The Giants lineup was not able to support a 5-inning, scoreless start by Matt Wilkinson and once again the Dodgers broke through against the bullpen to complete a series sweep. Key Lines:
Jonah Cox 2B- 0 for 3, BB, SB(14), R. BA= .281. Cox continues to create runs at the top of the order with his speed. He walked to lead off the game, stole 2B and scored on Victor Bericoto's(DH) single. Cox has to play every day and bat leadoff next year, has to! Jung Hoo Lee RF had the only other hit in the game for the Giants and exited the game after fouling a pitch off into his groin area. Ouch!
Matt Wilkinson LHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.65. This was Wilkinson's best start and it comes after a pair of scoreless relief appearances. He should be in the mix either a rotation or long relief role next season.
More sad news for Giants fans as Duane Kuiper announced he has throat cancer and has started treatment. He plans to be in the booth with Mike Krukow for Kruk's last game as a commentator. Kuip hopes to be back next season. Wish both of them the best but it seems pretty clear that a whole era of Giants broadcasting is coming to a close.
The Giants return home for their final homestand with Blade Tidwell RHP taking the mound tomorrow evening Zebby Matthews RHP who comes in with a 4.74 ERA. Hmm....I wish the Giants had a player named Zebby.
Jonah Cox reminds me of former Giant Dan Gladden . Both have similar skills. Gotta give FZ credit trading for him. Wishing Duane Kuiper a speedy and complete recovery. Glad he's optimistic about the treatment
ReplyDeleteAs soon as they turned the game over to Seymour, I said to myself, he'll lose this lead in about 20 pitches. I was wrong. It only took him 7 pitches to lose the lead. Great job by Cox to pretty much will that first run and early lead.
ReplyDeleteThe sad news about Duane Kuiper overshadows the wins and losses. With his buddy Krukow retiring at the end of this season, it is pretty clear where this is going to go in the future.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about Cox! Shoulda played a LOT more THIS season...the SBs and bunts -- for hits or sacs -- are very useful for a team that been trying to becime "more athletic" for a long time.
ReplyDeleteThe 2026 Giants are the baseball equivalent of Job
ReplyDeleteGood analogy!
DeleteIt does seem that the baseball gods have left the Giants to fend for themselves, with Buster cast as Job.
100%. agree on Jonah Cox. Saddened by Duane Kuiper's situation. I wish him the best, from my POV, he should retire and spend time with his family. Being who he is, he may want to keep broadcasting, even if it is on a part time basis.
ReplyDeleteThe Dodgers are solid in every aspect of the game, ranking among the top teams in hitting, pitching, and fielding. Nothing but bad luck can stop them, or extremely good luck for their opponents.
ReplyDeleteIn baseball, sustained $$$ investment in over many years can defeat bad luck.
Weak anywhere? Invest more.
I do not believe every MLB team has the capability of throwing huge amounts of money at every roster weakness like the Dodgers.
DeleteAgreed, the Mets did try, not to the extent of the Dodgers, and other teams have spent a lot over a few years, but no team has sustained the investment as the Dodgers have since they reset their tax penalty in 2018 (they had been in penalty for years before that) and have escalated to the point that their penalties alone are greater than most MLB teams ($169.4M Luxury Tax alone last year)!
DeleteThe MLBPA is adamantly opposed to any cap whatsoever and there will be blood flowing this Winter.
OTOH, Tampa Bay is able to compete, at least to getting to the Playoffs although they can't seem to get the Prize. How about David vs Goliath in the 2026 World Series? We know where the "smart money" will go on that!
Personally, at 87 yo in 2027, still hoping to see the Giants compete, but will it be even be this decade?
"The Giants announced they’ve selected outfield prospect Bo Davidson onto the MLB roster and activated Marcelo Mayer from the 10-day injured list. San Francisco shut down Jung Hoo Lee with a groin contusion and placed rookie first baseman Bryce Eldridge on the seven-day concussion list. Eldridge’s placement is retroactive to September 18, so he could theoretically return for the final series of the season."
ReplyDeleteWith Webb sidelined, Roupp will probably be the innings leader.
ReplyDeleteWhodda thunk?
And Lee sidelined? The Giants will end the season without the players on the field who began the season.
Unfortunately, 2026 won't easily be forgotten.