You've heard the one about how Einstein said the def......? Oh, nevermind! For some reason Tony Vitello thought it was a good idea to bring Ryan Walker into a 1-0 game in the 8'th inning rather than the 9'th. Yes, it still counts as a Blown Save. The Giants predictably went on to lose in extra-innings for both a series and road trip sweep. It doesn't get more rock bottom than this. Key Lines:
Rafael Devers 1B- 1 for 3, 2B, BB, R. BA= .214. I give Devers credit for hustling out a double on a squibber down the 3B line. Beyond that, he's not showing much sign of breaking out of it. I thought Hunter Pence made a good point yesterday about Devers exaggerate open stand which he squares up as the pitch is delivered. It's a timing mechanism and he has to get it down in time. He probably isn't and that's why he's late on fastballs down the middle. Not sure those longer timing mechanisms work in an era when soft-tossers are throwing 92-93 MPH.
Casey Schmitt DH- 2 for 4, RBI. BA= .308. Schmitt continues to be the Giants most consistent hitter on the season. His single drove in Devers to give Tyler Mahle a 1-0 lead in the first inning. They never added to that be Mahle and the bullpen almost made it stand up.
Tyler Mahle RHP- 5.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 5.00. As one of our commenters pointed out, Mahle is in a pattern of alternating good starts. This was a good turn.
Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 0 K. ERA= 4.61. I looked up in the 8'th inning and was shocked and dismayed to find Walker in the game. I texted my friend and asked why he was out there in the 8'th inning of a 1-0 game. Answer: "He's got a growth mindset and is better then Borucki." LOL!
The Giants missed out on an opportunity for a happy flight home. They start a series at home against the Padres tomorrow evening with Trevor McDonald RHP facing Randy Vasquez RHP who comes in with a 2.94 ERA.
Looked this up in Google, analytics in modern baseball advise against spending big on closers and certain starting pitchers since performance isn't as consistent year to year vs other position. They believe in having depth instead. Which approach do you like?. It seems like the Giants are building their bullpen this way, with mixed results, its a work in progress. The Ray's seem to be good with the analytics approach trading last years closer Fairbanks and going with a cheaper closer Baker whom I never heard off. Maybe the Giants can learn something from the Ray's. Walker reminds me of closer they had back in the 80s LHP MarkDavis. He had a 5 wins 12 loss record one year with only 7 saves but they kept bringing him in, drove me crazy since he would always give up. A homerun ball and lose the game, lol!
ReplyDeleteDeveloping Closers from within or acquiring under-the-radar guys who throw hundos is preferable but I am not sure everybody can do it. Bochy was a genius at it. At this point I am pretty sure Vitello is not.
DeleteCatchers often make good managers. More than college coaches...
DeleteThanks Doc, I remembered reading somewhere before that analytics doesn't favor signing expensive closers. When I read the blurb that I Google, I was somewhat surprised to realize this is what the Giants are doing building their bullpen since I thought Buster was brought in to move away from too much analytics that FZ was heading towards when he ran operations. Bullpen has been good except for closer. Maybe Jason Foley, who closed before with the Tigers, could end up closer when he comes back from IL rehab mid-season
DeleteI agree acquiring expensive Closers is generally not a good plan. It worked out with Robb Nen but backfired badly with Armando Benitez and Mark Melancon. Look at Edwin Diaz who the Dodgers signed to a huge contract(They probably don't care because the lefty they signed last year and blew up in their face is back and doing well this year. They probably figure Diaz will be back in time for the postseason or at the latest next year and they can afford to wait). What I think the Buster needs to do is target hard throwers who are currently bullpen arms or AAA pitchers and build up a stable of them hoping one or two will develop into Closer material.
Delete...but if the plan is to win right now, he probably needs to invest some money in the position.
DeleteIs Devers healthy? He had a lower back disk injury last July. Did he reinjury his back? It sure would explain a lot.
ReplyDeleteHe looked healthy running out that double(why do I hold my breath whenever I see Devers run all out?).
DeleteSusan Slusser
ReplyDelete"I’m told both Bryce Eldridge and Jesus Rodriguez are being called up and will be in SF tomorrow."
Susan Slusser said on Twitter that she's being told Bryce Eldridge and Jesus Rodriguez being called up, that's exciting.
ReplyDeleteEldridge, Rodriguez, and possibly Hentges will be up with the team tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteCasey Schmidt continues to hit. He's a homegrown player whom I've always liked. Maybe this is his breakout year, that would be big news!
ReplyDeleteHi Doc. Love your work. I said it before… TV’s handling of Ryan Walker makes me questions his managing skills.
ReplyDeleteIt's being reported that Eldridge and Rodriguez are being promoted for Monday night.
ReplyDeleteRe: Eldridge, for me, and yeah, it's an either/or thing: what is the indicator of MLB success? his BA and OPS, or his K%? i will argue it's his K% and that number is still not good. so more struggles ahead and, well, these are just about desperate times, so i get it. -es
ReplyDeleteThat's the Gordian Knot of hitting. If you want to cut K's, you have to swing at more pitches earlier in counts and look what that's gotten the Giants so far this season. Analytics would say the better predictor of MLb success for Eldridge is his BA and OPS.
DeleteLet's face it, Eldridge is going to be a 3-true outcomes hitter or he's going to be a bust.
DeleteWhile I really hope he exceeds it, I think the mean outcome for Eldridge is Joey Gallo. Who had a great MLB career, and was a very good player at times! But not the franchise altering type player we are all hoping him to be (and maybe some careers are riding on him being).
Delete- Fan
When it comes to hitting prospects, Giants fans are well-conditioned to steel ourselves against disappointment. Joey Gallo is one potential outcome but we really have no idea until we see it play out. Eldridge has the tools to be Wille McCovey too.
DeleteAs frustrated as I am(all of us) with the season, I’m enjoying watching the development of Schmitt. I hope Eldridge’s call up does not come at the expense of playing time for Schmitt. Curious to see how Vitello handles playing time. Feels like someone needs to go…
ReplyDeleteI'd rather watch a bunch of promising youngsters develop and grow at the big league level than a group of high-priced free agents who are past their prime. Let the kids play!
ReplyDeleteBetween Bailey's defense and Susac/Haase offense, C hasn't been a problem area, has it?
ReplyDeleteThe three weakest offensive players (not including Bailey), Chapman, Adames, and Devers, all below 100 (average) OPS+ and all untouchable, the latter two drastically, in the 60s, with Chapman having fallen to 89 on the disastrous 6-game losing road trip.
Encarnacion (at 17 OPS+) is a failed project.
Buster has a big problem, all of his own making...
Bailey's hitting has been so bad he's in negative WAR territory, so yes, Bailey's overall performance is a problem. In fairness to Encarnacion, he hasn't really gotten enough PA's to just whether he is a failed project or not, but based on stat lines and the eyeball test, I think Rodriguez and Bericoto have better hit tools.
DeleteYou have to wonder why Bailey is even playing!
DeleteDon't the Giants need offense more than they need the "best catcher" in baseball?
I know this might be sacrilege but it might be worth sending Bailey down to the minors when Susac comes back. He’s just not going to get the reps at the ML level to fix his swing. I believe pre arb players can be sent down?
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Eldridge is 195 days younger than Will Clark was in the Giants lineup...
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I understand - What else is TV supposed to do with this bullpen??
ReplyDeleteKillen tonight gives up a tater in there 9th nearly blowing the game...and I can't think of another guy who's legit talented enough to close.
Also, who brought the depth of talent into this team? Buster? That's not my take, Farhan oversaw the churn which led to an empty big league bullpen and rotation, and with a bullpen and MiLB system bereft of pitching talent, the manager can only offer opportunities for the guys who are here to step up...
With 3 outs required per pitcher, what else are folks suggesting Vitello should be doing? Miller in the 9th? Tidwell? Three talent needs to step up.
I don't want to see the baby thrown out with the bath water.... TV and Posey need a much longer rope than this.
TV also can't force Devers to hit... I think the team needs to be better around Devers for that to happen.
This has to be one the weirder takes we've had for awhile. I'll post it for that reason alone. What is TV supposed to do? I would say start by not using Walker or Borucki in anything remotely resembling a high-leverage situation and politely ask Buster to supply him with a couple of better pitchers.
DeleteAs for the depth of talent in the bullpen, who traded away Tyler Rogers and Camilo Doval? And yes, Miller and Tidwell should be in the mix for Save Opportunities(although Miller just went on the IL with a back strain).
And I don't agree that bullpen talent is lacking on the farm. Why is Tidwell down there? There is Santos who was recently called up as well as Wilkin Ramos and Michael Fulmer who are pitching well in AAA.