Casey Schmitt's 3-run home run and Justin Verlander's Quality Start keyed the Giants win with some help from Spencer Bivens who rescued the 9'th inning from Ryan Walker. Key Lines:
Casey Schmitt 2B- 1 for 3, HR(12), R, 3 RBI. BA= .238. While he will probably never be a walk machine, Schmitt has improved his plate discipline significantly since he broke in and the power is real. If you project his stat line to 600 PA's he hits about 22 HR's which is pretty good for a second baseman. Do Buster and Zach trust that enough to make him the presumptive starting 2B next season?
Justin Verlander RHP- 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 3.85. Verlander recorded a Quality Start and a Win after giving up a pair of solo HR's in the first two innings. Would he resign for another 1 yr/$15 M?
Spencer Bivens RHP- 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(2). ERA= 4.10. Bivens was summoned in the 9'th after Ryan Walker went HR, double, GO(runner advanced to 3B), Walk. Whoa! Bivens came in throwing 97-98 MPH electric gas and looked like an actual Closer. He struck out the first batter he faced them Matt Chapman made a nice catch of a pop-up against the netting for the final out. Obviously not ready to hand him the role just yet but if Bivens can throw that kind of heat with a little rest and a short inning assignment, is he worth a try at Closer?
Logan Webb RHP makes starts the final game of the season with a chance for the Giants to finish with a .500 record. He faces McCade Brown RHP (who?) comes in with a 7.54 ERA.
Schmitt can backup all 4 IF positions if he isn't the starting 2B. given Chapman's age and inevitable declining skills, Schmitt should have a head start in 2026 but he still will have to prove his worth. Koss has made Giant stides this year...
ReplyDeleteMelvin said after the game he wouldn't be surprised if Verlander is offered a two year contract in the off-season. It wouldn't be the most pivotal move, but as a fifth or sixth starter the Giants could do a lot worse!
ReplyDeleteVerlander? How 'bout a 3rd or 4th?
DeleteNo Bevins isn’t worth a try at closer. I think Reggie Crawford is an interesting potential future option at closer
ReplyDeleteReggie Crawford? You do know that he had his shredded shoulder reconstructed last offseason and recent underwent another shoulder surgery? Reggie Crawford will be very fortunate if he ever pitches again at any level let alone becomes a MLB Closer.
Deleteanother bust of a #1 draft, following whiffs on Bishop and Bednar
ReplyDeleteWe have duly noted the failure of multiple first round draft picks under FZ which is probably the single biggest reason his tenure failed. There were some nice picks lower in the draft under his watch and so far there is no reason to believe Bryce Eldridge won't be a star.
DeleteShould we hope FZ's 2024 1st Round pick, Tibbs III, is not a star since he is a member of the Hated Ones? He did very well in AA for them in 168 PAs: .900 OPS
DeleteEldridge will only build on his cup of coffee in the show and make some adjustments for spring training next year. If he has to start 2026 in Sacramento, it doesn't mean he's a bust.
DeleteEldridge seems like a confident young player based on his interviews that he wants to be great. Loved hear that, so his callup the last couple weeks is a good learning experience being around major leaguers and learning the adjustments to his game he needs to make.
DeleteAs far as in-house closer candidates go, I would place Peguero in front of Bivens.
ReplyDeleteGiants had a minor celebration after Flores AB when they replaced him at 1st base in the Top of the 3rd.
ReplyDeleteHe becomes a Free Agent after the WS.
Will the Giants want to sign him?
K&K think so, but should a 96 OPS+ use up a spot?
Perhaps an invite to ST if he isn't signed elsewhere?
Giants are going to have a glut at 1B and DH, aren't they
I think this was most likely Wilmer's final game as a Giant and he was a good one.
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