristic GO/AO but still good enough for a Quality Start. The lineup got him some run support just in time for the W.
Robbie Ray LHP tries for a series win against the team with the best record in MLB tomorrow against TBD.
The Best catcher/framer in MLB can't hit enough for a regular job!
ReplyDeleteOTOH, his value will disappear if/when robots call pitches – does the MLBPA have to agree to that?
If the Giants could get enough firepower – a hitting C and another Big Stick – and if the Core can produce (never AND 2 IFs), then Bailey could be an early defensive replacement whenever SF had a "good" lead.
There is certainly a must to get hitting help: pitch and prayer isn't working, especially without much hitting.
Spend, Buster, Spend!
FWIW (nothing), Smith's striking out with the tying run on 2nd base and no outs in the 6th inning epitomizes the Giants since their win down south on Friday the 13th (of June) that put them into 1st place, 12 games over .500 – all high marks of the season.
ReplyDeleteIt's worth nothing because, not only Smith, but Schmitt and Chapman also struck out, so Adames might as well have stayed at 1st!
So goes 2025...
OK OK they were saving it for the 9th!
Delete