Ok, Ok. So the baseball part of this blog has essentially been all Giants, I don't think much is going to change!
How about Sanchez? Incredible. He has given up only 1 earned run in each of the last two games. Both of which he has pitched at least 7 innings. This guy has gone from completely erratic and sometimes amazingly on point, to, pretty much, lights out. Sanchez always had the stuff, laser fastball and sharp slider, but who would have thought that he would have 8 wins on the "lowly" Giants and have less than 4 era? In my wildest dreams.
The only young stud to struggle a bit is Cain. It's helpful to remember, even though he's been in the bigs for a few years now, Timmy is older than him! Lincecum is 24; Cain is 23. I'm so excited for the future of the ballclub. And if Zito pitches like he did against the Indians? The Giants can have an anemic offense and still make the playoffs in the years to come. Granted, it's only one game. But you've gotta like what Barry did out there.
Showing posts with label baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baseball. Show all posts
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Giant's closer, Brian Wilson...
is not good when he's pitching in a non-save situation. The last time he gave up a bunch of runs, he had a huge lead. Wilson had been awesome in the last several outings, bringing down his era. Maybe it's just too different for him when he's not out their to get the save. Something about adrenaline and his environment being different, and he doesn't thrive. Of course, perhaps he should get the job done anyway. Of course. But you can't tell me that succeeding outside your comfort zone isn't sometimes difficult, and therefore, the same can be said for the Giants closer.
Update: This article from the Giants official home reveals that Brian Wilson himself agrees.
Update: This article from the Giants official home reveals that Brian Wilson himself agrees.
Posey update
I hadn't mentioned it yet. I figured it wasn't worth mentioning. If you didn't know, Buster Posey is also FSU's closer. That's right. The top college baseball player, mainly for his hitting and catching prowess, also pitches. The game against The Cardinal on Sat. proved he won't be a pitcher in the big leagues. He gave up one earned run and got one out in his appearance. 6 runs, however, were scored while he was on the mound. Ouch.
We'll see what he and the Seminoles can do against the Hurricane.
We'll see what he and the Seminoles can do against the Hurricane.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Swept
Wow. How do you let someone come into your own yard and win every single game? That's just astonishing. The Giants should feel embarrassed. Their play allowed A's fans to stand up and show off their green and yellow and wave brooms in the air. Of course, if you're for Oakland, you're pumped. How 'bout that Dave Eveland, kid? And Gonzalez, he showed off a great arm in right field, as well as produce the game winning hit. That Haren deal is looking pretty sweet for the A's right now.
Zito!
Ok. Thanks. I just had to get that off my chest. Of course he didn't pitch that badly last Friday - but he didn't do enough to win! Only Vizquel's amazing steal of home brought in a run. It just seems that Barry just can't quite do enough these days.
I'm not giving up on him. That wouldn't be fair or helpful to him. It wouldn't surprise me if the loathsome Giants fans that boo him somehow affect him emotionally and spiritually. People expect him to not do well, so when he pitches it's like he just can't shut the other team down for good. Ok, that's the first time I've combined spirituality and baseball specifically. We'll see if it happens again.
He's a good pitcher who, just a few years ago, was voted the best pitcher in the American League. Here we go, 7-5!
I'm not giving up on him. That wouldn't be fair or helpful to him. It wouldn't surprise me if the loathsome Giants fans that boo him somehow affect him emotionally and spiritually. People expect him to not do well, so when he pitches it's like he just can't shut the other team down for good. Ok, that's the first time I've combined spirituality and baseball specifically. We'll see if it happens again.
He's a good pitcher who, just a few years ago, was voted the best pitcher in the American League. Here we go, 7-5!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
C'mon
"He's good, and the rest of them are fresh," Bochy said. "But if Zito goes nine, that's great."
This quote was reported by Michael Phillips on mlb.com.
Are you kidding me? Giants #75 pitching a complete 9 inning game? Not this year, coach. Are we watching the same thing when he takes the mound on game day. He hasn't even come close this year. Zito barely can pitch 6 innings in a row - if he doesn't get pulled out earlier for acting like a warm-up pitcher, throwing up cantaloupes.
More Giants youth movement news:
Bowker hit a two-run home run today. That makes two in two days. The kids are coming through, and they're making general manager Brian Sabean not look too shabby.
This quote was reported by Michael Phillips on mlb.com.
Are you kidding me? Giants #75 pitching a complete 9 inning game? Not this year, coach. Are we watching the same thing when he takes the mound on game day. He hasn't even come close this year. Zito barely can pitch 6 innings in a row - if he doesn't get pulled out earlier for acting like a warm-up pitcher, throwing up cantaloupes.
More Giants youth movement news:
Bowker hit a two-run home run today. That makes two in two days. The kids are coming through, and they're making general manager Brian Sabean not look too shabby.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Giants youth update
In Giants draft news:
Buster Posey drove in 3 runs on 2 hits, going 2 for 5. While his opponent, and (hopefully) his pro teammate, Conor Gillaspie went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Sabean, I know you're paying attention. Now you need to pay up.
In regular Giants news:
Jonathan Sanchez keeps his winning streak alive by giving up 0 runs against the Nationals - sorry transplanted Bay Area friends now residing in the District and rooting for their new team. John Bowker - the same one who hit home runs in back-to-back games to kick-start his major league career hit a grand salami to put the game out of reach. On a side: I wish he weren't playing first base. He's doing fine, but he came in as a right-fielder. I mean, you can't get rid of Winn yet. He's a great team player, but hopefully he'll continue to hit around .300 and get traded for more young talent. I can't help but think his (Bowker) struggles at the plate, although he is doing ably at around .250, coincide with learning a completely different position. And a very important one at that.
The Giants have won two in a row. But they have their $126 million dollar pitcher on the mound tomorrow. Extremely dicey; Zito is throwing better since his "time" in the bullpen but he's giving up an avg or over 5 1/2 runs per 9 innings.
Buster Posey drove in 3 runs on 2 hits, going 2 for 5. While his opponent, and (hopefully) his pro teammate, Conor Gillaspie went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Sabean, I know you're paying attention. Now you need to pay up.
In regular Giants news:
Jonathan Sanchez keeps his winning streak alive by giving up 0 runs against the Nationals - sorry transplanted Bay Area friends now residing in the District and rooting for their new team. John Bowker - the same one who hit home runs in back-to-back games to kick-start his major league career hit a grand salami to put the game out of reach. On a side: I wish he weren't playing first base. He's doing fine, but he came in as a right-fielder. I mean, you can't get rid of Winn yet. He's a great team player, but hopefully he'll continue to hit around .300 and get traded for more young talent. I can't help but think his (Bowker) struggles at the plate, although he is doing ably at around .250, coincide with learning a completely different position. And a very important one at that.
The Giants have won two in a row. But they have their $126 million dollar pitcher on the mound tomorrow. Extremely dicey; Zito is throwing better since his "time" in the bullpen but he's giving up an avg or over 5 1/2 runs per 9 innings.
Lincecum, et al
Last night Tim Lincecum won his 8th game of the year - pitching 7 innings of one-run ball. Timmy was selected 10th overall in 2006, just two drafts ago. This guy, here we go again, is incredible. He's not a big guy, about 5'9 and well under 200 lbs. In all the games that he has pitched after a Giants loss, the Giants have won. His era is hovering just about 2 runs a game. If he doesn't make it to the all-star game this year, non of the Giants should. Well, ok, Benji could go. He's been fantastic. And I really like Aaron Rowand (who just finally started to get recognition for what he's done on the field this year, as well as the leadership and intensity he brings to their dugout). Rowand had a thigh or hip strain yesterday, he came out in the 6th or 7th, but he's playing with broken ribs and is hitting about .330 - and this after reaching .342 about a week ago! Near the NL leaders, along with Molina.
Anyhow, with this years first-year draft the Giants' future potentially looks great. Lincecum and Cain are still not 25, yet. They have some brilliant relievers in Brian Wilson (ok, hum that Beach Boys song you know and love) and Alex Hinshaw. And don't forget Valdez, on the mend, who finally was given a chance to pitch in the majors and sports an era under 2. The pieces all have to fall into place. But for the Giants, just having the possible pieces to make up a great ball club is more than encouraging. With their first two picks, as mentioned yesterday, the catcher and 3rd base spot may be covered for a long time.
Lately, the Giants are playing better on the road than in their huge, spacious ball park by the bay. Let's see what they can do today, with another young phenom Jonathon Sanchez.
Anyhow, with this years first-year draft the Giants' future potentially looks great. Lincecum and Cain are still not 25, yet. They have some brilliant relievers in Brian Wilson (ok, hum that Beach Boys song you know and love) and Alex Hinshaw. And don't forget Valdez, on the mend, who finally was given a chance to pitch in the majors and sports an era under 2. The pieces all have to fall into place. But for the Giants, just having the possible pieces to make up a great ball club is more than encouraging. With their first two picks, as mentioned yesterday, the catcher and 3rd base spot may be covered for a long time.
Lately, the Giants are playing better on the road than in their huge, spacious ball park by the bay. Let's see what they can do today, with another young phenom Jonathon Sanchez.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Posey & Gillaspie
Buster and Conor. Get used to these names. If Brian Sabean, the general manager for the SF Giants, has any sense, he'll make sure they sign. Get them in the Giants system as soon as possible - please. Watching Gillaspie's sweet line drive swing is just inspiring. He's the 2007 Cape Cod league MVP - they play with wooden bats, in case you're worried about metal-bat avg's. And then there's Buster. Oh, my goodness. This kid just ripped a low change up over the scoreboard. Amazing! He's batting over .450 with 25 hr on a SEC team.
I am so excited. The Giants need some legit minor league talent that can make it big, well, in the bigs. In my mind, if the Giants sign these two, they both can make a huge impact.
Gillaspie at 3rd. Aurilia, I love ya for what you've done and how you've played over the years, but you're not as good as you used to be, and you mostly play first. And Castillo, I appreciate you filling in so ably at the bag, but you're so inconsistent at the plate - you have about 20 doubles, but rarely get one when we need it. Conor looks like he'll constantly put a good swing on the ball, taking what he can get - instead of swinging for the fences.
Buster at catcher. I feel a little bad for Steve Holm, the backup catcher. He's come in the clutch and backed up Benjie really well. But Posey is just so much better - with so much more potential. In a year or two, when Molina isn't as "money", we'll need someone who can hit like he does now, but can score from 2nd. Heck, Buster played all 9 positions the other day. Put him somewhere, anywhere. Just get him on the field. Oh, and in his play-every-position-possible game, he hit a grand-slam. Boy, could the Giants use that.
I can't wait for their signing. Oh, and have you seen the hat Buster's sister is wearing? That's right, the black and orange. Go Giants!!!
I am so excited. The Giants need some legit minor league talent that can make it big, well, in the bigs. In my mind, if the Giants sign these two, they both can make a huge impact.
Gillaspie at 3rd. Aurilia, I love ya for what you've done and how you've played over the years, but you're not as good as you used to be, and you mostly play first. And Castillo, I appreciate you filling in so ably at the bag, but you're so inconsistent at the plate - you have about 20 doubles, but rarely get one when we need it. Conor looks like he'll constantly put a good swing on the ball, taking what he can get - instead of swinging for the fences.
Buster at catcher. I feel a little bad for Steve Holm, the backup catcher. He's come in the clutch and backed up Benjie really well. But Posey is just so much better - with so much more potential. In a year or two, when Molina isn't as "money", we'll need someone who can hit like he does now, but can score from 2nd. Heck, Buster played all 9 positions the other day. Put him somewhere, anywhere. Just get him on the field. Oh, and in his play-every-position-possible game, he hit a grand-slam. Boy, could the Giants use that.
I can't wait for their signing. Oh, and have you seen the hat Buster's sister is wearing? That's right, the black and orange. Go Giants!!!
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