by
GreekGiant
Tonight’s Game: Giants (87-75) Vs Mets (87-75) at Tom Seaver Stadium, 8:00 pm
Madison Bumgarner (15-9, 2.74) vs Noah Syndergaard (14-9, 2.60), (Regular Season Stats)
The Starting Lineups
Giants
1. Span CF
2. Belt 1B
3. Posey C
4. Pence RF
5. Crawford SS
6. Pagan LF
7. Panik 2B
8. Gillaspie 3B
9. Bumgarner P
Mets
1. Reyes 3B
2. Cabrera SS
3. Cespedes LF
4. Granderson CF
5. T.J. Rivera 2B
6. Bruce RF
7. R. Rivera C
8. Loney 1B
9. Syndergaard P
The day that we have all been waiting for has finally arrived: the first game of the 2016 postseason for the Giants. Some of us may have wondered if this day would even be possible while the Giants were going through their second-half baseball march into oblivion. It’s Madison Bumgarner vs Noah Syndergaard in a matchup made in baseball heaven. The Giants ace faces the Mets ace in New York in a battle of two teams with identical records.
Evenly-Matched Teams With New York Roots
Are the two teams evenly matched statistically? In some ways yes, in some ways no. The Mets were third in team pitching in the National League this year with an ERA of 3.58 just ahead of the Giants team ERA of 3.65, good enough for fourth. While the Giants finished ninth in runs scored (715) to the Mets (671), the teams diverge dramatically when it comes to how they scored. The Mets have scored a majority of their runs via the long ball while the Giants are a singles and doubles team that relies on contact and an advantage in team speed. The Mets hold a 3 games to 2 season series edge and nearly all of those five games were tightly contested and exciting. The New York subplot is interesting too as the Mets and Giants meet for only the second time in their illustrious postseason histories. I won’t mention that series in 2000.
The Giants Begin Their Journey Into the History Books
The last time the teams faced each other in San Francisco, the Mets were on the verge of a total collapse, two games under .500 and with a 6.7% chance of getting to the postseason going into game three against the Giants after the Giants won the first two games. Yeonis Cespedes Cespedesed all over Willie Mays Field in game 3, and Noah Syndergaard was super-human, shutting out the Giants 2-0 on 3 hits in the final game, salvaging their season.
The Giants bring their championship experience to the table in a game that is likely to be a low-scoring contest. There are many sub-plots beyond the main prize of advancing to the National League Division Series to face the Cubs. First, the Giants could begin a historic run for a fourth ring in seven years. No National League team in the history of Major League Baseball has ever won four World Series in one decade, let alone in a seven year span. Second, Madison Bumgarner has an opportunity to add to his legend. Without question, Madbum is the greatest postseason pitcher of our generation, and maybe all time. No matter what he does the rest of his career, schoolchildren across the world will sing songs in honor of his legendary exploits.
What the Mets Have Overcome
The Mets have rebounded impressively after devastating injuries to David Wright, Matt Harvey, Lucas Duda and Jacob deGrom. Curtis Granderson and Yoenis Cespedes got hot in the second half hitting bombs and making big plays in the outfield while veteran Asdrubal Cabrera has provided much-needed leadership and clutch hitting anchoring the infield defense for the National League New Yorkers.
One game playoffs are a cruel way to decide a postseason future in baseball. After playing a marathon of 162 games and experiencing all the dangers and euphorias, pits of hell and Olympian heights, one team will go home. The Mets and the Giants have had curiously similar seasons in many respects, particularly with regards to how much they count on their pitching staffs. This game may come down to the bullpens and defenses. History says the team that scores first will likely win the game. In all Wild Card games thus far, the team that scores first is 7-2.
This is exciting.
Some Questions
- How will Madbum fare against the potent home run-inclined Mets lineup?
- Will the Giants solve the Syndergaard Dynamic (electric stuff, electric hair, the nickname Thor)?
- Which bullpen will win the battle of late innings?
- Which player will emerge as a surprise hero?
- Will the two days of rest help Buster Posey recover from all his dings and pings?
Breckeroni says: “You’ve been here before. Get ‘er done, boys!”
Alex Pavlovic 9min ago:
Giants carrying 11 pitchers tonight: Bumgarner, Casilla, Cueto, Kontos, Law, Lopez, Okert, Romo, Samardzija, Smith, Strickland.
No Osich, no Gearrin. (Also no Nathan, Peavy, or Cain, but it looks like Okert instead of Osich and Kontos instead of Gearrin.)
The only surprise is Kontos over Gearrin and my guess is Corey is not 100%. The other possibility is that Bochy is going with the veteran. In al fairness, Kontos is having a very good season.
Corey doesn’t seem to be 100% to me.
Plus, he’s better than Gearinn.
Well, there’s that salient fact.
As before when Albert was sent down, I understand the reasoning and it’s sound reasoning- but it must be tough to do everything asked of you and still be the odd man out. Maybe if they advance, he/’ll get a spot.
good morning. happy giant wildcard game day.
pitchers tn
Bumgarner, Casilla, Cueto, Kontos, Law, Lopez, Okert, Romo, Samardzija, Smith, Strickland.
Tonight’s position players: Span, Belt, Posey, Pence, Craw, Pagan, Panik, Gillaspie … Adrianza, Brown, Tomlinson, Blanco, Gorkys, Parker
No Nunez. I guess that’s not a surprise.
Not at all.
no. he will be healthy enough vs cubs;)
I will add the lineups once they are announced so be sure to refresh your browsers around 5pm eastern. Go Giants!
Nice work, per usual
Merci!
totally agree!
Thanks, Greek Giant! (I’m still thinking about your questions. Thanks for making them a regular feature.)
Anything for you dgg!
I’ve never been one to believe that mystique transfers into results on a baseball field….and today, we are staring at a country of fans who are scared out of their wits by the presence of the Giants. We are so close to these guys and watched the rollover accident from July through mid September, so we are intimately familiar with the warts.
But , everywhere else? They see those annoying cockroaches infiltrating the playoffs again, and they expect the Giants to win it all.
It doesn’t work that way. But, isn’t it interesting that now, in the 4th playoff run this decade, the nation woke up to this team?
Welllll….I think most experts pick the Cubs or perhaps the Red Sox, but as long as the Giants are in it, there will be this little nagging anxiety.
I remember in 2014, I expected Bum to get it done in the Wild Card game but then thought they’d have none chance against Washington. This time, I’m more nervous about the WC than I am about the Cubs. That’s weird because the Cubs are better than the Nats were in 2014. I think it comes down to the pitching. I liked the match-up in the 2014 WC game; this year’s seems like a coin flip to me. But if the Giants get past tonight, I think their rotation, RIGHT NOW, is more dominant than the Cubs’ is. That was absolutely not the case vs the Nats in 2014.
Everyone is freaked out by us…everyone. All those “analysis” mean little to superstitious, nervous fan bases
The team nobody is talking about is Texas. They are awesome and their pitching is pretty good too. They seem to have very few holes in that lineup and they are flying way under the radar…. I would not be surprised if they won the A.L. pennant one bit.
One thing though, is… I think the Jays are the only team (of those left) with a good chance to take down Boston.
Not sure. It will be interesting. I think the A.L. teams are more evenly-matched than the NL teams. It all depends on who gets hot in the postseason. The Red Sox have a great lineup but they have not faced primo pitching every game the way they will in the playoffs…
Nervous indeed. Its barely 7:45 am here on the left coast and I’m already an anxiety ridden wreck of a Giants fan. For me it stems from the fact of a one game playoff. It’s not the SFG pitching, nor the Mets, that have me addled. It’s the maddening inconsistency of the SFG offense over the last 3 months that worries me this bright fall morning. One damn game, make or break. Which offense is gonna show up? Bum can be dominant, the bull pen lights out. But if the bats are silent, as has been the case so often through the dog days, pitching won’t be enough. I’d much rather be facing a series vs the Cubs than a single play-in game against anybody. Today’s game is a huge hurdle. I hope they clear it. If they win tonight, I like their chances to go all the way.
As for now? Headed to the gym to burn off some Wildcard nerves.
Giants! GO!!!
Snorkel’s channeling Giants’ HRs. More than one.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5f2002d4c502c1bc963a70eb0d20f6de32ff997afda6e61bb7a63efd8cad9f47.jpg
I think you might be overstating things juuuuuuuuuuuust a bit.
The curious case of Josh Osich: Salvaged an injury-marred college career for Oregon State by pitching a no-hitter vs UCLA (and Trevor Bauer) right before the draft, grabbed by the Giants in the sixth round in 2011.
Injuries and inconsistency slowed his progress in the minors, and he was passed up at the start of 2015 by Steven Okert, a 2012 draftee, who made it to AAA before Osich did.
Then Osich had a tremendous first half for Richmond, serving as their closer, while Okert was mediocre for Sacramento. Osich was promoted to AAA and almost immediately to SF, where he became the Next Big Thing to replace Affeldt.
Osich started 2016 with his major league spot locked down, but pitched so badly that he’s declared “injured” and sent to AAA. Came back but was still not effective, and Okert, a September call-up, outpitched him.
Next year is next year, but right now, Okert’s the guy and Osich is watching.
It has to be all mental with Osich. His stuff is excellent, Grade A. If he gets his head right and nails down his control he could be a primo closer.
He and Strickland seem like the same guy to me, one lefty, one righty. Great dominant stuff but both high-strung.
…and that’s code for what?
I’m being literal!
adjective:
at great tension; highly excitable or nervous; edgy:
Yes, but at least Strickland has better control and doesn’t walk as many as Osich. I think Osich has a better mix of pitches than Strick however…
Osich hits guys, too.
Good observation. Great piece on Osich/Overt.
Lefty surmised earlier that at any point Osich could retire. He nearly did before, and I can see it happening after the postseason. Okert would need to get in shape and learn his craft, but he has the tools.
If healthy, there’s no reason he would retire.
There is a huge reason he would retire. He has gone on record of saying during his last rehab stint that – “this time would be the last time suffering an injury” – because he has so much more he likes to do: Has an RV that he lives in when at ATT and when not – he lives in and hunts and fishes out of it.
Package Osich for Michael Taylor – Boom!
You’re on fire today!
this one is in my back pocket – when the calls to bump Span grew loud, I offered a solution.
This one has legs though. Nats gave up a dominant lefty to get Melancon – this would fill that void. Giants would probably have to offer another minor leaguer, perhaps another pitcher or an outfielder on the farm (Jarret Parker, Steve Duggar?).
I really like Michael Taylor too and I was surprised he got benched by the Walgreens. He has tremendous upside defensively.
yah man, I know you are on it too. With your East Coast bias, you see more of him 🙂
Strickland is in the mix for the closer position next year if they don’t get one this winter. Law was shaky after he gave up the game winner against the Bucs- “composure” shaky. Romo is NOT a closer. He’a the “interim” closer but really he’s a situational reliever. Just hope the clock doesn’t strike midnight QUITE yet.If someone wants him as a closer for next year,let them have him. He’ll be shockingly affordable.
Okert has had some good outings and he should be a “core” guy next year.
Note- we should lose the “head case “stuff.
First we want them here, then we bitch because Bochy doesn’t use them enough, then he uses them and if they aren’t all that- they are basket cases. In Strickland’s case he’s been anything but.His 2014 postseason might have destroyed many relievers- young and old, but he has come back nicely from it. Osich- way early to close the book on him, he still has the highest ceiling of any of the young relievers.
All of this IMO, of course.
agreed about Osich ceiling – which makes him intriguing in a trade scenario.
Law may always carry more injury risk than your average bear.
Melancon will be pricey. Wade Davis will be risky and kiss goodbye Tyler Beede. Strickland et al will be risky too.
Will that be all it would take?
Oh, now I see your response to GG below.
Moob.
I want Starlin Marte
Very predictable
Breathing machine and blood pressure meds are on its way to my home and should be here by 4 pm!
You cannot watch Giants Torture Baseball AND entertain a BHS1 standard-type female at the same time on a Wed evening.
Your call …….
You want to bet I’m the king of multitasking
This…. I will have to witness 🙂
I’m worried about Conor Gillespie at third base tonight it seems right for him to have some mistakes this evening
Over at third base
Conor has his own “comfort zone” whereby he seems to flourish. He is not going to make the running catch in foul territory down the line or the way far to his left beginning of the DP – but Wotus and Flannery are both expecting Conor to be adequate. Mistakes come from Lack of Preparation.
What I don’t get is TWG’s who dog him or anybody when a ball is scalded and “he” gets his glove on it but does not make the play – all of a sudden the experts think he should have had it – even though the ball was scalded. Official Scores have several mantra’s but first off they use: “Ordinary effort and degree of difficulty”
He’s not going to make the running catch in foul territory? Well who was this guy then?
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/conor-gillaspie-makes-insane-catch-diving-into-camera-well-205438478.html
Agreed, but I think I said “down the line” ala Arenado jumping the rain tarp a year ago.
Lol
Muting the television will be on full display tonight
This is my first postseason in retirement. Before, I would be too busy at work all day and this would take my mind off all the what-ifs? re: the hazards of the wildcard game. My plan for staying busy today: Go to the gym with my husband this morning, then do yard work (it’s that time of year to rake up the crabapples in the backyard), then do something creative: sew curtains for the cabin, and/or paint a large engraved garden rock. I need to hose it down first. It’s a bit muddy on the underside.
Fortunately, I can work outside in our yard now that we’ve solved the problem of the Bushy-tailed Woodrat which came back to town with us from the cabin in the pick-up’s engine. His perseverance and determination were admirable.
http://fwp.mt.gov/mtoutdoors/images/Portraits/Woodrat.jpg
And you named it, what, again?
We didn’t name him personally. He was dogged and relentless up at the cabin, nesting on one of the deck poles during the day and in the engine at night. We kept removing his nest materials. We squirted him with a spray water bottle on one hot, sunny day and he finally ran away from the cabin across the creek and we thought he left. He never really left. All we really wanted was for him to move on elsewhere. He even dragged twigs and leaves to build a nest on the deck next to the front door.
It was raining the day we left and we had no idea that he traveled home with us until yesterday morning when it stopped raining. 15 miles on a dirt and gravel road, where we drive slowly and stopped several times, to open gates, wait for our neighbors to load horses in their trailer. So he had several opportunities to jump out and stay in the country. Then 60 miles on the highway! He had built a perfect nest next to the battery out of the pick-up’s hood insulation. It looked like a well-built Robin’s nest (which he was living in up at the cabin after the Robins departed for the season.)
I think you just adopted him.
Or the other way around.
That seems to be what he wanted. But he couldn’t stay in the engine. We had to let our next-door neighbors know that their cats, Leon and Daisy, were aware there was a Woodrat in the engine (the pick-up was parked in the driveway and the cats were hanging around), and they kept their cats indoors until we caught him.
Hey, Dogged and Relentless-That’s perfect.
DR. might stick
RIP, Bushy.
He’s actually pretty cute.
For another distraction, what do you think of the new season of Poldark? I find myself yelling, “don’t do it, Ross,” a little too often. I guess it is habit from when Boch brings in Casilla in the 9th.
He was pretty cute. At first glance, we thought he might be a Pika, but Pikas have virtually no tails.
I’ve managed to get caught up on Poldark late Sunday night. I was thinking the same thing: “Don’t do it, Ross.” Don’t have an affair with Elizabeth.
dgg Where do you reside ?
Montana
OK gotcha was just curious you know its funny here on TWG for some silly reason seem to think that everyone that participates here lives somewhere in the bay area lol stupid i know!
No worries, Slik. It’s pretty cool that we’re world wide, IMHO.
It Is!!
Well, there’s paul in p.v. who lives in Seattle and Puerta Vallarta, TF62 who lives in Atlanta? I think. Efrain lives in New York and just yesterday wrote an interesting post about NY City restaurants. Farnz lives in Washington State–Seattle I think. Ryan lives in CA but in the country. Bapah lives in San Diego. 610nm lives in Iowa I believe. Greek Giant lives in Florida. (That’s how come Surf City said it would be quite a commute for GG to interview players after games in the clubhouse.) There’s lots of out-of-towners here. That’s partly what makes the blog so interesting.
POTD.
Yes, Atlanta–Cobb County suburbs actually. We’re about 15 miles north of the new stadium.
dgg – And just lately I’ve joined in from France (although I’m visiting in Oregon for a few weeks, just to bring this postseason home at a convenient time of day).
That’s right. I didn’t meant to leave out our international folks. There’s you, GiantFrog, in France and Alvise in Italy. Paul counts too, when he’s in p.v., although paul travels everywhere it seems.
“GiantFrog” is a great name by the way. But you need an avatar!
I’ve tried to get the avatar, but have failed. I have the icon, it just won’t upload???? I’m a better Giant (and a better Frog) than an avatar provider.
It’s been a while since I uploaded Lucy with her baseball hat and glove, but I think first you save the picture to your computer, then you go to Disqus, edit profile I believe and then upload your avatar.
You, my friend, are a genius. It worked. Sorry Bapah, your frog offerings leaped off the page. But thanks for the frightening moment.
Oh! How cute. I love your avatar, GiantFrog. (But I’m no genius. I am smarter than Donald Trump though. But then, isn’t everybody?)
The muffler on my car is smarter than Trump. And there’s a hole in the muffler. And thanks for frog “cuteness” remark. He just smiled and blinked broadly.
Obviously not some of his supporters.
True. Quite disturbing.
You should hear the French and the Brits in re Trump. I grow weary trying to explain, especially as there is no explanation.
Hit “control / Ctrl” then right click and then save image as – and it becomes yours
Clutch. dgg already clued me in. Still, thanks much.
! ! !
sorry did not know
Well, uh, there’s these. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fad15b1fd56a5337e64a3a33d29edb252127522e45fe23d6ac49c7eb3950a413.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fa5f9df7fb5657f23376947b47eb526a1e165470683ad30d55b84da5cf50f1b8.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/72afbaa29468f5fcceab26a4e9ec367b200a055a02d39ef9b92aa210ec7a57c4.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/461a617657a6355845dec78b790c65968f604935ba7ea14385150858adca37cb.jpg
It’s there – takes a few minutes at first…
If you send me your photo to use for the avatar, your login and password, to gmagalios@gmail.com. I can upload one for you and you can change your password when I complete this task. No Charge!
Thanks GG, but dgg already came to my rescue.
Maintenant: Allez Giants!!
Of course there is also our amigo Alvise in Venice!
(Also someone in Germany?)
pacman lives in LA and makes movies. Once, years ago, in the middle of the night, he mentioned something about being in a vacant building down South–a schoolhouse? I don’t remember how come I was up too that night. Probably I was on call. I asked pac about where he was and what he was doing. He was shooting a horror film. I’ve liked pac ever since.
Post of the morning!
You know how to keep busy!
Retirement is an adjustment. There’s no problem keeping busy in the country (as you know, Ryan), but in town, especially in winter, not sure how that’s going to go.
Find a coffee/tea shop and some interesting conversation. People are fun.
In Montana?
Montana is a small town, cc. Everywhere I go, I run into former patients. Yesterday, this happened at both the hardware store and sewing/crafts store.
Yo quiero Montaña.
Don’t laugh, but look up the local chapter of the Sierra Club. They’re usually interesting and from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Okay, I’ll look it up.
I resemble that little guy ……
Cute little feller!!
One of the things I coach with baserunners is what to watch for in a pitcher’s delivery, when trying to steal 2nd.
With RHPs, one thing to key on (and this doesn’t work with all RHP’s delivery) is the left heal. When it lifts off the ground and shows daylight – you go. Obviously it doesn’t work with all RHPs, but I think it does with Thor.
Let’s hope we get some guys on to see.
I used to teach that but now we teach Soft Focus a term that means we look between both legs/the ground but truthfully focus on the BACK heel rather than the front. The soft focus part allows us to study the back heal with out locking our vision in. I personally love teaching the front heel like you but we fell victim to – too many balk moves which two many HS umpiring crews could not see.
What cue do you use for the back heal and what does it indicate?
Well, we teach that “once the back heel lifts the P usually is picking to first or another base”. It is NOT a cure all for success but the Soft Focus item gizmo is the key – that I learned by going to a Coaches convention sponsored by the then Kansas City Royals baseball academy. It was there I learned what pioneers they once were in development of their players.
Krukow on radio just said that Giants hats out number Mets hats on the streets of NY 10 to 1!! That Krukow is a genius at painting a pretty picture aint he!
he is correct. he and kuip walked around sf giant territory.
Cute little skit with puppet Big Papi and the MLB Network crew just now.
Forgive me, Lord–but I gotta say. Lauren Shehadi is hot.
Yes, TF, she is. Abundantly so…and very next door nice & classy
And she’s a good reporter…
absolutely! She’s the Angel Pagan of reporters: beautiful, professional!
How does she feel about walls?
Our LORD concurs. No worries TF62
I like Kelly.
Watney and Shehadi are great. They’re funny, beautiful, smart, and clearly know baseball. I’m glad they moved Shehadi up from doing just “social media” type silly stuff. Those two make up for losing Alanna Rizzo to full time Dodger duty.
MLB Network has these great mix of clips and features for each postseason team, to the music of Unstoppable Today song by Sia. They’re good, but I’ve not seen ours and I’m pissed about it.
She’s the gal that keeps her bangs over her eyes and has the interpretive dance partner, right?
She’s cool. Great voice.
They finally played it this afternoon. Chills and goosebumps. Proud of our guys!
Hope everyone’s stocked up on tums today!
and Jimmy Hats!
just messin’ wit you – the gal with the “pulse” 🙂
John Maddon Malox and Dull kitchen knives
Everybody’s talking about Bum’s postseason history. True all that, but all that matters right now is Bum tonight. Don’t expect a shutout fellas–gotta score some runs.
Alex wrote this story yesterday, emphasizing what you’re talking about, TF62. The Giants need to score runs, and Syndergaard will be a challenge:
“The Giants consider themselves a good fastball-hitting group, and Bruce Bochy expressed confidence in his lineup’s ability to hit premium velocity. But Syndergaard doesn’t stop there. His slider comes in at a devastating 95 mph, his changeup sits in the low 90s, and he mixes in a curve.”
“He’s got an arsenal of weapons,” right fielder Hunter Pence said. “You can’t just go in and be like, oh, this guy throws hard, so I’m going to have to hit a fastball, because sometimes they don’t throw it for a strike. You’ve just got to get in there with a game plan and a preparation and understand that it’s timing. It’s having an approach and trusting that approach and trusting your teammates.”
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/bumgarner-vs-syndergaard-brings-heavyweight-fight-wild-card-game
Totally agree. While I appreciate some of the love being shown for our chances tonight and Bum’s post-season pedigree, I prefer being the underdog. Season hit a reset button on Sunday night. Play strong, play smart, play ball!
If we get the same team that just finished 5-1, we have a good shot behind Bum no matter who is pitching. Then again…
“The one word that describes baseball: ‘you never know’.” (Joaquin Andujar)
Wouldn’t want anyone else but he didn’t have a strong 2nd half or Sept. I think back to the SD game, when he gave up 3 hr’s after being staked to a 6-0 lead.
And he claimed afterwards that he ‘felt better than he had all season’ warming up. You never know.
Did I tell you I dreamt one of these last night? (Previous thread.)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/eb81e8d7d67dbda839973f98824b46bb67d0e2e5ff873ce36aca603e87e394b6.jpg
(That would be Sal Perez not catching that pitch, 10/24/14.) :o)
Keys to the game- hit good,field good,pitch good.
What is on the Menu?
CU, sometimes less is more.
not when you’re hungry
Great story from Palmer’s grandson during yesterday’s memorial service that captured the essence of Arnie. Palmer always began phone calls with the question “where are you”. On this particular occasion his grandson begins by asking him the same question. Palmer says “I’m with the President”. Grandson says “President of what? Palmer says “The United States”. Grandson asks him why he took his phone call in the Oval Office. Palmer says “I wanted to talk to you”. That is vintage Arnie.
I was fortunate to have him call me by my first name a few times and I can’t imagine a more sincere, authentic, charismatic celebrity has ever lived. The two hour service was quite a tribute.
I still remember those team matchups with Gary Player on black and white TV in the 60s.
Jim Nance was awesome also.
Great You Tube coverage for “Dumpy”.
Nice story. I loved him too. He was a class act all the way Arnold Palmer.
Golf really is a gentleman’s game.
the king called you by your first name a few times??? any chance you could expound on that a little?
I was a young and inexperienced radio sports guy in Orlando in the late 70’s. Our station asked Arnie to do some promos for our coverage of his tournament. He agreed and we recorded him inviting Central Floridians to listen to “me” covering the Bay Hill Classic on WHOO radio. Still have that cassette tape. For the next few years he called me by my first name whenever we interacted during the tournament. It was quite a thrill for a young kid.
Tom Watson was also very gracious with his time. More than once we had some nice non-golf conversations after the microphones were turned off. Nicklaus was cooperative but not warm by any stretch. As you might expect some big sports names were great people (Lee Roy Selmon) and some not so much (Pete Rose was the single most arrogant person I ever interviewed).
thank you for sharing. what a thrill that had to be for you. let’s get them tonight..
Bochy slept well last night, secure in the knowledge that it would be hard to top Showalter.
Ubaldo — he brought in Ubaldo! His lefty was throwing great, got the LH hitter out and seemed in control. Toronto’s leadoff batter was no big threat, but here comes Ubaldo. Then, of course, the LF Showalter put in as the inning started makes an error. Then, boom, get out the golf clubs.
Trying ro get him going”l
I don’t think Bochy would’ve made the same decision, but I do think he would’ve referred to Jimenez as “Ubaldy.”
Doesn’t Showalter look like a much older version of Elroy Jetson?
As soon as Ubaldo gave it up, Buck went into Elroy mode saying, “Ah, gee, Dad.”
I have rarely seen anything more universally panned.
http://yhoo.it/2ddQll2
In Ball Four, Jim Bouton wrote about the suspicion people in baseball had of intelligence and education. I wonder if things have changed much, at least on the field. When I hear managers speak, my reaction is rarely “wow, this guy seems really smart.” Decisions like Lamb-Casilla and Britton-gate are so inexplicable that you wonder how a thinking person could make them.
What do you think of the reality of making critical decisions in the midst of the chaos of sports? I agree that it was the wrong decision (I actually saw Ubaldo headed in and said to myself “game over”…), But I think what we outside say is that we KNOW we would have decided differently and we KNOW it would have come out differently. We don’t know.
There are hundreds of little and big decisions made for and within each game. On balance, they paint the seasons. Buck made a decision that is obviously open to criticism. Yet, he made other perfectly correct decisions that are ignored. that’s the nature of sports, I guess. He kinda blew the big one. I get it.
I guess my rambling is meant to get to the core of why you find sport in blistering managers like you do.
Athletes make mistakes in the moment. Those kind of mistakes are understandable. Lamb-Casilla and Britton weren’t mistakes of that kind. They were shockingly indefensible decisions that were obviously awful to everyone other than the guys making the decisions. They weren’t made in the heat of the moment. Bochy and Showalter, especially Showalter, had time to reflect on what they were doing and still made those choices. I wonder how a supposedly intelligent person could make those decisions, given that they didn’t involve a hot woman, in which case there is at least some basis for understanding how a smart person could make an incredibly dumb decision.
It’s about ego-centric managers who don’t want to adapt to the moment. See my post above.
I think a lot of it has to do with those who do the hiring. Many people aren’t comfortable with an underling who’s as smart or smarter than they are.
Without a doubt, egos and power plays are a huge part of the sports landscape from owners and GMs to managers.
You are right in the sense that they aren’t defensible because of the results they generated. You are right that the percentages would tell the manager they were high risk decisions.
But, I still think it’s never ever as completely clear in advance that the “other” decision would turn out perfect either.
You love Jim Harbaugh. When the Niners had first and goal at the 2 in the Super Bowl, he and his staff made 4 play decisions (one time out decision) that, quite frankly, cost them the game. Was that “incredibly dumb”? “Indefensible”? Or, was it just another gamble that coaches and managers have to make, given circumstances and knowledge of players and situations that we have NO insight about?
Buck obviously made a decision that backfired. Big time. It was a key decision in a key game. When Mad Bum gave up hits to the first two batters in the 5th inning of game 7…it was about to be …..incredibly dumb? Until it wasn’t.
They are paid to make tough decisions. When they fail, Couch Managers have a field day. Go try it sometime…I’ll bet it’s impossibly difficult, and there are 100 x the variables than you think there are
Neither of those decisions were “impossibly difficult.” They were incredibly obvious. Neither could be compared to trying to decide whether an ace should stay in the game.
Where did I say they were?
A Pete Malloy-ism
Funny you say that. I’ve always said football coaches are the dumbest in all the sports. Things like the prevent defense and sticking to tried and true failing offensive philosophies are hilarious. They are so damn conservative and set in their ways. It’s the creative coaches and managers like Bill Walsh, Bill Belichick and Joe Maddon that succeed over the long haul, all things being equal. Of course, the Cubs would have won 100 games this year with me as manager but the intelligence factor and the attitude of stubbornness is so so common that ends up leading to the demise of many coaches.
Limited thinkers always follow the crowd.
Not Pete Carroll. He thinks ‘outside the box!’
Ball Four and You are like me and MLBSF
The retrospectoscope is always 20-20
Showalter’s decision was being questioned before disaster struck.
I certainly did, but my dog was the only one that heard it.
Brilliant thinkers like Scout Foothills Ryan Baseball and I pointed it out just before Jimenez blew the game.
Correct, and for the record I was thinking it way back in the 7th..
I’m sure you and many others were. I wasn’t even watching the game. I just happened to look at the box score and my immediate thought was how was it possible that Britton hadn’t pitched? It was so obviously bad.
yup
Good word, retrospectoscope.
Showalter deserves the drubbing. He did not manage that game like an elimination game. Jimenez should not have been pitching in that spot. Showalter got away with murder several times earlier, with O’Day’s escape act double play in the ninth and others. There is an old cliche in baseball and in sports: Go with what got you there or don’t change anything because it is the postseason. It is a dumb cliche and Showalter paid the price. Bochy understand the urgency and dynamics of the postseason better than any manager today. Remember game 6 in Philly? How about game 7 in Kansas City? Classic Bochy moves that were HUGE factors in the Giants victories. Showalter has to learn the urgency and unique situations posted by the postseason, particularly elimination games, call for different uses of your relief corps and more urgency in other situations to push runs across the plate. To be fair, it’s not his fault the potent Orioles had exactly ZERO hits since the 6th inning. The Blue Jays were better but Showalter still was stubborn in his “closer” approach with Britton and he deserves to be fired for it. The postseason is another animal and one of the things that Sabean, Bochy, and CO did well was creating a team that can succeed in both the regular season and postseason.
WHO CARES about Bucky ???? We need to rest up. If things don’t go right tonight we’ll need to have all we’ve got.
Precisely. Other than the disturbing black-and-orange association, who is care.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/14/dining/reviews/restaurant-review-guys-american-kitchen-bar-in-times-square.html?_r=0
Doubtful the reference is similar.
Now Gene Mauch, there is the Standard Bearer
Thor could trip on his hair fielding a bunt or even get HBP getting a way from a bum pitch.
In NYC escaping the hurricane and hoping to see a Giants win. Eating lunch at one of my NYc favorites– Bobby Van’s
most interesting — to me at least– roster decision for the game tonight is the choice of Gregor Blanco who to my recollection has had only 1-2 at bats in the last 6 weeks. My thinking is that he is there as a possible pinch runner.
Report in later from the ballpark
Thanks for the update Surf. How is the weather in NYC?
Yeah I bet Blanco is there only for potential running reasons.
And late inning defense.
Time to take a bite out of the Big Apple Surf!
don’t forget that gregor is a superior defender than the starting left and center fielders. hope that the team has a late lead, and bochy doesn’t worry about hurting feelings, and we see gregor and gorkys in late for their D. blanco’s base running, though he’s still fast, is meh at best. the weather is gorgeous. i’m wearing my 2010 parade shirt. let’s get er done, boys. oh, and bum needs to get past the first inning, his bugaboo.
Honestly don’t think hurt feelings are in Boch’s playoff wheelhouse.
Nope, not at all.
i don’t remember him replacing span or pagan late for defense even once all year, so i’m from missouri on that..
Every position player except Nunez is on the roster for tonight.
First pitch scheduled for 5:09 PM, PST.
Thanks, CC.I thought it was for 5:10. I would have missed 60 seconds.
My unabashed pleasure!
OK, here’s my negative/positive headline take on game.
“Giants even-thing comes to end and Cubs eat New York with minimum bites.”
Please don’t hate me. I have to do this for my own sanity. (perhaps that’s an oxymoron)
What the hell has happened to you?!?!
I’ve done this every year they won, but just for local consumption.
Thanks for spreading your joy?
You wait. It’ll work.
Am doing the same thing. Have organized a gathering for Saturday night.
Expect to have the TV on in the den on mute.
No Casilla serving it up in the 15th!!??!! Whatsa matta witchu?
I used to think like that – about – 30 years ago – but if it works, bravo!
The even thing item – got it’s first 2016 baby step by gaining the #2 wild card ….
I understand sponsors and being the official beer, pizza, or snack food of a particular sport. Why is there an official tire of MLB?
for the Baltimore tire fire
I see you are in top postseason form sir!
Kruke-Kuip – Flemm and guest – smoking some stogies
https://twitter.com/sfgiants/status/783161823788994560
Who is the guest?
Brian Wilson’s younger brother…
Not enough facial hair 🙂
Krukows other son who manages the bar they are at
Breakdown of teams by position, bench, etc.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/204271498/breaking-down-giants-mets-in-wild-card-game/
thanks I was trying to recall who is playing 3B for NY – oh yeah, their former SS!
The one thing that scares me is I’m hearing everywhere how mad bum has this .036 era or something crazy at citi field. Some people are due for a lapse I just hope that doesn’t happen tonight. Want to know what you all think?
“Law of averages” don’t really work that way, and there was a whole host of things that went into him compiling that 0.36 ERA. But that was then and this is a new game, and anything can happen. He’s not “due for a lapse”, but he might not pitch a CG shutout either. He and Syndergaard are really good. Giants and Mets are really good. Good baseball should happen 🙂
In any case it’s the law of large numbers. It has rules before it comes into play. I have no idea what Bumgarner will do tonight, but it’ll be his best effort. No matter what happens, that’s all you can ask of him.
“I’m giving it everything I got” – Madison Bumgarner
Gulp…
We talk about Pagan and Span but this former Gold Glove award winners – misplay turned an out into a rally.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/205003334/orioles-michael-bourn-has-a-busy-night-in-loss/
“The Giants are great, the Giants have history…” all of that means little if anything tonight. Win and you’re in, then we can talk.
For a so so average ball player – the Giants are breathing a sigh of relief that Justin Ruggiano is not healthy enough to play.
He went 3 for 5 vs Bum/deGrom in a 10-7 Giants win on Aug 18th. With the Doyers – Ruggiano vs. Bum was one sided in favor or Ruggiano.
Those type of RHH seem to give Bum problems. Not a small thing he is out.
A pitching match up for the ages!!!!
5-5 in the 3rd,
Giants Players say “4 Slicer Bartolo” has a tee shirt that says this: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/729b41370c95594d58dd9cfe92e28b0c750113b3a25685d418434ff23b8e3103.png
Pie, someone said pie.
This is what Craw said on KNBR this morning and I paraphrase:
“Every team now is 0-0 except for O’s and Jays. So all records, stats etc. is 0. So it does not matter what any team did or did not do during regular season. I feel confident in our team and we are ready to go”
Let us all remember that.
GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anybody recall how much rest Bumgarner is on for tonight?
Normal rest. Four days. Last pitched Friday.
Syndergaard is on 7 days rest, the Mets were talking about him pitching 25 pitches Sunday to keep him sharp, but did not do that .
I hope he comes out rusty
Wonder if he skipped his bullpen. I’ve got to think if he gets to 5 innings with less than 70 pitches and we’re up, he’s thinking complete game.
He’s thinking complete game right now.
I would have Marge ready in the 5th to bridge to Romo if required. He’s on 6 days.
Those of us who can count 😉
I believe it was CC who said the other day that he’d rather face a hard thrower like Thor than someone who didn’t rely on velocity and i have to agree. Obviously Syndergaard could stifle us but I’d rather have us face someone like that than some crafty, changing speeds kinda guy. I guess this is in my head cuz I just thought of Bartolo Colon. He’s somebody who i could see giving us fits in a game like this.
Ayup – less likely to get rattled. Second coming of Big Daddy.
Fear the changeup artist.
Fear the Pedro Martinez!
You’ll have to explain the salience of that comment to me in this setting. Are you trying to say Martinez had a good changeup…
Didn’t he? I recall he had all kinds of pitches and speeds – like Romo with a 95 in his back pocket.
Yep. Ergo my comment. Sometimes Foot just walks on his tongue and not the moon.
You are a source of comedic baseball comments , and you’re not even trying. Keep up the good work 🙂
You’re fertile ground.
The referee just blew a whistle on this conversation.
Yellow card for both.
OMG yes! And an incredible fastball – deadly combination when the arm action is the same.
Are you seeking a degree in making the obvious completely clear. Maybe fear the Tyler Chatwood could make a better point.
You mean the guy throwing 96 with a lethal breaking pitch that was looking more like Roy Oswalt than any kind of “changeup artist”?
Your crazy and CC is crazy ,Colon is very hittable, ask the Marlins, Syndergaard has the nastiest stuff in MLB, highest average fastball in MLB among MLB starters, slider 92-94, changeup over 90. Baggs just wrote an article of what the Giants hitters do vs 95+ mph pitches as a team they rank among the worst in MLB 27th, and Gillaspie is the best Giants hitter on 95+ mph fastballs .
Stop calling people names that’s not right Peter leave that up to me!
Them saying something like that the Giants prefer Thor over Colon, is Crazy, Every Giant fan would love Colon to Pitch tonight, and every Met fan would want Collins fired if he started Colon tonight, CC is always saying crazy things ,outside the box because he over thinks things, and RobDeer is just trying to convince himself the Giants have a good match up tonight , so he does not stress out to much .
I love when you explain me to me. How much do I owe ya?
that’s a great frickin’ post by Pete!
Explain it to me then, because it makes no sense to me .
In a game like this, guys are geared up. Sometimes that makes it easier to hit 99 then a guy who’s changing speeds, moving in and out. Does Thor scare the hell outta me? Of course. Maybe you’re right, I was just trying to make myself feel better. And now that’s ruined. Thx.
…………The Fairfield Kid has spoken
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E84VqqCPI7w
Current Giants hit .328 against Colon, .158 against Thor, so you are right.
Were crazy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E84VqqCPI7w
Maybe this was already discussed but i wish Gearrin was on the roster today. I can’t envision a situation we’d use Casilla but there could be a spot where we desperately need a ground ball in a double play situation. If that’s the case, who do you turn to?
Gearrin has induced 7 GIBP Kontos 6,.
Kontos has more appearances, no?
If he has to bring in Casilla in a leverage situation, I’ll have to break the tequilla out of the freezer.
Please, please, no…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxRX6LXDpWs
Not by much. Regardless,George should be the guy now that Gearrin is out.BTW, Affeldt had 18 in 2009, right up with the starting pitchers.
amazing.
Agree, although Mets have a lot of LHH so might be tough to find a spot for him…but still think he should be on the roster. He stuff is usually good when rested
Bochy, sticking with ‘his guys.’
WOOF WOOF!!
Why they turn to Josh Osich of course! Highest GB% on pitching staff – what he’s not on the roster?!?
Ok, then how about Javier Lopez 62%
Ty Blach 58%
Gearrin 56% (not on roster)
Law 50%
Cueto 50%
Suarez 48%
Casilla 48%
Strickland 47%
Shark 47%
Kontos 44%
Okert 43%
Will Smith 39%
Romo 38%
…
Lopez has been at 65% over the last 3 seasons. I’d trust him over Okert.
I just got this in an email, if anyone is interested.
http://shop.tristarproductions.com/sf-giants-autographed-memorabilia
That’s quite a discount on the Casey McGehee autographed 8 x 10.
How is the poster size of Casey on the back of your closet door doing?
items for sale on Ebay. 10,138 for MadBum.10,442 for Buster
Bum: “Loves to face Jay Bruce, hates to face Kelly Johnson”. Ah but Kelly not in tonight’s Mets starting LU
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/204921906/tale-of-the-tape-bumgarner-vs-syndergaard/
http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2016/10/mets_vs_giants_a_comprehensive_guide_to_the_nation.html
HP: Mike Winters – 1B: Jeff Nelson 2B – Mike Everitt – 3B – Jim Wolf
LF: CB Bucknor – RF: Quinn Wolcott
So if any Balks are called on the LHP Bumgarner they will come from Jeff Nelson or Mike Everitt or Winters.
At least Bucknor is NOT calling the plate.
Where Bucknor gets on my nerves is calling swings at 1st or 3rd.
No Cuzzi, no West…. it could have been worse….
Boy are you right there.
Be careful with that….no one has worse history with Bochy than Winters.
Splain?
Winters has thrown Bochy out more than any other ump by far, and Winters games, especially when he’s behind the dish, end up with huge strike zone issues for SF
interestingly enough Cuzzi ranks as one of the Top umpires in all the sabre stuff on Blue. Even if he hates the Giants. Don’t believe me ask Travis Ishikawa. FYI: Winter is in the bottom 3rd. West is second to last.
Other names I would have made me cringe.
Angel Hernandez.
Laz Diaz….DEAD last….
Worst at calling the plate
Brian O’Nora
Best
Paul Schrieber
Gints are underdogs! Whew.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/major-league-baseball-is-about-to-get-random/
“San Francisco Giants (3 percent)
While the Cubs fell in the second half from historically great to merely fantastic, the Giants dropped from probable division winners to meltdown–prone also-rans.”
(So are the Mets.)
Whew lol lol lol!
You made me laugh the other day when you made the comment about if it’s safe to come out of the covers now that was hilarious
I don’t want to get too far ahead, but should our boys win tonight, it’s obvious Cueto would face Lester in Game 1 of the NLDS, with Shark v. Arrieta in Game 2. MadBum comes back on normal rest for Game 3 at home. So, for Game 4, if necessary, would you throw Cueto on 3 days rest, or pitch Moore on 8 days rest?
Moore. If there’s a Game 5 J.C.’s good to go.
Eggsactly
If you don’t want to get too far, DO NOT GET TOO FAR. (touching wood). Learn the Bapah’s way, plz.
It could be that what happens depends on which starters may be needed to fulfill bullpen roles.
Arrieta is the Game Three starter. Hendricks Game Two.
Moore
Gary Radnich knows nothing about sports I repeat knows nothing about sports!
Yep. He’s gone downhill the last decade or so, but he’s there until he says he’s done.
Larry Krueger has slowly taken over that so have you noticed
I mostly listen to KNBR between 5:15 and 6:30 and 3 to 4:30; my commute times.
Young kids will make hims stay at least on KRON. KNBR could easily dump him. The Cumulus owners are not big fans.
I dunno, is chasing down tranny hookers considered a sport?
LOL. Maybe.
Depends on who you ask
Bingo
He and The Oracle are buddies however. http://www.thatsgoodknowledge.com/radnich.html
He had “game” when he first started. So did Barbieri. But father time gets everybody. Radnich’s real name is Radunich but he changed it. Was still married to #1 when he swooped in on KNBR intern named Alicia – now his wife. Always wanted Pam Moore but Maze – Frankie Beverly told Gary to back off. Now he’s intoxicated with weather girl Brittany Shipp. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6a8dabf470414185fbef656f1f3c86031141d4598772e25cfc60329e70cdd2e0.jpg
She has HUUUUUUGE……. tracts of land!
What the hell did I just read?
Pg 2 Gossip column…
Hi Gary 🙂
Alex Pavlovic 21min ago:
Mets vs. Bumgarner: Reyes 3B, Cabrera SS, Cespedes LF, Granderson CF, Rivera 2B, Bruce RF, Rivera C, Loney 1B, Syndergaard RHP
Alex Pavlovic 5min ago:
Giants against Syndergaard: Span CF, Belt 1B, Posey C, Pence RF, Crawford SS, Pagan LF, Panik 2B, Gillaspie 3B, Bumgarner LHP
As expected on both counts….
Sean Casey and Mark DeLarosa:
“DeRosa:
I’ll say this: The Giants we know are not the same as the Giants that Bruce Bochy has been trotting out on the field this season. There have been a lot of guys banged up. He’s patchworked that offense together. But now none of that matters. He did what was necessary to get it to one game, and now the season all comes down to one matchup: Bum vs. Thor. Period. The end. I don’t care who’s playing in the field. I think the game will be decided by which pitching staff falters first.
Casey:
That really can make all the difference. Back in ’99 we had to face Al Leiter in that playoff tiebreaker. Of course we were all pumped for the game, but then in the top of the first, Edgardo Alfonso went deep and it kind of knocked the wind out of us and the crowd immediately, especially knowing how nasty Leiter was. In a game like this, especially in a matchup between pitchers like this, being able to strike first will be gigantic.
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/2016-mlb-post-season-preview/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Oct%205%20AM&utm_content=Oct%205%20AM+CID_2f8acba0ec1f55acf5f98ffd0ac798e5&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=Sweet%20Jesus%20What%20Happened%20An%20MLB%20First%20Round%20Playoff%20Preview
I guess DeRosa didn’t watch the Giants in the first half.
When? Like that matters now.
The first half Giants emerged again in the last weeks of this season.
So talk about the last 5 days. Not 5 months ago.
DeRosa said, “The Giants we know are not the same as the Giants that Bruce Bochy has been trotting out on the field this season.”
My counter to DeRosa that is that the Giants had two different halves this season. And the Giants were the same Giants that we know in the first half, and now the Giants are back to playing like the first-half Giants. And that’s a good thing, right, A-L?
Those first half Giants that went on a tear included Grant Green, Ramiro Pena, Mac Williamson etc… those guys aren’t even on the roster.
I am pleased as punch the Giants are coming in with some momenTIM, and we have our horse, the dominant post season pitcher maybe in the history of MLB pitching in a park where he has never given up a homerun and his number make his playoff number look bad.
But beisbol is a funny game, and in a winner take all, 1 game roll of the dice anything can happen…….
Where did I say that I’m unaware of the risks here? Perhaps you missed my comment earlier about the hazards of the wildcard game.
Working without a net will bring out their best, I think. If it’s not enough, then so be it. Just leave nothing on the field, play like a team, and respect The Game. What else can you ask?
Nothing….. except a win.
Baseball, IMO, isn’t about something as simple as winning and losing. But, I suspect, that’s not a widely shared POV. 😉
POTD – First they go 57 – 33 going 24 games over .500 – Then – they go 30 and 42 for 87 wins – I thought they were going to “need” 90
Obviously they were not as good in half one or as bad as in half two
Also, their play in the first half helped them get where they are now: to just get in, to have a chance.
“…being able to strike first will be gigantic.”
I like his choice of adjective!
Nice. Poignant recollection from Casey! – don’t have to look too far back in Pittsburgh history
Yup, Crawford hit the bomb 2 years ago. After that it was academic…….
G’s need a early run to take the crowd out.
One or both of the pitchers will be up in the zone in the first inning. The team that capitalizes before pitchers settle in wins the game.
I love these pseudo-expert commentaries/predictions!
#RallyBum #BeliEVEN #Let’sGoGiants
#i’mNervousAsHell
There’s a doobie for that.
You could use some beer.
Bring a whole keg for me!
Hershey Highway
Over share?
Hey, they giving you any good steroids up there?
And I understand chemo can get things flowing pretty good and ya gotta chug the imodeum…
They have counter balances now for everything. Dialed in like Footy in his laboratory.
I’m gonna hop on the forklift in bit, because I need a dose of manliness.
I’m gonna go do what I said I was going to go do earlier today. Hanging around the blog is making me nervous as we consider all the permutations and what the hell could go amiss.
So the leather chaps add to it or detract?
I love it when you talk dirty.
Come here you frisky little thing you.
Nevermind the forklift, I’m gonna clean and jerk that sprayer into the truck bed. I’ll FedEx you whatever herniates and you can put that in your golf bag for good luck.
I’ll wear it on a chain.
Great Gold Gyms term
Mr. Cunningham getting Frisky !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po0kYN4xUvE
I think Hugh Jackman will play you in the movie
If he starts working out.
Egg Plant is a very good bowel stopper
Bananannanananananananananas
JD4SF!!
Where is she?
Are you trying to tell us that if a viper bites you, the viper is dead in seconds?
I’m wondering how many Giants pitchers are going to have to have good/excellent outings in order to win tonight?
One.
I truly hope so.
Rob baby, you were sooooooo right!!!!!!!
Time for some first guessing and to channel some sound strategy in the melon of Boch’…
If the game goes extras, don’t screw around, go straight to the Shark.
Casilla is not the reliever you are looking for. Move along to the mustachioed pitcher with the flowing mane.
I would goto Shark in 7th if Bum doesn’t make it that far….. Might even throw him in the 8th….
Ya know, Shark blowing the doors off this mutha with 98-99 in a save situation is an exciting thought.
If you go Shark tonight, he pitches Game 4, and Moor goes on 5 days for Game 2. It works out.
Don’t the Mets have Home Run hitters though?
Even Asdrubal Cabrera is an HR hitter.
That’s what makes me concerned about Samardzija and his fastballs versus the Mets.
Valid concern. This one game elimination format is not for the faint of heart!
Nope.
Javi Lopez gives up HR’s too….
Perhaps Doughnut’s onto something then re: Cueto.
Hunter Strickland doesn’t think so… ;P
I worry about the gamer named Granderson who is hitting fourth. The lefty leftiness of Bum vs the Grandyman does not seem to affect Curtis
Thinking there is a chance we see Cueto if it goes extras.
If it goes 15+….
But save him for Game 1. Maybe he’s the pitcher that might be more vulnerable in his first inning, when he hasn’t established his arsenal of deception.
Brandon Belt on the mound
I loved the Belt extension, but sadly that extension robbed us of any chance for Belt: LOOGY. If he was in his final season before FA and the team wasn’t planning on signing him? That was our chance. Now we gotta wait another 5 years.
Now we know that Paul Bunyan gets gassed after 97 pitches.
Bum goes 8. Leads 2 -1. Hands off to Romo. Coming up for the Mets. Reyes, Cabrera and Cespedes. My sphincter is going to be PUCKERED……..
I already know what’s going to happen in this game, but I can’t tell anyone, because it would have a Butterfly Effect on the game. So I must be silent.
Yeah. Will be real interesting to see if Bochy allows Romo to face a lefty, say Bruce, with a one run lead in the ninth. I pray we don’t find out.
Having 2012 Gm 5 flashbacks….
I still can’t believe Romo escaped that at bat.
My life span is probably but I am good with how it worked out.
Shades of the Epic 2012 AB in Game 5 in Cincy… don’t mind how that worked out.
Have plan be close by. Somebody should be able to console you in that moment of crisis.
This game is really going to come down to whether the Giants can score on Thor. If they can, and take the advantage that way, it should be an easy win, because the Mets bullpen (so Mets fans tell me) is very vulnerable, at least as vulnerable as ours.
Giants have nothing to complain about making postseason every other year for seven years. Mets have nothing to complain about since they won the pennant last year and I don’t know any Mets fans who think they can beat the Cubs again.
I think Giants-Cubs would provide a more interesting matchup. And I think the Giants can beat them, too.
But we’ll see. I did expect this team to make the postseason, I am ticked that they didn’t win the division and I am nervous about a one game playoff that can end a playoff run in three hours. But this is the hand they’ve got, and it worked two years ago, so there you go.
Good luck, Giants!
If they can score four or more on Thor I think they’ll be alright.
Amazing, PS35! I was thinking about that same number: four. And early on.
Early – yes to that!
Every time I try to forecast runs scored on Thor I get lost. First, 2 runs. Nah, 4 runs at least. Then I think: Well, come on, I need to relax. Make it 8. But that’s only 2 grand slams. Maybe 12? Well, almost. Let’s take a 27-0 lead into the bottom of the third.
Scully tells Bumgarner story. http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2016/4/16/11443590/madison-bumgarner-snake-rabbit-story-vin-scully-holy-wow
Anyone else catch this little note? Thoughts?
https://twitter.com/AdamRubinESPN/status/783757645387825152
Doughnut called it! Tip your cap!
Can’t see anything. Might be my ad blocker.
Add blocker shouldn’t block tweets I would think
Could be Ghostery. I think i have social media buttons blocked.
Adam Rubin at ESPN reports:
Giants reporters expecting Johnny Cueto to close if Madison Bumgarner goes, say, seven innings and departs with a lead.
Thanks.
You’re welcome. I was late to reply because I was out raking leaves.
I’ll be shocked if that happens.
Me too. Sergio will be fine.
me too , they will go with matchups
will not happen because MADBUM is going the distance, pitching a complete game…
Great Prediction
Giants reporters are smarter than that. Nothing is that simple.
Ah but it was that simple game 7 2014…
I like the lineup! Let’s get a big W everyone. I’m off to work and taping the game. Good vibes everyone and wear your lucky shirts and underwear.
http://gocomics.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5f3053ef01bb086649d4970d-800wi
The Thrill is Gone. Rod Temperton was greeted by Michael but then many here think it was a Michael impostor.
RIP Mr. Temperton – Great Song!
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-37565125
https://i.imgur.com/FzcunKt.png
Do you count that as 6 LH hitters against Bumgarner, or 5, 4, or 3? Baggarly reports 3. CSN reports 4.
4, switch hitters will bat right handed . Baggarly might not be counting the Pitchers spot in the order .
Baggarly got it wrong then. So did I.
You nervous Pete?
6.
Then I got it right. I’m going to go rake some leaves. I’m confused.
The switch hitters are in there, IMO, anticipating Romo.
Of course. You’re smart, cc.
No I just listen to Mike.
James Freakin’ Loney – that guy is still kicking it around (and doing a fairly good job of it – just another Replace-Met).
You love you some Loney, dontcha?
Gammons loves him some Belt, by the way…Efrain making a Makayla face
He has been hot lately, 2 big homers last week , including the game winner that clinched a wild card spot for the Mets .
Bumgarner vs the Mets.
https://i.imgur.com/eHhDlcA.png
Its nice to have a Lefty facing this lineup. Bruce and Granderson are two dangerous hitters who are a HR threat at any time. Its nice to have platoon advantage vs them. Reyes and Cabrera both SH and most SH are better from the left side (although they might not be).
At the same time we have a lot of LHH in our lineup facing Thor giving us advantage. Might still lose, but it’s definitely a plus for us.
I’ve been checking out various parts of the interwebs for Mets’ fans views on tonight’s game, and this anti-Giants take from a commenter on Deadspin gets a gold star for originality:
“I hope Cespedes hits a ball 500 feet off Bumgarner, flips the bat so hard it takes off like an Apache helicopter and leaves the stadium, and then stares down that Appalachian f**kwit before he does a pirouette and salsa dances his way around the bases”.
Bulletin board material.
Hell, I’d pay to see that.
I’d pay to set it up so I can witness the consequences…
That’s a great comment.
There’s no way MadBum let’s that get past “flips the bat”. That would be followed by a tackle.
“Appalachian F-wit” – wowzah.
I’m reminded of the scene in The Usual Suspects:
…”the truck with the guns, fukko”
Kevin Pollack: “fukko?” (makes sound with lips while shaking head)
Syndergaard vs the Giants.
https://i.imgur.com/wxSAqpW.png
Span is 0-6? I like it!! He’s due!!!
It’s really a question of whether we get this game:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN201605010.shtml
Or this game:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN201608210.shtml
Whereas I’m sort of hoping for this game:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL197007080.shtml
Or maybe this game:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN197509160.shtml
A big game from Joe P would be fitting. Back in his hometown. Time to shine Joe.
That does not look promising outside of 1 nuthing victory with a Pence HR.
Alphabetical Position Players
Adrianza
Belt
Blanco
Brown
Crawford
Gillaspie
Hernandez
Pagan
Panik
Parker
Pence
Posey
Span
Tomlinson
Damn No Darren Ford ;-/
Was Eugenio Velez ever on a post season roster? He certainly is in every picture.
Geno was on the regular season roster in 2010
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_San_Francisco_Giants_season#Roster
And appears to have been ? on the PS roster
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2010-roster.shtml#appearances::none
Every video and still shot though. I’ve always liked those fast skinny OFs. Eugenio was talented, but a bonehead. Paul Blair is still my model of a perfect CFer.
Paul Blair was a stud and broke the mold. Geno was an IF by trade and sometimes the conversion from OF to IF is brutal – the conversion from IF to OF is not so bad. Vinny once had a hilarious Velez “call”
The splits on Syndegaard Bochy is working the LU from, I think.
https://i.imgur.com/lEQrIWr.png
Splits on Bumgarner.
https://i.imgur.com/eFmJVdv.png
The rumor mill was rampant last night via Kozimor IE Pagan batting 9th and Bum 8th. LOL
Pence and Posey
http://tinyurl.com/Total-Fan-62-may-enjoy
If you don’t make a call, you can never say you were right,I’m so far out on a limb that the tree is bending like when the peaches are ripe.
Belt goes deep against Thor
Surprise hero is Gregor- saves MadBum’s perfect game with an amazing catch in the 7th. Sorta like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Hp0vFWzZk
AND HE MAKES THE CATCH!!!!!
I don’t have any faith that Bochy would put him in for defense that early.
How’d that work out for you PM? Span had quite a night
I keep thinking about Roy Halladay and think Bum has that kind of stuff several times a year. With you on Blanco. Poor Prince Fielder.
If it actually does turn out to be a low scoring game, home run power might be even more important. As we all know, the Giants don’t hit very many and the Mets hit a lot. On top of that, Bumgarner has given up 26 in 226 2/3 innings. Snydergaard has only given up 11 in 183 2/3.
So you’re saying MadBum will hit one to win the game, right?
This is a terrific reply!
Syndy the Freak
http://tinyurl.com/Syndy-The-Freak
Cespy is all business
http://tinyurl.com/Cespy-Seems-All-Business
Lineups added to post, refresh your browser to soak it all in…
No choice but to leave work early to get home by 5:09. On second thought, better leave early enough to get home by 4:09. On third thought, better leave now.
I want to think Blanco is the surprise hero tonight. And maybe Okert shines bright. Not sold on Thor’s dominance of the Giants. Not sold on him as a big game pitcher yet either. Worried about Bum’s 1st inning. The Giants lineup top to bottom is solid enough for Buster to go interstate through the postseason as long as he is calling every pitch from the Squat. Maybe Casilla is the surprise hero. How cool would that be?
Any takers for Adrianza or Parker (is he on the roster?)?
Yes and yes. This team has a 4 ring guy, 3 ring guys, 2, 1. I’m looking for a zero ring guy to step up.
who is the 4 ring guy?
Javi Lopez
thanks
Ring 1 in Boston, like Peavey. I expect to play in Fenway before this is all through.
I’ve been holding it back all day, but I’m officially starting to freak out now.
Alex Pavlovic 47min ago:
Bochy said Nunez coming around “slower than we had all hoped.” Also, Cueto/Shark available for any situation tonight.
Maybe Boch should pull a Buck and start Shark, just in case we need MadBum later…
LOL – That makes more sense, being Shark has longer rest and Bum is 1 for 1 in save opportunities in the post season.
Right?
I need a beer for my nerves. I think I’ll start with a pitcher
The Hammies get worse during rehab prior to getting better
Thank God that Mad Bum doesn’t have a case of MattyGut. The symptoms are overwhelming.
One wish I have is that the boys make some sort of noise Top 1… Pitches, baserunners…of course, runs would be best.
An immaculate inning, then bat around the order twice, knocking out their starter and a reliever.
Wouldn’t it be nice Denard Span started it off nicely?
Yep. He could easily be the surprise hero. Maybe with the glove. He’s one of the guys who really wants a ring.
Boo yeah, Boom Dizzle!
He will. BB or hit, he’ll test Syndergaard’s ability to hold a runner.
First pitch HR.
I like where your head is at.
What’s interesting and also funny is that the folks who wanted him out of the 1, were right- move him to the FIVE. As far as HRs go, he and Pagan have been THE MEAT since the ASB.
Sort of kidding but those 2 have powered up.
Pagan was the 2nd half HR leader…
I know that, pal. That’s why I put Span in the 5. Guess who gets the 4.. NEXT!!!!
They ate their Wheaties, budzo.
Talk about unfathomable truths.
How did that go?
Just keep the windows open at your house
Giants have had surprisingly few ABs vs Syndergaard. I’m sure they’ll have a good approach plan and hopefully put up some runs early and let Bum put it in cruise control.
About to head to work. Was gonna call out but seemed like bad mojo for some reason so I’m going in. I’ll have it on. Just did some stress-relief accupunture and while in a deep meditative state I saw a 5-2 final. Unfortunately I didn’t see the winner. So I guess the first to 3 wins.
I have the cure for that. It will allow you to focus on everything that is important.
Does it rhyme with lomb pet?
If so, call one in.
TICK TOCK TICK TOCK
I do not know about you all, but I am having a very hard time focusing on my job today. I am not sure why that is:)
GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps some Santana will help your nerves. I’m sure he’s pulling for SF.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFP4CycT3Q8
All these stat numbers mlbtv is throwing out don’t mean squat. I like our chances and Bum is the man. Giant hitters need to clock the 98 fastball and deal with it.
This just feels like a game that will be won with defensive brilliance or a defensive mistake.
High fly ball left field….. it gets by Pagan….. Around comes Cespedes and the Mets win it!!!!
Pretty much. Have you picked out a TV yet? Pool filled?
Anyway, win or loss, it’s only a game. Enjoy.
“only a game”??? What are you, nuts? Are you a foreigner of some kind? Where are you from? Mars?
Sol 3, The Milky Way, Local Group of Galaxies.
OK, you’re excused. I knew you weren’t from around here.
Grassie siòr Baps. Venetian dialect for “Thank you Mr. Bapah”.
There may be a delay in the broadcast given your timezone.
About 3 centuries. I’m in YOUR future and I ALREADY know who won.
Txt me pls
G I A N T S
I really wish I felt the same. Honestly. I do. But enjoy? Not possible. Not until the last out is recorded with the Giants victorious.
I would love to see Cubs Giants series.
This will be granted to you, you faithful Orange & Black disciple.
Grazie.
Prego.
At the ballpark — they handed out Mets toilet paper https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bbea8f2fe5c2b0da67360cc863ac7a39f705073cd22f5809dd5b66b939b4569a.jpg
orange + black baby… are they nuts : )
Some great insight by some posters on this blog , a poster posted the 2 switch hitters on the Mets were in the lineup to face Romo, and another poster posted to him your so smart, people pay attention those 2 switch hitters are the Mets best hitters in the 2nd half besides maybe Cespedes , and they start every day.
Uh?
Posterized
So you’re posting that other posters posted posts that the first posters didn’t post…
Good post,
Hunter Pence wears number 8. Eugenio Velez once wore Number 8.
In between Jeff Keppinger wore number 8.
http://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-giants/2010/12/3/1854070/san-francisco-giants-offseason-eugenio-velez-non-tender-russell-martin
I know that, in the past, I’ve been somewhat skeptical of your self-proclaimed baseball expertise, but this is such an insightful comment that I may have to rethink my position.
About time you gave credit where credit is due. Thank you Daddy Malloy.
Hey there Malloy? Still hung up on the Michael Brown hands up stuff? You’re kinda popular on all the south bay blogs.
http://www.sanjoseinside.com/2016/08/30/sjpd-chief-eddie-garcia-more-gun-control-laws-needed-black-lives-matter-a-valid-movement/
http://www.sanjoseinside.com/2015/01/28/inside-sjpd-police-chiefs-laugh-at-crime-city-rules-in-emails/2/
I’ll tell you what I won’t forget. He was standing in the dugout (or maybe the tunnel)(not watching the game for some reason) and took one squarely. Deserved what he got. He did the same thing on the field.
Velez?
Here is a picture fom this afternoon from a legal colleague’s office. You can see the Statue of Liberty in the harbor and the reflection of my Champion Blood tee shirt on the bottom https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ce69e88d87f180918a33fc44498aa88b7deef5d20e3a52da09551e32ac8f7420.jpg
Good call on the shirt. Bring home a win
So envious …would love to be there.
Beeing prone to vertigo, I could never enjoy this view for real.
Just remember this- if we do lose tonight, it’s only 4 1/2 months and we get do it all over again.
YEP. After that I calmed down and I can go serenely to sleep. Good night all. 1 am here.
We’ll call if something interesting develops.
+ 39-041-5294508
No negative thinking
…and if that is the case, what changes would you like for next year’s roster? I’m sure you have thoughts 🙂
That’s forward thinking.
It looks like Sydegard put on a little weight since he pitched lasy https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0958807fbe6dbf0873d449bde19561d767f1b3b76538642eb0ad50afc25e352a.jpg
Once again, this amazing group of baseball fans gets to enjoy postseason baseball together. Thank you Greek Giant.
Speaking of…. has anybody checked to see if there were any voices still hanging around Baggs blog that don’t know about this place?
I looked at his game site that posted at 3:42. 0 posts.
There are almost no comments at the end of any SJMN posts. Still good writing, but they must feel strange to have lost their following. I have noticed that Philip Fabiani didn’t follow to here, I’m kind of sad about that. But a few of the lurkers did pop up out of the woodwork. I’m terrified by the frog pictures you had below!
That’s right. I hadn’t realized that until you mentioned it. I’d say there’s a 47.6% chance he eventually finds his way here.
That’s best laugh of the day so far!
I sorta like the brightly colored one. It’s probably poisonous.
Who are you calling a lurker!?
Bingo. Fabiani and Dave Amoroso
Took awhile to figure it out, but I made my way. Doesn’t hurt for someone to post occasionally of this site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk04jBuyO10
Alright Folks. Heading out to bar with my dear Giant Fan Good Friends to watch, drink, high five and drink some more.
Everyone take a deeeeep breath myself included, time to mojofy our boys!!
GO GIANTS!!!!!
Doctor Seuss and Vin Scully both used this quote at one time or another.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”
I hope my/our Mama Bears and Papa Bears get our wishes tonight. Perspective will be tough on this blog later tonight if those wishes don’t come true.
Allen Hirsch is rallying the troops up in the Big Ball Park in the sky.
Zimmer-Davenport-Durocher-Rod Beck-Bobby Bonds – Jose Pagan – Jose Uribe – Jim Ray Hart – Monte Irvin – Dave Bergman – Chris Brown – Darryl Hamilton – Alvin Dark – Wendall Kim – Al Rosen – Bobby Thomson and many others.
Russ Hodges – Lon Simmons and Bill King are doing the Heavenly broadcast. We have Giant Fans in HIGH places.
http://allenh.zenfolio.com/p437111675
Go Giants! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1bb12a3c9b02704ad6903f1f4384997115a25ec254fda8c1ae12b83cd1f8d28a.jpg
Lets Go Giants!
I am on my way home, picking up the kids to get home on time. Unfortunately, Mr GGF is out of town for most of October, so am on exclusive kids duty during most of the play off games and may be distracted throughout. I am still confident the Giants season is not over yet after tonight but getting nervous! Go Gigantes!
Get a lot of ice cream, and lock them in the kitchen with spoons.
LOL yes and on Giants game nights it’s all left overs or pizza for dinner. They do seem to sense that they can get more from Mom during games. I tend to be less strict 🙂
Put At Bat up on your phone and one ear bud. The kids will understand.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJpGHR6ofus
Finnerty’s 2014
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=07O9TB33JYk
Is there any way to stop people’s avatar from popping up when you roll-over it? I hate it here AND on Google Mail.
Don’t annoy the crazy person!! Ha ha ha !
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0f14125e5c5d534a56f28f8155153e8113282733c9eca2c2359e499464e9a44c.jpg
Surf – You ARE the Giants’ mojo!
Efrain in the middle ? No, I kid. But no Efrain at the park I gather. Yo, E!
Post of the last century
you guys look mah-va-lus !
Duane Kuiper on KNBR just said that when he got on the bus to come to the park Madison Bumgarner was sitting there sleeping he’s the guy I want on the mound tonight
OK, everyone’s ready. From left: Pence, Pagan, Posey, MadBum, Belt, Panik, Craw https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/12950d3f0525e63d52a84f00afaea3169095de17af233662104a1097f25743f0.jpg
where’s the good luck doggie ???
She’s around!
That a Pagan disco move, or is he begging you?
stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive.
very nervous…good luck guys
This is our ninth elimination game since 2012. It’s not getting any easier, is it?
why am i more nervous for this than i was for any of the others? got to go. watching the game with a friend, and my die heart met fan wife. ugh
Good luck – no teevee here, gotta go to the bowling alley nearby.
Vamos, Chicos!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7cf3ae89993143ffc0b3a624b0051001f4f41f7bb1ff1f35263c7a492ffc930c.jpg
Ok guys the Pepto Bismal, Alka Seltzer, and Pepcidid are all ready to go! Special 3 for the price of 2 before 1st pitch if you hurry!
Cold beer in da fridge. I’m outta here. I crushed it at work today. High, deep, outta here!
where you going lieutenant?
nice purdy piece over on SJMN on posey + bochy
http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/10/04/bochy-and-posey-the-belichick-and-brady-of-baseball-are-why-october-loves-the-giants/
I’m hoping for a Mets error in the out field tonight.
I want to see the Giants score on an RTI.
TF should get that copyrighted.
I’m going to cry. ESPN has blacked out the game to all MLB subscribers.
Whatttt?
That sucks
BASTARDOS!
(Not Antonio.)
That’s terrible.
Corporate powers are screwing us and ruining our country.
As they have for more than 150 years.
Solved it, me and Mr. V-P-N just moved to the Netherlands for the evening.
You mean online or …. ?
Online, I ditched cable TV over a year ago.
ridiculous ! i just hate the way the cable corps have made watching sports so dang expensive – i won’t pay it and am waiting for the day when you can get what you want alacarte’ and pay accordingly – not those souped up packages with lord knows what on 200 channels for $$$$
in the meantime if it ain’t on broadcast i don’t watch and follow the game on radio
Okay folks I’m officially nervous I really am that’s why I’m joking around to make myself feel better my stomach is starting to Bubble and I had to let the windows down in my work truck just keeping it real go Giants
Tecate and lime.
You have game coverage figured out?
Radio.
Atta boy. My Giants radio moment is listening to 2002 WS game 6 in Newport Oregon, constantly moving my truck to get The Leader without static.
I moved the computer to Europe and outflanked ESPN. Back to TV.
Just like when Romo nervously laughed at Bochy….
Just curious … should this count as a postseason game? Literally it is, but it’s more like a play-in to the tournament isn’t? But marketing is marketing. Has anyone noticed if the Mets found compression gear that matches their colors, or are they still shopping in the Sports Authority clearance rack?
MLB officially considers it a postseason game, as to allowable players on the rosters, stats, etc. In contrast, if there’d been a Game 163 for a tiebreaker, that would have been considered a regular season game–in the Giants’ case, Beckham would have been eligible, and I think you can still have the expanded rosters.
It’s officially a postseason game.
1) yes
Nice national anthem. Skip the clumsy lyrics.
And the 10 minute singing version
And the notes were perfect.
Time for the game now. Good luck to the Giants.
Hope we meet up Friday, brother!
Buster is serious. Hasn’t shaved in a month
I wish The Reverend would! Not caring for the Ginger Baker look!
excellent comp
Pence needs his fro cut.
Jeremiah Johnson maybe?
Hey look! They’re waving SFG orange flags! How nice of those friendly Mets fans.
Give the NFL one thing … they don’t let the teams wear just any damned color sleeves. OK, I’m dropping it.
Good luck boys. It’s win or go home…and you’re already packed for Chicago!
Yep … time to accept luck with no misgivings. Bring it on.
Score early.
and often!
Lets do this
Get on base any way you can. Anything can happen afterwards.
This ESPN repartee would gag a maggot.
Carmena Burana in the background…nice!
I like that Denard looks at pitches. He seems to be better when he sees a few from the dugout first.
Getting Noah’s pc up will be important.
I find it annoying when analysts and announcers always call a guy buy his nickname. I prefere Synergarrd and not Thor, Byrnes was constatnly saying madbum instead of Bumgarner
I have to listen to this, which is probably better for me than watching in case things go wrong 😮
welcome to the over-the-air crew !
I am recording it though if it ends well. Then I can watch it after the U2 concert
Have fun at the concert! Probably less stressful.
Thanks!
Listening, keeping score, and watching later is not bad.
Me too, and syncing the KNBR feed to the ESPN tv feed. Listening to our guys is always better than the national broadcasters. Enjoy!!
Long may it wave… deep into October.
GIANTS!! GO !!!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e39d86cf4fd7f0a1b737fa8ba2e9ec1e4d1ee9701e6c4c1f484affd49dcfbf4a.jpg
Krukow should try to go a game without saying “he just missed it.” First of all, so what? Second of all, pros almost always just miss it.
considering he did not come close to squaring up any of them says enough about homer boy
15 pitches out of Syndergaard, I’ll take that.
We’ll get him second time around.
This guy is very good man Thor
Fans here are beyond the normal obnoxious
Be safe, bro.
New York fans are sub-human filth.
Giants time to go HO ome
Hopefully no throwing of beer cans
Got your SFG gear on?
Of course
Start chanting, “Let’s go Giants.” We’ll listen for you.
They’re nervous aren’t they?
Maybe they think they have no chance this year with all their star pitchers hurt and want this season over as quickly as possible. That’s how I see the Mets.
Just remind them that the Mets are half Dodger and half Giant
Its all Dodger half
They DO focus more on the blue than the Orange.
Bastards !
Lol. I can imagine.
Syndergaard gets two strikes on a batter and they act like they won the WS
Yes, but the blog also has its good points.
Carmot and MLBSF
7 pitch inning. Atta boy Bum.
Very cool!
Bum up around 92 93 early with solid life
Attababe, Bummy.
How you feeling dr. Left-hander
Like I’m gonna puke
Lol
Have the bag ready
Just. 6 pitches. That’s a good sign
In the first inning? absolutely
Looks as if he’s going to pitch to contact in the early innings. To me, that says he’s got complete game on his mind.
No HRs Bum and maybe we can squeeze a run or 2 off Thor man.
Even I’ll admit a squeeze tough at 99 🙂
Reyes … Granderson … what year is this?
So far this seems like it could be one of those outcome-depends-on-who-makes-a-mistake type games.
In the playoffs that’s advantage Giants usually right?
Often enough
I am a nervous wreck
Me too.
& me
Me three!
Ditto
Me too
Baseball playoffs are excruciating. Delicious, but excruciating.
It’s the best.
Boy do I like being at home a lot better. Which each zero they put up, they have a huge statistical advantage. 24 outs to only 21 now.
Here’s hoping for some home playoff games in the immediate future . . .
Breathe people, breathe.
Love the orange towels. Can help us too.
Ugh… Which batters are going to figure out the opposing pitcher first. Or which pitcher will falter?
Don’t forget about defense.
I can barely handle thinking about pitching and hitting right now…
I’m thinking Pagan has none chance vs. Syndergaard, and then it happens. Pagan was out before he threw that pitch.
Angel took notes.
He’s gonna get ‘im…
Shhh…faith. Hang in, Brother
Your hate for 16 is showing threw John. Syndy is getting everybody out
This Synderburger guy is pretty good.
The only thing I like about the game being the road is it’s a true night game, no annoying ESPN Pacific time zone shadows!
No sun in NY anyway 🙂
Pretty good approach … get strike one and coax a pop up
I wonder if Pence went preacher on everyone before the game…
Lots of popups
Yeah, I’d like to see some ground balls to Crawford. This is working so far, but…concerning.
Pitches are high. Maybe part of game plan or Bum is amped
Anyone for Romo vs. Bruce for about 18 pitches again? No … I didn’t think so
I think that was 6 outs and 6 pop ups
1 ground out back to bum.
5 pop ups and a ground ball to Bum. 14 pitches through 2 innings
If the Giants win this, you got your raincoat and escape route identified.
Pop-ups > Strikeouts. More efficient.
Like the final out of 2014 … 🙂
I wondered that too. Pop-ups worry me more, since maybe the hitter is just a little bit off from banging it somewhere. SOs take more time and so might tax the pitcher more. Result?: toss-up
I like to see that good curve show up, going down, down, down! 🙂
Need to give the Giants hitters 3 innings. Let’s see what the 2nd time around looks like
I would love for the Giants to surprise us and hit this guy
I mean he’s good but he ain’t no Mike lacoss
Buffy!
We have before!
Holiday
Bum is good for 12 frames today.
#oldschool
Big cut from Bruce. That scares the sheet out of me
I think Jay Bruce and Jeromy Burnitz are the same guy
I know he’s pitching strikes but patience guys….
I WAS counting on a little more contact from our contact hitters. Harrumpf
That’s an easy 98
I don’t think you’d see the Panik 8-62 graphic on a CSNBA broadcast.
The Giants look like I do at the batting cage with the 95MPH setting. You have no arm to time to so you commit to swinging as soon as the ball is seen. The Giants are starting to commit to swing while the ball is in his hand
Horrible call by Kuiper.
I was about to wake up my daughter too.
I was just thinking the same thing Kuiper gets too excited too quickly
I got excited too! But it was cool that the crowd went stone-silent while that ball was in the air.
Damn Bum, hardest hit ball of the night so far, right?
Both Syndergaard and Bumgarner have 3 knocks each this year.
Reallly…? Didn’t know that about Snydaweizen…
Have to be able to get the barrel on the ball, like MadBum just did.
He did it on a first pitch slider, which is simply amazing. I’m hoping the 2nd time through , they time it up a bit. But, Noah looks incredibly locked in….
Wow!
Wouldn’t that be cool if Bum were to win it for the G’Men with his bat!?!
Could very well happen
Someone’s getting shut out tonight
and someones giving up 1 mistake pitch.
Either way looks like we’ll have plenty of time to drink about it. Assuming it only goes 9
Great call Mario
Thanks
Easy call clutch
FIgures the guy in there for his glove/arm gets the first hit
And that’s how it’s done.
Yes double play
Is there anything better than a first pitch double play after lead off single….BOOM
It’s so satisfying.
Wow … slick adjustment by the Gold Glove All World shortstop
Defense! clapclap clap
21 pitches…3 innings.
If this game comes to late game decisions, I’ll take Bochy despite this year’s head scratching.
We can all start scratching now…
Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to that.
I’ve never seen Bum having such low pitch count through 3.
“And it’s another quick inning for Bumgarner”.
Wow.. 3 innings in 40 mins..
2 robots from Westworld on the mound tonight. And one in the broadcast booth.
Second time up for our hitters. Let’s see if they adjust.
This kid is unhittable right now. First time through, most of the Giants hitters were simply overmatched.
Bum did OK
Grant Brisbee @mccoveychron 37 seconds ago
Madison Bumgarner:
21 pitches
16 strikes
19 fastballs
2 sliders
Snyderhauzen will be got… I know it.
Throwing every damned thing for a strike
Eff the in game interview. Who here likes it? Speak up.
Hate it
It annoyes me so so much. I always yell at the TV when they do this. They should focus on the game.
We have international agreement.
Hate it too. But at least they’re interviewing players and managers, not actors and asking about their new release this weekend.
I like it as much as a random telemarketer, which is not at all.
I would like to hear more dugout talk. Let the producers sort it out properly.
hate it
Noah’s stuff combined with a wide strike zone is a bad combo.
Good AB to start
Great AB Span.
SPAN
Excellente Span.
I’m intrigued.
Terrific at bat by D Span
Big loop in that swing by Belt
Just bunt please Belt.
Span trimmed his beard. Looks good.
SEND HIM
The Giants hitters aren’t looking great, but they ARE looking hungry. This is good.
Come on, he looked safe
Yes safe
Looked safe
Dammit Belt …. they were giving you a hit
I’m seeing safe.
Bad tag. Safe
absolutely safe
Safe
He’s safe. got to be
Did his leg come off?
BS
No fricking way
Replay is wiorthless
Has been forever …. they call what they want. Go back to that homerun where the runner missed the plate. They decided they didn’t want to call it that way so they didn;t
are you kidding me?
Damn. First break for the Mets.
First bad call.
WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
I think there was a moment when his front came off the bag.
Disagree
NY bias
home cookin
The foot came off before the knee hit the bag
The replay review center is in NY so there you go
Wrong
Mets fans in the replay booth
Unbelievable.
eff offff
Good news is the big swede is missing.
Awful call
Fck this.. Just hit a home run
He was safe
BAD call
Even the met fans here thought he was safe
So annoying, the Giants, or at least Span, can’t do what the rest of the league could do.
Are you kidding me? He was safe and the catcher had a perfect pitch to throw on.
Get some more pitches out of him this inning.
Thor looks vulnerable right now which is why that call hurts even more
New York is a sewer with nothing but pusballs living there.
True … but true about Washington and Chicago too
Sanydergarten giving up walks now… it’s starting.
Pitch count is getting up there a little. So, Mets bullpen…good but (more) hittable than Syndergaard?
He can go 120
Don’t steal Belt
He went 0-4 early in the season and hasn’t budged since.
I was joking
Damn Posey drilled that
Pence is going to run into something here
WHAT A JOKE. Officially angry beyond all compare.
So angry. Made the wrong call twice…..
Makes you wonder!!! A lot about pro sports makes me wonder. Terrible beyond belief.
Yup horrible
If he’d been called safe, the call would have stood as well. There was just enough uncertainty about whether his front foot came off to prevent a reversal.
But they didn’t explain why it was upheld. At all. Shady.
They said it was upheld, not confirmed.
If the question is the foot coming off, you have to call him safe, because there is no question he beat the play. But don’t kid yourself … they are not making these calls based on what they see. They are playing Supreme Court and calling things in way they think is best for the game.
If the evidence supporting a reversal isn’t clear, they’re supposed to confirm the call on the field.
They start getting to him. They just need to stay patient.
ake up strike for the letter high fastball
Umps going to chip in for the Mets now…
Robot Umpires & fire all existing umpires.
Oh, they’ll control it from “New York.”
Silicon valley does robots better. Bring those guys in for technical advise.
Noah’s pitch count took some water that inning
If the damn field ump had gotten the call right they never would have overturned.
you know they would have.
Ball4
F-you Umpire’s Union. Go drive off a cliff.
When can we get robot umpires in this game?
I’m ready dude!
When you become their (robots) lab rat you’ll regret those words.
Walks are great but moot without subsequent contact. Positives: Snuggleburger’s pitch count is creeping up.
Posey hit a rocket
True…
Not really … well under 15 per inning
On average yes, but he issued 2 walks that inning.
Second time through Synergaard trying many more secondary pitches that he is missing with. The Giants are not touching his heat.
Belt should’ve tried to bunt with Span on 1st. Probably would’ve had 2 on.
Yeah … that would have been playoff baseball when they give it to you. Bunting Noah is no sure thing of course, but one try would have been called for
He walked — if the umps don’t screw up the call. Could have had first and second and nobody out or if he hits a grounder to the right side a runner at third and one out.
+50 for first small ball request.
Score first … it’s huge
Asdrubal tried to pull a Pablo
Bum finds a K pitch!
Yes!
Great pitch. Bum has established the curve this inning
They have laid off a lot of good ones up to this point.
not for strikes
On purpose
Mets wearing him out this inning … and he’s made a lot of good pitches
A great dual going on here. Pitching duals can’t hold a national tv audience.
It’s got the fans by the throat, though.
Great description.
And that explains a lot about the state of the country 🙂
Hats off to Bum. Thor, too. But this is not the kind of game we can win, on the road.
Beg me to disagree with vigor!
militant optimism!
7 Up yours!
Sure it is!
Extra inning one and done games favor the home team.
Neither was Game 7
or against the reds, in 2012
Had a better bullpen in 2012.
You do realize that we are being no hit?
Our bats are about to bust out!
Tell me how and I’ll believe you
93 MPH — slider. Ugh.
Hey, speeds up the bat. Bum hit it!
Pence and Posey have the best success against him historically and each has one hard hit ball. Hopefully as PJ says maybe one pulls one out.
This is epic.
Ya. Good stuff Maynard.
Homeresque.
If all else fails, you have to hit him.
“The Giants were 57-33 at the break. The best record in baseball.
EVEN BETTER THAN THE CUBS!!!!”
Wow Dan Schulman…
and ended up only 10 games over 500.
Don’t you have a home? 🙂
12, actually
Any other teams in the playoffs have a sub 500 second half?
No hitter waiting to be exploded.
We have to start talking up Syndergaard’s no hitter in order to jinx it.
This feels like the kind of game where a guy has a no hitter through 7 then loses the game.
Unfortunately Dave Roberts is not guest managing the Mets tonight ……
And there’s your first mistake. Barf
Jay Bruce up next. I don’t like this.
.220 against LH
O, what a weak arm
Rainbow arm
This is where that bad umpire review really hurts.
end of the bat
Why was Pagan jogging over to pick that one up? I guess because he knew he couldn’t throw the guy out anyway.
He wanted to show off his rainbow.
“That makes me smart”
Your hate for 16 is palpable
How many runs have the weak arms of Pagan and Span cost this year?
K this B*****
I can hear Krukow now: “strikeout situation”! And got ’em!!!
Was thinking exactly the same thing. “He was pitching for the K and he got it.”
My fear coming true… the no-offense Giants showed up tonight. Just as they had so often in the 2nd half.
I prefer the lots-o-hits Giants.
This IS a tip the cap night, but of course they’ve overused that
Boy a lot of MLB hitters wont run out a missed third strike catch. It’s a lot of trouble I guess
Saving himself for the next round I guess.
Massive K by Bum. Still work to do but that was badly needed.
7-8-9 up …. and I assume he’ll figure out Rivera someday soon
Can afford to be careful with this guy with Loney and the Pitcher up.
dubm rook
Is this guy the worst pitch framer in the game? What a Little Leaguer … he jerks that thing 6 inches. Clown. He shouldn’t get the call on that alone
You’re telling me the FAT Rivera gets to second? Boo
bad and good base running
Not a good run down … that cost them an IBB and potentially having Thor lead off
nope
Bad run down play by SFG
Yo. About the mushroom. Some respect please.
Snot rockets my man snot rockets.
What kind of shroom is that? It is not a teonanactl.
Crawford should have sprinted right at him and the rundown should have only taken two throws at most. Then they could have pitched to Loney.
Yep … could be huge next inning
Post of my lifetime. Should have been 2-3 throws max
Craw is great at rundowns
Three in the booth can sometimes be a crowd. This trio is pretty smooth.
I’m listening to the radio. Can’t stand the TBS guys. Krukow sucks but the rest are pretty good.
Krukow has gotten worse over the years.
It’s ESPN
Let’s hope that’s his only long inning.
Why would a grown man put on a wig and carry a hammer to watch a baseball game?
Alcohol.
But he probably planned to do it before he started drinking.
Developmentally stuck in adolescence.
Bum is a stud!!!!
He is. However, I’m gonna say right now, if he loses this game because the team is no hit, or cannot score, the blame will be on them, not him. He’s doing his job.
Only twice in my life have I completely muted the sound–TV, radio–during an inning. Both of them had Jay Bruce taking an AB. Sometimes I just can’t even stand any sound.
I’m reading you guys and watching later, IF …
That K was clutch
When I videotaped the 2002 playoffs 3 of the games came out with no sound because I told my son to turn the volume _down_, but he muted it instead. That’s OK. They lost 2 of them.