The Yankees dominated the Giants in every phase of the game jumping on Logan Webb for all 7 of their runs, 6 earned, while completely shutting down the Giants lineup. Key Lines:
Logan Webb RHP- 5 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 7 K's. ERA= 10.80. Mike Krukow thought Webb was tipping his pitches in the second inning. Krukow knows pitching and I thought of that myself as the Yanks teed off on pitch after pitch. He also did not command his pitches well. One more angle which may or may not have any connection: Webb has been rocked in both appearances after coming back from the WBC in which he pitched very well and showed no sign of injury. Webb has a long history of early season struggles but this was the worst. Hopefully he figures it out before his next start.
In the end it probably didn't matter how badly Webb pitched as the lineup managed just 3 hits, 2 walks, HBP and E and never came close to threatening to score after the first inning. That should not happen to a lineup as high-priced as the Giants. It continues to happen way too often and calls into question Buster Posey's roster construction, especially the players with 9-figure, long-term contracts.
The Giants get a day to think about this one. Robbie Ray LHP, the Giants best pitcher in in spring training, takes the mound Friday afternoon facing Cam Schlittler RHP in game 2 of the season.
I was disappointed by their sloppy defense, too. Adames really didn't show much range at SS. And he keeps swinging for the fences ... oh well, it was only one game. Maybe they were tired playing in 100+ degree heat ... they sure didn't look sharp!
ReplyDeleteI hope Wash invited Adames to extra IF drills this morning.
DeleteAfter this giant non-performance, the 2nd biggest disappointment was Judge not striking out in the 9th.
ReplyDeleteApart from that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
ReplyDeletelosing is one thing; getting shutout is worse; getting shutout on opening day before a sellout crowd vs the yankees, wells that's really really bad. and yes i worry about the questionable range of the SS and 2b. -es
ReplyDeleteWell, that was pretty much an embarrassment on National TV.. Was hard to watch. Webb had a bad game but that won't continue. No worries there. OTOH, the lineup and OF needed another big bat, not Bader in my opinion and to depend less on the streaky Adames and Chapman. But squeezed out Posey's previous moves and money. Personally, I think there are question on every OF and the depth is just not there. Not even thinking about last night's game but this season can be torpedoed by the OF and the mishmash of the bullpen.
ReplyDeleteThat said, the bullpen was the big positive last night. They looked good and hopefully Winn and KIlian will gain confidence after last night and Brubaker can be a good middle inning long man that will be much needed. You never know about bullpens.
SteveVA
There's a spark missing from this team and has been for several years now. It feels like we could sign above average players like Adames and Chapman til the cows come home and there's still something missing. Taking the 2010's as a comparison Buster Posey was that central figure that everything spun off of, and we just don't have "that guy" right now. Although the Tampa Rays are an example of having no "hero" but excellent roster building, so maybe my theory doesn't always apply. But in any case there is a lack of spark or pure devotion to winning with the team. I love Adames but his care free and kind of cocky attitude often rubs me the wrong way, it's like he's just happy to be a solid major leaguer and winning would be nice but not necessary. And it feels like that's kind of the general attitude with the team. I'm being maybe overly harsh on them though. I think also having the Dodgers with the mega star Ohtani and surrounded by a bounty of all stars as your rival HAS to be doing something psychologically to the Giants right now. And there be nothing we can do but wait until this Dodgers era runs its course before we can have our time again.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunate...
ReplyDeleteReminder: It is ONE game of 162.
ReplyDeleteAlso: good pitching shuts down hitting.
And, from A.I.:
The 2025 San Francisco Giants struggled significantly against left-handed pitching, finishing with a17-28 record against them. They ranked among the worst in MLB against southpaws, posting a .214 batting average, a .631 OPS, and accumulating 400 strikeouts against them throughout the season.
Since Arráez is LHB, is Bader is supposed to change that?
Yes, I am fully aware it is just one game. That is why I am not too worried about Logan Webb. This is not new for the hitting which continues to struggle, or not struggle if you will, against better than average pitching. That should not be the case with a lineup including as many high-priced players as the Giants.
DeleteI disagree with the post above that says the spark is missing. Willy Adames is a spark with his enthusiasm for his teammates and the game.I think Willy could be that guy. Arraez brings a great attitude being new to the team (see WBC).. I could go down the list of players who bring it to the team: Chappy, Webb, Robbie Ray, Bailey, etc. Thing to keep in mind for all mlb teams is although this is a team game, there is a lot of money to be made based on individual performances. What you might be perceiving is the culture of all mlb teams. I feel winning has a lot to do with team chemistry. Win and players will jive. Losing and keeping the faith is the part that is tough. Check back in at the half-way point of the season.
ReplyDeleteI agree it's a long season and it's just one game but this game felt way too much like way too many games last season.
DeleteI didn't see the game but know Max Fried is an ace pitcher. The Yankees paid a ton of $ to sign him for a reason. Maybe this game might suggest to the Giants that maybe they should reconsider their comments to the press that its too risky and not worth spending big $ on ace pitchers. Corbin Burnes was reportedly interested in signing with the Giants but they made him a lowball offer if I remember. It worked out since Burnes had TJ.. They talked to Framber Valdez but his price was too high for them. I think they'll have to spend $ on an ace one day since Logan Webb can't pitch for them forever.
ReplyDeleteSpending $44,000,000 for Jordan Hicks was a "biggish" number for the Giants.
DeleteHe pitched in yesterday's game for the White Sox:
2 outs, 2 hits, 4 walks, 3 ERs for an ERA of 40.50
FWIW, James Tibbs III in Spring Training: 57 PAs, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HRs, .313/.386/.667/1.053, non-roster who didn't make the MLB but his team thinks he'll get called up this year.
Also I think Cam Schlitter is a talented young pitcher that's on my fantasy team. The Giants may have a hard time hitting him tomorrow but you never know thats why they play the game.
ReplyDeleteIf the Giants get shut out today AND if Ray gets beat up in the 2nd (or 3rd or 4th or ...), then (and maybe NOT even then), we'll have somthig to worry about, or even to think hard.
ReplyDeleteAnd BTW, Webb was not the only WBC ace pitcher to get beat up on Opening Day.
Paul Skenes was knocked out in the first inning against the New York Mets, with ⅔ of an inning, ERA 67.50!
DeleteNick Pivetta (Padres) struggled early, giving up a five-run first inning.
Cubs' Opening Day meltdown from Matthew Boyd tied to WBC curse!
I think the Giants will play better today and it should be a closer game. Not worried about Webb, just find the comments about not wanting to spend on ace pitchers interesting. . Paul Skenes gave up 5 runs to the Mets and didn't get out if the 1st inning , centerfielder Onell Cruz misjudged 2 fly balls which didn't help. Heard a comment from FP Santangelo that a Nats pitcher told him off the record that pitching in the world baseball classic messed him up that season. Also Giants made the right move sending Bryce Eldridge down for a little while. They need for him to come up and be a permanent fixture in the lineup. Luis Matos being DFA is another player development failure by the org.
ReplyDeleteYou have to wonder why the Giants official scorer gave Caballero a hit in the 2nd inning when Adames had 2 ways to get the out IF he can get the ball out of his glove.
ReplyDeleteDid someone not want to give Adames a 2nd error in 2 games?
If the Giants get shut out again, Eldridge might be up next week
ReplyDelete