By Brad Morrison
Bochy moved Matt Cain back to the number 2 spot because, as a fly ball ground ball pitcher, AT&T is certainly a flyball pitchers friend; much more so than Arlington. This proved itself out no less than three times when two certain homers in Texas and one maybe homer, were two were fly outs and the first one was a shot off the top of the wall that bounced back into the yard and Torres quickly threw the ball in leaving a shocked and frustrated Ian Kinsler standing on second where he was stranded.
Ron Washington's decision to sit Vladimir Guerrero looked like a wash late in the 2-0 game, when the lack of Vlady's bat may have made the difference, but two sharp hits to right field during the game, that Guerrero never would have tracked down and Cruz did, would have resulted in at least one if not two Giants runs.
None the less, with Cain's brilliant 7 2/3, along with Lopez and Mota, the lack of a single run out of the Texas lineup meant that any number of Giants runs would have been enough, well before the 8th inning bullpen meltdown from Texas.
So, on to Texas where the home run friendly ballpark at Arlington and the DH will change the game. Will Bochy keep the same lineup and DH Pablo, Ishikawa or put Schierholtz in right and DH Burrell? I can't wait to find out and this time I hope Sanchez tosses another no hitter, or at least brings that same stuff with him.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
World Series preview
By Brad Morrison
The rotation is in, with Lincecum going in game 1, Cain in game 2, Sanchez in game 3 and Bumgarner in game 4. This lineup makes some sense because Matt Cain is fresh and has a better ERA at home than in parks where the ball carries. Zito threw a simulated game yesterday and could make the bullpen roster, but who would you dump to make room?
My big question is the DH in Texas, we will see something very familiar in game 1 & 2 at home. Burrell makes some sense as the DH but if Bochy keeps with his standard outfield and puts Rentaria at short (which he does when the other team has speed and likes to run) then Uribe would likely start at third, making Pablo the probable DH.
Sandoval's approch during the last couple of games was significantly better than it was prior. You could make an argument that others could come up big or are due, but Pablo's my guess. If it's Burrell then Ross could start in left field and Nate Schierholtz would start in right, giving the team the best defensive outfield, but Burrell has stated that he didn't like being the DH with the Rays, "For me it has to have something to do with being in the flow of the game, playing in the field, being active in the game. I think that's a huge part of it for me. I'm not saying that that's right or wrong. I think just for me that was an important part of it."; he admitted to the press. So, will Bochy put him in that position?
What's your guess?
The rotation is in, with Lincecum going in game 1, Cain in game 2, Sanchez in game 3 and Bumgarner in game 4. This lineup makes some sense because Matt Cain is fresh and has a better ERA at home than in parks where the ball carries. Zito threw a simulated game yesterday and could make the bullpen roster, but who would you dump to make room?
My big question is the DH in Texas, we will see something very familiar in game 1 & 2 at home. Burrell makes some sense as the DH but if Bochy keeps with his standard outfield and puts Rentaria at short (which he does when the other team has speed and likes to run) then Uribe would likely start at third, making Pablo the probable DH.
Sandoval's approch during the last couple of games was significantly better than it was prior. You could make an argument that others could come up big or are due, but Pablo's my guess. If it's Burrell then Ross could start in left field and Nate Schierholtz would start in right, giving the team the best defensive outfield, but Burrell has stated that he didn't like being the DH with the Rays, "For me it has to have something to do with being in the flow of the game, playing in the field, being active in the game. I think that's a huge part of it for me. I'm not saying that that's right or wrong. I think just for me that was an important part of it."; he admitted to the press. So, will Bochy put him in that position?
What's your guess?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Champions of the National League
That didn't exactly go according to plan, but it really couldn't go any other way. This game went exactly like so many others this season. Good hitting, but few hits with RISP; excellent bullpen support (including Bumgarner and Lincecum), a bomb by Uribe and too many runners allowed on base by Wilson who once again came through in the end.
My biggest concern when looking at the post game numbers were Posey. He came up three times with 4 runners in scoring position with 2 outs each time, and did nothing each time going 0-4. I hope this is not a sign of things to come in the next round.
The Giants were lauded by the National Sports media as undeserving because they didn't win the West, the Padres lost it, nor did they win the NLDS, the Braves were beat up and playing at half capability. So what, I ask you is their excuse for the Phillies beat down? The Phillies came into the NLCS with a team firing at full strength and as we have all heard a thousand time, on paper, were the best team in baseball. Opps, someone forgot to tell the Giants. As I mentioned in my NLCS preview post, I thought the teams matched up well, especially if the giants pitchers could neutralize the Phillies sluggers and the Giants bullpen was up to the challenge, I would say they proved all series and especially last night, that they were.
The Phillies battled but just couldn't hit better than .209 with Utley and Howard being very ineffective. All three of the Phillies starters took a loss (Oswalts was in relief) but the Giants got to every one last night with 3 runs on 13 hits. While the Phillies were 2 for 11 with RISP.
This team deserves to be in the World Series because they proved over and over again that they are the best team in the National League by beating the best teams in the National League.
Anyone have something to say about the World Series match up, comment.
Friday, October 22, 2010
I like the Giants in game 6.
By Brad Morrison
I am very optimistic that the Giants will finish off the Phillies in game 6. I say this for two very big reasons Jonathan Sanchez is tee'd up and after the Giants beat Oswalt in relief to win game 4 they should be confident and relaxed against him. Another thing, Huff will be sure to not to make the same defensive mistake twice. I look for determined defense, aggressive offense and excellent pitching from Sanchez.
Goodnight Philly.
I am very optimistic that the Giants will finish off the Phillies in game 6. I say this for two very big reasons Jonathan Sanchez is tee'd up and after the Giants beat Oswalt in relief to win game 4 they should be confident and relaxed against him. Another thing, Huff will be sure to not to make the same defensive mistake twice. I look for determined defense, aggressive offense and excellent pitching from Sanchez.
Goodnight Philly.
A Rough 3rd inning and its back to Philly, but I'm excited about the match up.
By Brad Morrison
I wish the outcome were different but, game 5 of the NLCS was actually quite good and the Giants were never really out of it. Lincecum had only one rough inning where he threw 30 pitches, unfortunately it coincided with the defense leaking oil all over the place. If only three things changed in that one inning the Giants either win or in a 2-2 tie going into the 10th.
I don't really blame Pablo on the bunt. He is crashing and then has to get back, its a tough play either way, however, if the ump got the call right 9and it was a foul ball) then Halladay is trying again with two strikes and who knows what happens. The two issues that are tough to take is Aubry Huffs missed ground ball, which was not easy, but certainly one that he will never say he should have missed and Cody Ross getting gunned at third for the third out. Lincecum could have recovered after the bunt and sat down the side, but he didn't and that was the game. Werth's home run wasn't costly and the Phillies bull pen shut down the Giants. You didn;t think the Phillies would lay down did you? I thought Halladay's effort was fantastic, had he opted out in the 2nd after he pulled his groin, its a far more painful game for the Phillies to win, even though Haladay wasn't 100% he battled long enough to get to the point where the good bull pen guys could make it stick. I don't think the Phillies were good enough to win if the Giants hadn't made the mistakes that they did, but it was good enough for game 5.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
NLCS Game 5 in SF, does it get any better than this? Lincecum vs. Halladay 2
The Freak vs. the Doc part 2, Tim Lincecum vs. Roy Halladay on full rest for all of the marbles. This is the sort of titanic sports match up that we dream of, will it live up to our expectations? We can only hope, but I will tell you this if the game is tight and both pitchers go into late innings, fans will begin to vibrate out of their skins in torturous anticipation until...
Unless the game ends the way last night game ends, the build up is the sweetest part of the whole thing. The match up, the speculation, the expectation, the line up moves, the first at bats, the second time thought the order, which team can scratch out some runs and hold on, etc...
Both pitchers know that they hold everything. Halladay holds elimination on his shoulders and Lincecum the prospect of the World Series. Halladay is 0-3 lifetime against the Giants with a 6.66 ERA (prophetic?), including game 1 in this series. The chances that the Phillies can sweep the GIants over the next three with Lincecum, Sanchez and Cain all lined up on full rest, well... The odds are not in their favor. Tonight, the best of the best face off to end it or keep it going for another day.
The baseball gods and making this one something that we will talk about for many years to come. This is my baseball is so great and why it will remain the American past time.
And then, what if the next round holds Bengie Molina's return to AT&T...
Unless the game ends the way last night game ends, the build up is the sweetest part of the whole thing. The match up, the speculation, the expectation, the line up moves, the first at bats, the second time thought the order, which team can scratch out some runs and hold on, etc...
Both pitchers know that they hold everything. Halladay holds elimination on his shoulders and Lincecum the prospect of the World Series. Halladay is 0-3 lifetime against the Giants with a 6.66 ERA (prophetic?), including game 1 in this series. The chances that the Phillies can sweep the GIants over the next three with Lincecum, Sanchez and Cain all lined up on full rest, well... The odds are not in their favor. Tonight, the best of the best face off to end it or keep it going for another day.
The baseball gods and making this one something that we will talk about for many years to come. This is my baseball is so great and why it will remain the American past time.
And then, what if the next round holds Bengie Molina's return to AT&T...
ESPN's disgraceful coverage of the NLCS
What the hell are they doing over there? Go to the ESPN or ESPN radio home pages and a dare you to find something about the magical NLCS game 4 or the words San Francisco Giants 1 game from the World Series. The top NLCS article is about what Charlie Mannual has to do to win and bring the series back to Philly. Every other national site is giddy with the thought of this upset and clamoring to learn more about who these guys are and how they keep winning. ESPN is acting like their prognostications of a quick Phillies victory are still possible and if they loose its a personal slight against their professional abilities or that they somehow have stock in the East Coast teams.
Local radio hosts are going out of their mind over the indignant bias that ESPN is showing toward the Phillies. Sports Center has been down right rude and disrespectful toward the Giants. I'm done with them.
Local radio hosts are going out of their mind over the indignant bias that ESPN is showing toward the Phillies. Sports Center has been down right rude and disrespectful toward the Giants. I'm done with them.
NLCS Game 3 Review in San Francisco, maybe the best Giants game in my 40 years (so far)
By Brad Morrison
Pandemonium! It't the only way to describe the reaction of the fans after Juan Uuuuuuu-ribe lifted a Roy Oswalt pitch into left field which allowed Aubry Huff to score on the Sac fly and send the Giants to a 3-1 lead in the NLCS, beating the Phillies 5-4 in game 4.
This game was the essential team effort. Everyone contributed, pitchers, fielders, hitters. Buster Posey was arguably the most inpactfull player having a great day at the plate going 4 for 5 with two RBI's and then scooping a seed from Aaron Rowand and holding on through the collision to tag out Carlos Ruiz at the plate. Pablo Sandavol's great at bats, Cody Ross, stay hot and note to all Phillies pitchers "keep pitching him low and in", Aubry Huff, Pat the Bat, Aaron Rowand with a nice plate approch and then "the throw". Torres with a great plate appearance against Oswalt taking a walk when every pitch was to the scouting report, the bullpen (Romo gave up the hit and then was lights out) and then Willson. Brian Willson jumped into the dougout after the game and howelled like a wolf, looked at his team mates and said "we are going to win this, right her, right now, not flights to Philly".
This might have been the best Giants game that I have seen in 40 years, so far. I think it was a defining moment for this team. The Giants took the lead, then the Phillies took the lead, then the Giants took it back, then the Phillies tied it, neither team quit, Charlie Manual threw the kitchen sink and the Oswalt at the Giants only to come up short. And the stones from Oswalt to tell his skipper to give him the ball. A great game, I'm glad to have witnessed it.
Pandemonium! It't the only way to describe the reaction of the fans after Juan Uuuuuuu-ribe lifted a Roy Oswalt pitch into left field which allowed Aubry Huff to score on the Sac fly and send the Giants to a 3-1 lead in the NLCS, beating the Phillies 5-4 in game 4.
This game was the essential team effort. Everyone contributed, pitchers, fielders, hitters. Buster Posey was arguably the most inpactfull player having a great day at the plate going 4 for 5 with two RBI's and then scooping a seed from Aaron Rowand and holding on through the collision to tag out Carlos Ruiz at the plate. Pablo Sandavol's great at bats, Cody Ross, stay hot and note to all Phillies pitchers "keep pitching him low and in", Aubry Huff, Pat the Bat, Aaron Rowand with a nice plate approch and then "the throw". Torres with a great plate appearance against Oswalt taking a walk when every pitch was to the scouting report, the bullpen (Romo gave up the hit and then was lights out) and then Willson. Brian Willson jumped into the dougout after the game and howelled like a wolf, looked at his team mates and said "we are going to win this, right her, right now, not flights to Philly".
This might have been the best Giants game that I have seen in 40 years, so far. I think it was a defining moment for this team. The Giants took the lead, then the Phillies took the lead, then the Giants took it back, then the Phillies tied it, neither team quit, Charlie Manual threw the kitchen sink and the Oswalt at the Giants only to come up short. And the stones from Oswalt to tell his skipper to give him the ball. A great game, I'm glad to have witnessed it.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Spander: With or without NLCS victory, Giants are winners
http://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/Spander--104920594.html
By: ART SPANDER
By: ART SPANDER
Special to The Examiner
October 14, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO — And where is Todd Wellemeyer anyway?
No knocks, please. He did his part. And then along came Madison Bumgarner. Isn't that the way for winning teams — changes that over the course of a long season turn out to be the proper ones?
Or changes never made, which turn out to be no less proper.
May 19, Jerry Crasnick in MLB Fanhouse on AOL: "The Giants should trade for a hitter even if it will cost them prospect Madison Bumgarner ...
"The Giants will go the power route this summer, like Brewers outfielder Corey Hart. Another possibility will be Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins. In either case, Bumgarner will likely be the player dealt."
Or five months later, Bumgarner will pitch and win the game against the Atlanta Braves, elevating the Giants into the National League Championship Series.
Patience. It's what most of us lack. And what Giants management, meaning primarily Brian Sabean and Bruce Bochy, exhibit.
We demanded Buster Posey. We got Bengie Molina. We demanded Bumgarner. We got Wellemeyer. Finally, Posey and Bumgarner arrived, but only when ready.
Put on that recording by the late Peggy Lee, "Fever." The Bay Area has it, of the pennant variety. AT&T Park bleacher tickets on Stubhub for $9,000. You have to be kidding. You have to be delighted.
A winner. At last that's what we have. No disparagement of the Sharks, far and away the best pro franchise by the Bay the past few years, but this is California, the state of baseball, the homeland of Joe D. and Ted the Kid and Barry Bonds.
We're outdoors people. We're "Grab a glove, and let's fling a few" people. We're "I don't care if I ever get back" people. It's our party, and we'll laugh if we want to. Or cry if we must.
High unemployment, housing foreclosures. We needed an escape from that world. How about four consecutive one-run decisions in the playoffs? How about four nights of gnawed fingernails and waiting to exhale?
Maybe it stops here. "That team," Cody Ross said of the Phillies, "is really good." That team won a World Series in 2008 — something the Giants never have done in the 53 seasons they've been in San Francisco — and lost to the Yankees in the Series in 2009.
Cody Ross, hero. Ross, who homered to tie the game Monday night and then singled to break another tie and win the game.
Ross, who until Aug. 22 was with the Florida Marlins. Ross, shrugged off by fans and media who were wondering why the Giants didn't acquire someone more prominent.
"We'll have to bring our 'A' game," reminded Ross about the NL Championship Series. "[The Phillies] got it all."
The Giants have enough. Or they wouldn't have reached the second stage. They've got Mike Fontenot if Pablo Sandoval doesn't show discipline. They've got Santiago Casilla and Javier Lopez to pitch relief before Brian Wilson comes in and causes heart palpitations.
Three hundred years ago the English diarist Samuel Johnson listed sport as "diversion ... frolick ... tumultuous merriment."
This Giants season has been as tumultuously merry as possible. And as wonderfully nerve-wracking as imaginable.
Art Spander has been covering Bay Area sports since 1965 and also writes onwww.artspander.com andwww.realclearsports.com. E-mail him attypoes@aol.com.
NLCS Matchup
By Brad Morrison
I was listening to ESPN radio today and every review of the NLCS was met with a discussion about the Phillies were so much the better team. As I started to get irritated by the clear bias, I switched the radio just in time to hear Eric Byrnes talking to Fitz and Brooks about a meeting with the MLB channel anaylists. He said that at first glance everyone agreed the Phillies were the better team but once they broke it down and compared each team, position by position, it was far from clear.
Byrnes said that, and I agree, you can't look at what a player has done or what they may do in the future, but who and how they are right now. So if you take the 8 position players and ask yourself who would you take. The MLB guys took Huff, Posey, Torres and Uribe over their Phillies counter parts. They then decided the starting 3 were a wash with a slight edge to the Phillies because of big game experience but with the fourth pitcher going to Bumgarner. (This is important is the Giants go up 2-1 or 3-0, Bochy can start Bamgarner in game, while the Phillies will start Halliday on 3 days, sending Lincecum in to game 5, if necessary, on full rest against Oswalt on 3 days. I'll take that match up any day. If the Giants are down or even, Bochy will send Lincecum on 3 days as well so the 4th starter is a wash)
The Phillies probably have a deeper bench, but the Giants have a better bullpen.
So, who wins? Well, if it is really this close then it will truly come down to individual performances put together over 4 games. Can the Giants score runs against the Phillies excellent starters while preventing their scary lineup from scoring?
The Giants faced the Phillies 6 times this season and split the wins evenly, while beating up thier pitching but, that was then and the Giants look diffetently now.
I think Pat Burrell us key in this situation. The Phillies have be confident because they have been their and done that recently, so has Burrell as a member of that Phillies World Series team. He has to convince the Giants that they are every bit as good and will be better right now. Just as he was vital in the Phillies win, they all will be in the Giants wins.
What do you think?
Monday, October 11, 2010
Shear Torture
By Brad Morrison
I was texting with my wife's cousin Lance during the 2nd game and with the 4-1 lead we were a little over confident. This NLDS Game 4 was different, we suffered the change in fates, the errors, drops and white knuckling pitching in silence until the last of the 6th, where Lance broke the silence with a simple statement "Here we go" followed by a few "tortures" and finally a celebratory "Wilson is the Man".
It may be questioned, sending Burell home to be tagged out, but I liked it. Be aggressive on the bases and challenging Diaz is not against the odds, he just made a great throw and McCann blocked the place and took the hit. It was good baseball.
I am still concerned by the lack of base hits, bunts and anything else to eak out a run. The offence has to do better, especially against the Phillies where the Giants will see pitching as good as we see every day.
I should also nod toward Lowe who really threw a nice game and Bobby Cox who is a Legend, it was a pleasure to watch him in this series.
Let's get back to the Giants and tonights hero. Cody Ross. the man was picked up to block the Padres and turned out to be the difference in game 4 of the NLDS, with a solo home run in the 6th and a gapper between 3rd and Short, to drive in the go ahead run in the 8th. The bullpen needs a mention as well with three brilliant innings, most notably from Casilla. Cassia was outright dominant in the 7th and would have blown through the 8th but for a dropped line drive to Rentaria that would have been an easy double play, but at least resulted in 1 out. Finishing with traditional Brian Wilson drama, after letting two runners on base for free, Wilson drilled down the final out. The result, I have a few more gray hair and the Giants are headed to the NLCS.
I was texting with my wife's cousin Lance during the 2nd game and with the 4-1 lead we were a little over confident. This NLDS Game 4 was different, we suffered the change in fates, the errors, drops and white knuckling pitching in silence until the last of the 6th, where Lance broke the silence with a simple statement "Here we go" followed by a few "tortures" and finally a celebratory "Wilson is the Man".
It may be questioned, sending Burell home to be tagged out, but I liked it. Be aggressive on the bases and challenging Diaz is not against the odds, he just made a great throw and McCann blocked the place and took the hit. It was good baseball.
I am still concerned by the lack of base hits, bunts and anything else to eak out a run. The offence has to do better, especially against the Phillies where the Giants will see pitching as good as we see every day.
I should also nod toward Lowe who really threw a nice game and Bobby Cox who is a Legend, it was a pleasure to watch him in this series.
Let's get back to the Giants and tonights hero. Cody Ross. the man was picked up to block the Padres and turned out to be the difference in game 4 of the NLDS, with a solo home run in the 6th and a gapper between 3rd and Short, to drive in the go ahead run in the 8th. The bullpen needs a mention as well with three brilliant innings, most notably from Casilla. Cassia was outright dominant in the 7th and would have blown through the 8th but for a dropped line drive to Rentaria that would have been an easy double play, but at least resulted in 1 out. Finishing with traditional Brian Wilson drama, after letting two runners on base for free, Wilson drilled down the final out. The result, I have a few more gray hair and the Giants are headed to the NLCS.
Giants Starters Brilliant
By Brad Morrison
As if this needed any emphasis, the three Giants starters have been dominant posting post season strikeout records (most ever by a Giant and most by a Giants left hander) with Lincecum's 14k gem and Sanchez 11k pearl and Cain's 6, the giants set a post season record of 31 strikeouts in the first three games and a combines ERA of 0.39 and two runs (one earned) in 23 innings. "did you expect anything less? They've been outstanding all year" said Buster Posey.
As if this needed any emphasis, the three Giants starters have been dominant posting post season strikeout records (most ever by a Giant and most by a Giants left hander) with Lincecum's 14k gem and Sanchez 11k pearl and Cain's 6, the giants set a post season record of 31 strikeouts in the first three games and a combines ERA of 0.39 and two runs (one earned) in 23 innings. "did you expect anything less? They've been outstanding all year" said Buster Posey.
NLCS Game 4 in Altlanta
By Brad Morrison
The giants have a real opportunity here with Bumgarner getting the nod and Lowe on 3 days rest, a win here will ensure Lincecum full rest for the 1st game of the NLDS and with the Phillies sowing things up yesterday, we don't want them to be any more rested than the Giants are. We all know Madison can get the job done, the question is will he. The Giants first three have been magical and we will need them well rested to match up against the Phillies first three. The weakest outing was by Cain and he was still better than every Atlanta pitcher and the scary thing is we know he can do better. Bumgarner is young and untested but he has been very good at times this year and has shown excellent nerves for a barley 21-year old Rookie. So, will he or won't he? Were about to find out.
Here is the Roster for tonights game
Torres CF, Sanchez 2B, Huff 1B, Posey C, Burrell LF, Uribe SS, Fontenot 3B, Ross RF, Bumgarner P
The Braves are shaking things up a bit with Lowe in on 3 days rest and Conrad out, Glaus is in at third and Infante moving over to second. Glaus is the real issue, he can hurt you with the bat but is fairly immobile on the bases and on the field. Look for shots down the line and through the gap to be available with Glaus on the corner.
go Giants!
The giants have a real opportunity here with Bumgarner getting the nod and Lowe on 3 days rest, a win here will ensure Lincecum full rest for the 1st game of the NLDS and with the Phillies sowing things up yesterday, we don't want them to be any more rested than the Giants are. We all know Madison can get the job done, the question is will he. The Giants first three have been magical and we will need them well rested to match up against the Phillies first three. The weakest outing was by Cain and he was still better than every Atlanta pitcher and the scary thing is we know he can do better. Bumgarner is young and untested but he has been very good at times this year and has shown excellent nerves for a barley 21-year old Rookie. So, will he or won't he? Were about to find out.
Here is the Roster for tonights game
Torres CF, Sanchez 2B, Huff 1B, Posey C, Burrell LF, Uribe SS, Fontenot 3B, Ross RF, Bumgarner P
The Braves are shaking things up a bit with Lowe in on 3 days rest and Conrad out, Glaus is in at third and Infante moving over to second. Glaus is the real issue, he can hurt you with the bat but is fairly immobile on the bases and on the field. Look for shots down the line and through the gap to be available with Glaus on the corner.
go Giants!
NLDS Game 3 in Atlanta
By Brad Morrison
This is clearly the make or break game. Given the split in SF, the Braves are thinking that they can sweep at home and prevent a game 5 in SF. Sanchez should step up and pitch a game on par with Lincecum, he is competitive and as good if the Slider and Curve are working. The real issue in my mind is "will the offense sow up". mark my words, this is the issue. It looks like Pablo will sit this one out and I thin its the right move. he has been too inconsistent all season and Bochy cannot keep giving him the chance to deliver, we are past that for this season.
Posey and Huff are also key, with Torres and Fontenot in the 1,2 spots it will be up to Huff and Posey in the 3,4 spots tonight. If the 1st 4 do their jobs with the bat the rest will follow. Uribe will not stop trying to kill the ball, but with Burrel, Uribe, Sanchez and then Ross anchoring the order they will feel less pressure if the front 4 do their jobs.
It's almost game time, so lets see if the Giants can nail down this critical game 3.
This is clearly the make or break game. Given the split in SF, the Braves are thinking that they can sweep at home and prevent a game 5 in SF. Sanchez should step up and pitch a game on par with Lincecum, he is competitive and as good if the Slider and Curve are working. The real issue in my mind is "will the offense sow up". mark my words, this is the issue. It looks like Pablo will sit this one out and I thin its the right move. he has been too inconsistent all season and Bochy cannot keep giving him the chance to deliver, we are past that for this season.
Posey and Huff are also key, with Torres and Fontenot in the 1,2 spots it will be up to Huff and Posey in the 3,4 spots tonight. If the 1st 4 do their jobs with the bat the rest will follow. Uribe will not stop trying to kill the ball, but with Burrel, Uribe, Sanchez and then Ross anchoring the order they will feel less pressure if the front 4 do their jobs.
It's almost game time, so lets see if the Giants can nail down this critical game 3.
Friday, October 8, 2010
NLDS Game 2 in San Francisco, Lineup
NLDS Game 2 Starting Lineup
# B/T Ht Wt DOB
56 Andres Torres S-R 5'10" 190 Jan 26, 1978
21 Freddy Sanchez R-R 5'10" 190 Dec 21, 1977
28 Buster Posey R-R 6'1" 205 Mar 27, 1987
17 Aubrey Huff L-R 6'4" 230 Dec 20, 1976
9 Pat Burrell R-R 6'4" 235 Oct 10, 1976
5 Juan Uribe R-R 6'0" 230 Mar 22, 1979
48 Pablo Sandoval S-R 5'11" 245 Aug 11, 1986
13 Cody Ross R-L 5'10" 195 Dec 23, 1980
18 Matt Cain R-R 6'3" 245 Oct 1, 1984
NLDS Game 1 in San Francisco
By Brad Morrison
Lincecum's amazing 14K effort. I don't know about you all, but after the 1st inning, I never felt that Lincecum wasn't in complete control of his pitches and the game. He was never in trouble and other than a trip to the mount by Posey after the walk to Jason Heyward, there was never a real threat. I don't know how it played at home or what Kruk and Kuip said, but when Lincecum walked out of the dugout to pitch the 9th, the crowd went nuts. Orange rags were being flung with abandon and the crowd worked up into a frenzy as the out compiled. If there ever was a "big game" monkey on Lincecum's back, he there wasn't any evidence of it from either Tim or Buster the entire night. Simply Brilliant.
How aggressive should Bochy be on the bases? Someone can let me know if the numbers support the risk, but I would have liked to see Bochy squeeze Cody Ross in the second inning with Sanchez bunting and Torres simultaneousness steeling second to distract the catcher. Hear me out. Sanchez is a good enough bunter that with Torres stealing second and a squeeze at home, it would have most likely only resulting in 1 or even no outs and I would have respected the attempt. Do what you have to to scratch out a run here and there.
The Giant's inability to knock in RISP with less than 1 out. This is simply frustrating! The professional hitters on this Giants team (with the notable exception of Juan Uribe who can't seem to do anything other than try to kill the ball and Pablo Sandoval, who is out bad ball hacker) should be able to make contact and drive a sac fly. I am not going to speculate about what is going though their heads but COME ON!
The Brave's decision to walk Pablo and pitch to Cody Ross. I know Cox was playing the strict odds, putting the lefty on and pitching to the righty BUT, if you look at the first two at bats from Pablo and Ross, clearly Ross had the better at bat. The other option that Cox had was to walk Ross as well and pitch to Lincecum. Obviously, Lowe was not happy, AT ALL, to be walking Pablo. As an arm chair manager, I think this was the pivotal mistake costing the Braves a run and the game.
The impact of the missed call at Second. In hind sight and with slow motion we all know that Posey was out by a few inches, however, all that it did was put a runner on second, which the giants have proven over and over again doesn't mean anything. More important for me was the Braves decision to walk Pablo and pitch to Ross as well as the defensive catastrophe by Infante to cover the ball that Ross and prevent Posey from scoring.
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I was at the game on Thursday night and it was AMAZING. The fans were charged and the ball park was rocking. I find it interesting how difficult it is to have perspective about the from the stands. Sitting at home the next day, watching the game on the DVR from the couch, and listening to the analysis of Dick Stockton and Bob Brennley (as good as they are, most national broadcasters are brain numbingly dull, they are not Kruk and Kuip), I find it far more conducive to reviewing a game than trying to remember what happen while sitting, standing or cheering from the stands (excellent seat courtesy of Cousin Lance, thank you my friend).
The major items to note are:
1. Lincecum's amazing 14K effort.
2. How aggressive should Bochy be on the bases?
3. The Giant's inability to knock in RISP with less than 1 out.
4. The Brave's decision to walk Pablo and pitch to Cody Ross.
5. The impact of the missed call at Second.Lincecum's amazing 14K effort. I don't know about you all, but after the 1st inning, I never felt that Lincecum wasn't in complete control of his pitches and the game. He was never in trouble and other than a trip to the mount by Posey after the walk to Jason Heyward, there was never a real threat. I don't know how it played at home or what Kruk and Kuip said, but when Lincecum walked out of the dugout to pitch the 9th, the crowd went nuts. Orange rags were being flung with abandon and the crowd worked up into a frenzy as the out compiled. If there ever was a "big game" monkey on Lincecum's back, he there wasn't any evidence of it from either Tim or Buster the entire night. Simply Brilliant.
How aggressive should Bochy be on the bases? Someone can let me know if the numbers support the risk, but I would have liked to see Bochy squeeze Cody Ross in the second inning with Sanchez bunting and Torres simultaneousness steeling second to distract the catcher. Hear me out. Sanchez is a good enough bunter that with Torres stealing second and a squeeze at home, it would have most likely only resulting in 1 or even no outs and I would have respected the attempt. Do what you have to to scratch out a run here and there.
The Giant's inability to knock in RISP with less than 1 out. This is simply frustrating! The professional hitters on this Giants team (with the notable exception of Juan Uribe who can't seem to do anything other than try to kill the ball and Pablo Sandoval, who is out bad ball hacker) should be able to make contact and drive a sac fly. I am not going to speculate about what is going though their heads but COME ON!
The Brave's decision to walk Pablo and pitch to Cody Ross. I know Cox was playing the strict odds, putting the lefty on and pitching to the righty BUT, if you look at the first two at bats from Pablo and Ross, clearly Ross had the better at bat. The other option that Cox had was to walk Ross as well and pitch to Lincecum. Obviously, Lowe was not happy, AT ALL, to be walking Pablo. As an arm chair manager, I think this was the pivotal mistake costing the Braves a run and the game.
The impact of the missed call at Second. In hind sight and with slow motion we all know that Posey was out by a few inches, however, all that it did was put a runner on second, which the giants have proven over and over again doesn't mean anything. More important for me was the Braves decision to walk Pablo and pitch to Ross as well as the defensive catastrophe by Infante to cover the ball that Ross and prevent Posey from scoring.
We'll tackle instant reply next
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