by
GreekGiant
Tonight’s Game: Giants (87-75) Vs Cubs (103-58) at Wrigley Field, 8:00 pm
Johnny Cueto (18-5, 2.79) vs Jon Lester (19-5, 2.44), (Regular Season Stats)
The Starting Lineups
Giants
1. Hernandez CF
2. Belt 1B
3. Posey C
4. Pence RF
5. Pagan LF
6. Crawford SS
7. Tomlinson 2B
8. Gillaspie 3B
9. Cueto P
Cubs
1. Fowler CF
2. Bryant 3B
3. Rizzo 1B
4. Zobrist LF
5. Russell SS
6. Heyward RF
7. Baez 2B
8. Ross C
9. Lester P
After an epic victory in the N.L. Wild Card game that will be remembered for a long time, the Giants face the Cubs in the first game of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field. I have always believed it was an advantage to open a postseason series on the road where the pressure is on the home team to win both games. The Giants will be pitching Johnny Cueto, their second ace against Jon Lester, a postseason veteran, in what I prognosticate will be a low-scoring contest. The Cubs beat the Giants 4 games to 3 in the season series. Every one of those games was a tense and hard-fought display of taut baseball.
The Giants Have Added a Hypnotist to Their Coaching Staff
The key for the Giants will be scoring runs against the outstanding Cubs pitching staff. The press and fans enjoy their praise of Kris Bryant, the likely 2016 MVP, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell. Each of these stars is deserving of accolades after posting superb seasons. But as I see it, the Cubs starting staff has been an under-rated force in the team’s 103-win season. The Giants must find a way to hit for some power and manufacture runs against the tough and gritty Cubs starters if they want to advance their way into history. During the regular season games between the two teams runs were at a premium and the Giants struggled mightily at the plate, particularly at Wrigley Field. They may be inclined to manufacture offense as early as possible in order to score that ever precious first run.
We all know that the Giants were in some sort of second half hitting self-esteem crisis when they last played the National League Chicagoans. This explains the recent hire of a professional hypnotist for the Giants coaching staff to de-hypnotize the hitters from their funk (It was announced on twitter through Baggarly’s feed). Rumors are entering escape velocity that the hypnotist’s role will be to convince the Giants batters that they are worthy of winning this series and deserve to score as many runs as their hearts desire. According to sources the hypnotist will counsel that they should forgive their grievances against their dads and play like its a new season.
108 Years
Everybody who follows baseball understand the weight of history. In no sport does a team’s legacy play such a large part of the narrative around its fanbase. For the Cubs, that 108 year World Series slump will be a permanent fixture around their identity until they bring home a title. Is this the year? To put things into perspective for the pre-2010 long-suffering Giants fans, the last time the Cubs won the World Series Pierre August Renoir was busy painting 16 year-old red-haired nymphs in the nude and Rasputin was getting assassinated after defiling half of the Russian female population. That’s a long time. The question is, will the Cubs feel this pressure as an inspirational motivational transubstantiational impulse? Or will it simply be another weight of self-fulfilling prophetic ruin? Cubs manager John Maddon appears to have created a culture of confidence, levity, and fun around his team.We will see how that translates on the postseason baseball diamond against our mighty Giants.
I have always believed that teams like the Cubs, Indians and Red Sox (till they won the 2004 World Series) were and are held hostage by the loser’s narrative of its fans when it comes to baseball history. I believe owners of a baseball team, indeed every sports team, must first brand their team with a culture and narrative of winning that is proactive and impervious to negative history. It is no coincidence that the Cubs evolution into a power began with the purchase of the team by Tom Ricketts. Similarly, it took Peter Magowan to save the Giants and give us the House that Barry Built, paving the way for the current ownership to bestow upon us a vision and stewardship of championship baseball. Time will tell if the Cubs can go all the way and finally put that 108 number to rest.
The Giants Take the Next Step Towards Dynastic Immortality
I mentioned in the preview to the Wild Card game that no team in National League history has ever won four World Series titles in one decade, let alone in a seven year span. Tonight, the Giants begin the second phase of this historic quest that will put them into unique company and polish their Dynasty credentials even brighter. Certainly the players don’t think of these things but it is fun for us fans to embrace these narratives and indulge in some romantic baseball yearning. I believe the Giants are a much better team today, going into this best of five series, than they were when they faced the Cubs in the regular season. The Giants are confident, battle-tested, and playing inspired baseball thanks to their new shiny five game winning streak. They are 11 wins away from greatness. Defeating the Cubs in this series will add to the legend of Bruce Bochy as a manager who is a postseason genius, continuously out-smarting his more heavily-favored opponents and getting his players to play their absolute best as a team.
Some Questions
1. Which bullpen will be the strongest in the series?
2. Will the Cubs use the 108 year drought as an inspiration or a self-fulfilling prophecy?
3. How much will Eduardo Nunez play, if at all, in game 1?
4. Will the Giants exploit Jon Lester’s struggles with holding runners on?
5. Where will Surf Maui go for his customary steakhouse visit?
This Division Series promises to be a battle of heavyweights, one that may determine the next World Series champion. The baseball world and Giants nation can’t wait. I’m prepping the Margaritas.
George’s Exquisite Hand-Made Superbly Wonderful Margarita
4 ounces Patron Silver Tequila
2 ounces freshly-squeezed lime juice
2 ounces Cointreau
3 ounces Lemon Perrier
Combine ingredients, stir and pour over a glass filled with ice cubs. Garnish with a lime wedge and lightly salt glass rim with coarse kosher salt after wiping rim with lime wedge. Serve with Giants postseason baseball.
Breckeroni says Johnny C – will be On His Game
(a) Make Lester field bunts
(b) Make Lester throw to first base
Wash Rinse Repeat
Terrific, ClutchUp. Keeping with the Breckeroni tradition for first post. Gotta keep it going!
Nerves haven’t kicked in yet.
Watch the old Tum Tum – Like Lefty says “They are Playing with House Money”
Good Lord it’s a HR fest in TX. Where do they find such ‘meh’ pitchers?
This was supposed to be the year they have pitching.
Tomorrow’s Dallas Morning News headline:
YU MUST BE KIDDING ME
F YU
Sorry hope there are no kids on this blog.
We had a high school kid a few years back: Rumor Central.
I thought that was just another of Foothill’s aliases
Really? I thought he was for real.
Maybe I”m thinking of someone else
or P YU!
Did U miss UR calling?
Yes. …maybe
You’re on a roll, Bro.
A hypnotist. I love it!!!
And yes Greek it is definitely a Margarita day, that recipe is a good one, I do prefer using Grand Marnier instead of the Cointreau, but we all have different taste buds. Thanks for the usual excellent write-up. So pleased that you and family are safe!
I feel relaxed again for this game.
GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!
Oh yeah.
Giants Game Notes
http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/4/1/6/205303416/10.7.16_NLDS_1_at_CHC_supb93x5.pdf
Cubs Game Notes
http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/8/1/0/205292810/October_7_NLDS_G1_vs._SF_i232i09r.pdf
I think we all could use hypnosis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfuQPnJ33ZI
If Bochy runs into trouble after today he will forgo Gideon and tell his boys about the True Romance between the brotherhood on the Giants TEAM.
Bochy as Christopher Walken (Don Vincenzo Coccotti) will tell his boys about Maddons Sicilian mafia in ChiTown and the rest will be history….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3yon2GyoiM
That’s funny.
Bruce Bochy: “No one calls me an egg plant and gets away with it”
Great Movie Line!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/493638ef6590f6f136bd04994bbdc9852dd18d68b1cc3f094e1aca598605bae8.gif
So true.
The thing about Chicago themed songs, they work just as well for the road team.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pSAz_lVLIJo
What’s your shipping rate for the margaritas?
I don’t ship them. They don’t travel well. But they are free at my place! All Giants fans are welcome!
Invite Barry Lamar Over to your crib
Johnny C – Press Conference https://www.facebook.com/Giants/videos/10153886523386828/
Remember when Cincy failed to challenge the ball hit by Molina? Karma….
http://www.closecallsports.com/2016/10/manfred-on-cin-stl-missed-call-price.html
Just read this on the prior thread and think it should be rerun:
cubestepper • 8 hours ago
Hello everyone! First time poster! I’ve been a lurker from back in the Giants Extra days as early as 2010 or 2011 I think. From Baggarly to Pavlovic, back to Baggarly, and then the mass exodus that led everyone here (props to Dr. Lefty, who has always been a favorite).
Warning, this is going to be a little long-winded, but I promise future posts will be straight and to the point.
I’ve lived in St. Louis for 6 years now, but I’m originally from the Bay Area and my father started taking me to Giants games starting in 1986 when I was 9 (Will Clark has always been my favorite player). I experienced Game 4 of the 1987 NLCS, Games 3, 4, and 5 of the 1989 NLCS, Games 3 and 4 of the 1989 WS, earthquake and all, Dave Dravecky’s comeback game against the Reds, and many many other great Candlestick moments. I left California in 1997, so I only get to see them in SF once a year when I visit family during the off-season, but I proudly wore my orange and black in 2012 at Games 3 and 5 against the Cards, and Games 1 and 2 of the 2014 NLCS.
I just wanted to say how much this blog has meant to me over the years. My uncle passed away in March 2015 at just 44. I introduced him to baseball and the Giants around 1991, teaching him about the game and the various rules, answering questions about certain situations, and he grew to love the game and the team that I loved. We were like brothers, and we went to many games together. After he suffered a stroke and a heart attack, with his health declining and unable to walk on his own, I would rent him a wheelchair during visits and take him on Caltran to AT&T Park. He was so appreciative and the look on his face when I took him around the park during batting practice was something I’ll never forget. During the 2010 run, while living in St. Louis, we would Skype in preparation for the game, and because we hated listening to Joe Buck and Co., I would sync up the radio broadcast to the TV broadcast, and he would listen to Kruk and Kuip with me. We watched every postseason game together (the ones I didn’t attend) in every WS year. I’d read him the articles from here before and after each game, we’d listen to the post-game shows together, and talk baseball almost every day.
The Giants making the postseason this year has reminded me that this is my first postseason without him. While it’s bittersweet, I am thankful he lived long enough to see his team finally bring a championship to San Francisco not once, not twice, but three times. And I have enough in me to root for the team I’ve loved since I was a child for myself and for him as well.
So thanks to you all. I know you didn’t know it until now, but all of you unknowingly were a baseball family to us.
If you made it this far, you’re a trooper!
Nice post, “CubStepper”!
Great JOB to Cubestepper and also to you Paul in PV.
We’ve lived vicariously through you and your famous Snorkel + “who is care”
Snorkel is down on the Cubs and Lester. He never cared for Lester.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5f2002d4c502c1bc963a70eb0d20f6de32ff997afda6e61bb7a63efd8cad9f47.jpg
That stare will make Lester throw balls up the right field line.
Ayup!
https://www.facebook.com/Break/videos/10154352489802792/
Great SIDE VIEW shot of swing contact – then first base Ump turning his head and then RF Line Umpire “going out to see”. I like the Mets SS – looking longingly at Conor.
https://www.facebook.com/Giants/videos/10153886583936828/
This is a great video Clutch! Thanks. Where did you get this? Did you shoot it?
Came off of Facebook
HAWESOME. Just like being there.
You’re right, paul! It is just like being there. Sights and sounds of the game. The crowd silenced. No calls, no announcers.
It was cool because you really saw the contact, which was missing from previous highlights. He POWDERED that pitch. :o)
He sure did, and he doesn’t remember exactly where the pitch was.
The no announcers made it so so different. Vin Scully used to stay silent for 100 seconds after announcing the beginning of special moments like Henry Aaron.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjqYThEVoSQ
You DO HEAR the Giants dugout However….”Get Out” – “Home Run” with Pagan grabbing his butt as he went by.
Great video Clutch.
Does anyone know if Natesfanmom got word on our exodus?
I copied her about one day after you blossomed …
In between the games in Chicago and San Fran Cisco – Maddon has arranged for his players to go Big Spool Riding on Mount Tam.
https://www.facebook.com/Break/videos/10154275313907792/
Bush 43 must be lurking up in one of the Rangers luxury boxes.Teams with the best regular season W-L records are guaranteed squat. My Xfinity on the go app is killing it.
The Blue Jays sure took that wild card momentum into this series. The Rangers don’t know what hit them. Let’s hope that the Giants do the same. I am sure the Cubs Fans are watching!
Some Cubs fans are interpreting the Blue Jays’ performance as a good sign for the Cubs. I asked what their reasoning was and they declined to elaborate.
Great Lakes Effect? Bwahaw!
Good news! Surgery postponed until December, so I can enjoy the Giants’ playoff games this weekend.
Bad news: The reason it was postponed is that the doctor said it’s going to be such a bad recovery that I’d better wait until the break between quarters. He said my tooth is “the worst he’s ever seen” in terms of the procedure I need. It’s nice to be special. Thankfully, I’m not in pain–my regular dentist referred me after my checkup/X-ray, not because I was having problems–so I can wait.
Good Luck with everything Lefty.
DAMMIT!!!!!!!We wanted Together We Are Entertained By Sedated Lefty blog….
But, a begrudging congrats and good luck…it will be perfect when he’s done
Sounds rough! What kind of procedure is this??
Extraction + a graft so that I can later have an implant and crown. I had a root canal on the tooth about 10 years ago, and apparently having had a root canal makes it more complicated, and it was a bad root canal, to begin with. The doctor also somewhat indirectly/politely opined that the root canal wasn’t well done, either. This (current) surgeon is supposed to be excellent.
It is clear the first dentist was a Dodger fan.
Good luck with it, but glad you can enjoy the Giant’s whupping the Cubbies!
I’ve spent many hours in the dentist chair unfortunately. I have an acid reflux that has eroded my teeth over the years, so I have a LOT of crowns, chipped teeth, fillings, even re-crowns. Sorry if TMI 🙂
Yeah, it’s not my first rodeo, either, but I’d had a peaceful period of maybe 7 years with no major procedures. The joys of aging, I guess.
Well, good for now. I am glad you can enjoy this weekend. However, it’s no fun having to wait for this and doing it on your break.
My dentist thought it would be OK to have it on a Friday and I’d be good to go by Monday, but the surgeon said nope. I’m right in the thick of a very busy quarter and am going to a big conference in less than two weeks–I don’t need a medical/dental detour if I can postpone it. So yeah, it’s a bummer to burn some of the break, but on the other hand, I’m lucky to have such breaks.
Your oral surgeon sounds very sensible.
Yeah good decision then.
Winnie will help care for your every need. You’ve done it for her. Time to repay.
Great news for us too!
Hopefully you’ll have a blu-ray and parade to get you thru December…
Matthew – You can build this event into the next Beauty Opening
https://www.facebook.com/Break/videos/10154171259812792/
Can you even imagine this Dbag had he come near Posey – Pagan or Pence. What a freaking coward
https://www.facebook.com/Break/videos/10154354899142792/
What a douche! I’m surprised not more people are getting the heck away from him! Although I do like the one guy that calmly strolls into the McD midway through.
Hey George–Silver Patron is my go-to tequila, too. Maybe next year when the Giants go to Miami.
You and the Mr. have an open invitation Lefty. You have to come. We will have a great time in Miami.
You have excellent taste in tequila, Madame.
I’ll stick with Bing Crosby-Phil Harris Enterprises the very first importer of good tequila, Herradura.(That’s because they couldn’t get it in Bay Area) I like the silver or blanco, in the tall mexican version bottle with the tamper-proof neck. Nothing wrong with Patron, but when you spend a whole day at the Herradura plant (30 years ago), you have to be loyal. Plus it’s damned good. Anything good enough for Bing, and especially Phil, is good enough for me.
I also like Herradura.
Why is Blanco and Nunez on the roster? Aren’t these guys injured? Parker gives you a big bat off the bench. I could have done without Lopez and Casillia as well.
Cueto is hitting better than Parker.
Blanco and Nunez are injured. Makes no sense.
Pac, nothing seems to ever make sense to you. ;-(
I love you CC.
Back at you, my friend. May be your answer comes with how often Chicago pitchers give up the walk, and how poorly they manage runners on base in close games. They are only 23-22 in one run games.
We have a good chance in this series.
If the Giants pitch well, and play good, solid baseball, they may even have an edge.
how can you say that? bite your tongue.
It would be too heartbreaking to leave Blanco off the roster. Nunez is apparently close to coming back. Bochy wants a LOOGY for Anthony Rizzo. Casilla is actually okay unless it’s a save situation in which case he turns to jelly.
Still does not add up to me that Casilla didn’t allow a single inherited runner to score this season. Those situations seem way more high leverage to me.
Wow that is a freaky statistic.
He still stunk to high heaven.
That can’t be right. What about that game against the Cardinals a few weeks ago when Bochy started the ninth with Romo and then pulled him for Casilla after Romo gave up a hit? Casilla allowed that run to score, blew the save, and lost the game.
You are totally correct. BEFORE that game, that was true. I didn’t have memory of him being used in a high leverage situation like that with only two weeks to go. But you are completely correct that in one of his last appearances of the season, he let that inherited run score. I think he came in and walked a guy and then a hit? Possible a stolen base was in there somewhere…
Calling Parker a “big bat” is a bit of hyperbole.
wow for once we agree. The GIants hit so few HR, a bench guy with 5 HR all season is considered a big bat.
pac, you definitely have a point about Parker and his potential for power off the bench. Bochy decided to go with 12 pitchers. Andrew Baggarly explains: “The price of adding left-handed starting pitcher Matt Moore to the roster meant subtracting outfielder Jarrett Parker – their only significant power threat off the bench.”
I’m assuming Blanco has recovered. I think Gregor is in for his experience in the postseason, his defense, and as a pinch runner.
That seals it: Blanco with the walk off series winner in Game 4
I think he’ll do it on an RTI.
Interesting factoid about the 103 win Cubs, they played 4 games under their Pythagorean expectation of 107 wins. LOl.
I never liked that stat. It cannot account for idiosyncracies and intangibles. I
It also doesn’t account for running up the scores in 18 games against the Reds pitching staff and it’s -0.5 WAR.
That’s the one aspect nobody ever seems to mention in run differential. Who cares if you beat up on Reds, Rockies and Padres 5 starters by winning 12-4. I *am* a believer to a degree in run differential but adding on when a game is out of hand means nothing. And beating up on junk pitching you’ll never see in the postseason doesn’t mean much either. It’s a more telling stat when a team, like the Giants in the second half, has a decent run differential but awful record. That can go to show some bad luck.
Very good point. Conversely, when you have a great record like the Rangers do and only a so-so run differential, it usually means there is a problem somewhere. Look at what the Blue Jays are doing to the Rangers in the first two games of their ALDS.
The Cubs were barely 500 in the 45-50 one run games they played. It doesn’t deal with oddities like that.
Pythagorus, like Snorkel, never dug the cubs.
The 538 crew by the numbers have the Giants as 2/1 underdogs. I LOVE IT!
As long as Nate doesn’t fk up the election, I’m good.
Silver is an alum of the University of Chicago School of Economics. He has his priorities.
Ryan Theriot:
After much research, and soul searching,I’ve come to the conclusion that the @SFGiants will win the division series in 5. Sorry @Cubs
He finally came to his senses.
Ryan was “torn.” He resolved his ambivalence. I had a hunch he would go with the Giants, but I was watching his Twitter timeline to be sure.
Some kinda sleuthing, again. :o)
Some Brisbee levity, to while away the hours:
“I can’t believe the Giants are actually bad now. I just can’t believe it.” With every loss, I slunk deeper into a hole of, “I mean, maybe? It just seems so unlikely.” I think it was after the Ryan Schimpf game where I buried myself in potting soil in my backyard and started dictating these posts to a neighbor through a straw because I wanted to hide from the baseball.”
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2016/10/7/13203394/sf-giants-nlds-cubs-gulp
i’m terribly excited about the game tonight. The disaster that was the second half is over and this team is playing with confidence and swagger again. Every year … the goal is to win a WS. This team has risen to the occasion. Great season now let’s take it to the Cubs.
Me too, cannot even focus on work. Got my jersey on and ready to go!
I don’t buy ANY of the “Cubs are rusty”, or “have t been tested” rhetoric. They will be ready, and they have a lot of guys who flat out rake. Cueto has to be exceptional early, and we gotta score in the first three innings. Should be a great game!
I’m sure someone has already mentioned it, but the Bluejays have had three ex-Giants farmhands pitch today. Joe Biagini (rule 5), Jason Grilli (traded for Robb Nen), and Francisco Liriano (part of the infamous A.J. Pierzynski deal).
That Biagini one stings. I had no idea why they let him go like that. I thought at one point last season he was about to be called up!
He really pitched well today.
http://m.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-rangers/2016/10/07/487598#game_tab=box,game=487598,game_state=final
Joe and Jason did well, Liriano got whacked (below).
calling it the infamous a.j. pierzynski deal makes it hurt a lot less than the joe nathan deal.
I’m too calm….which, in and of itself makes me nervous that I shouldn’t be so calm.
The Giants have a full range of effects on my being.
I’m calm too but then again you have never seen me post BS arguing about day to day roster ideas and such.
I’m a big believer in let the chips fall as they must. Two weeks ago there was no assurance we would be in this situation, one most teams would kill for.
Now just play the damn game.
I feel good because of Cueto.
I was at Target the other day and ran across a baseball movie on DVD called “The Phenom”. I’m pretty into movies but never heard of this one; it has Ethan Hawke and Paul Giamatti in it. Can anyone recommend it?
I cannot, in good conscience, recommend any movie with Ethan Hawke in it, except for “Training Day”.
Dead Poets’ Society? Gattaca? Before Sunrise?
Gattaca is pretty good… The Purge… not bad actually…Don’t know about the others.
Now that I think through his movies I actually agree with you. I don’t think he has any really *good* movies, except maybe Gattaca.
Training Day is a masterpiece, mostly because of Denzel Washington. See it asap if you have not already.
Yes, all but the last 8 min, then it went to B movie status, imho
It devolved into an action movie cliche perhaps.
Good way of putting it.
But Denzel was simply brill per usual. Any movie he is in I go, I just do not care how bad the movie might be..
Did you see Flight? That kinda did not get much attention, a really good movie.
Yes, I liked Flight and I thought Denzel was very good in that too.
yes very much so, and the rest of the cast really.
where in Greece are you from? I have been there a few times and absolutely love it; the people, culture and THE FOOD;)
Yes to all of the above. I was born in Montreal and I have many family members in Karditsa and Athens, Greece. My father was born in Karditsa. I am due for a trip there. I will make it a yearly visit soon. Great lifestyle.
I passed through Karditsa a couple of times coming from Volos and going to Kalampaka and to Meteora. Nice place. Ate there one of the best moussakàs in Greece.
Coo, love Montreal too. I have never been to Karditsa, but Athens, Ios, Crete and Larissa.
i thought “flight” was excellent. denzel was very good as always, and john goodman was very funny.
Flight, Castaway, and now Sully–three movies that you should never watch before a plane trip.
But in Training Day, you keep hoping Hawke catches a stray round, or two.
Dead Poets’ Society is brilliant, but not because of Ethan Hawke, he was also still very young in this one.
KING KONG AIN’T GOT NUTHIN ON ME
Gattaca, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Boyhood, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Tape….Ethan Hawke has been in some awesome non-Training Day movies.
Enjoyed Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead. Love Marisa Tomei. OTOH I had trouble watching Boyhood.
Glad you saw Before the Devil…not a lot of people did. It got next to no theatrical run but is a really strong late Lumet. Just a nerve wracking Phillip Seymour Hoffman performance, and great story. Boyhood probably won’t be for everybody. I loved it. I bought into it pretty early, and the actual execution of the premise blew me away (reconvening with the same actors every year for a few weeks). It really felt like you were growing up with these people. Very unique feeling.
It was very good. I was one of the five people in the State of Florida who saw it in the theaters. Lumet was a great director.
I’m a bit of a Hoffman junkie. Did you see ‘A Most Wanted Man”, wonderful.
I thought that “Before” trilogy was terrific. We really enjoyed those movies.
We just finally watched Midnight a couple weeks ago. Didn’t immediately love it the way I did the first two, but I have a feeling it will grow.
By “Midnight” I was finally over her. I found that character intensely annoying in the third movie.
I just edited this post and added the questions section for dgg. Refresh your browsers…
I was looking for your questions earlier. I decided not to ask, because you’ve got a lot going on down there in Florida, GG.
From Buster Olney’s column on ESPN Insider which talks about Bumgarner and his contract which we all know has worked out in the team’s favor extremely…
Before I place the article, I will say this, nowhere in the piece does he say he talked to Bumgarner about this topic, so there is some speculation that Bum would start to get upset he was underpaid.
I personally don’t thinks so. To me Bum is a “your word is your bond” type of guy. A country boy who will honor the contract he signed to the letter, which includes not complaining about the team option years in 2018 and 2019 for $12 million each year. (Not even Walmart could offer a better bargain like this.)
Anyway, here you go. (verbatim but formatted to read properly)
Bumgarner Established as one of League’s Best; He Deserves to be Paid Like It
Buster Posey’s demeanor seems set on a cruise-control, 55 mph disposition regardless of the lane-changing personalities around him, so hyperbole is not really part of his language. Yet even the Giants catcher was astonished by what his longtime friend and teammate Madison Bumgarner accomplished Wednesday, again.
“You’re unbelievable,” Posey told Bumgarner on the field as the left-hander was getting hugs and handshakes from teammates. There have been only 10 wild-card (winner-take-all) games in MLB history, and Bumgarner has thrown shutouts in two of them, to go along with his World Series success in 2010, 2012 and 2014; in ’14, he threw more than twice as many innings as any other pitcher to appear in the postseason.
Placing his performance in historical context is actually pretty simple: He’s the best postseason starting pitcher ever, with a 1.94 ERA in 97 1/3 innings. He has pitched in 15 postseason games and the Giants have won 12 of them.
And because of all that, Madison Bumgarner also holds another title: He’s the most underpaid player in Major League Baseball, and it probably would be good business for the San Francisco Giants to signal to their ace, sooner rather than later, that this is something they intend to rectify this offseason.
Early in his career, Bumgarner seized an opportunity to guarantee a tremendous chunk of wealth by agreeing to a long-term deal that contained options through the 2019 season. Bumgarner made $9.75 million in salary this year, and he’ll get a modest bump to $11.5 million in 2017. Then the Giants have options for 2018 and 2019, both at $12 million. At age 27, coming off the best regular season of his career, sitting atop the highest peak in his profession, Bumgarner is guaranteed no more than his 2017 salary.
A deal is a deal, of course, and any accountant could argue with ample evidence that the Giants could and
maybe should squeeze every bit of value out of Bumgarner’s existing contract: the high per-dollar production, the virtually nonexistent risk, the terms that are so one-sided at this stage of his career. After all, in return for signing this contract, Bumgarner received the sort of guaranteed wealth that he never would have imagined while growing up in small-town North Carolina.
But as Bumgarner has piled on layer after layer of success for the Giants, helping to build profit and franchise value, the contract between the two sides has shifted from merely favorable for the team to something almost absurdly unequal. Only the Giants’ front office knows exactly what Bumgarner’s labor has meant to the bottom line, but it’s safe to speculate that it’s well beyond tens of millions of dollars.
The Giants could be considered baseball’s model franchise, and through the years they have routinely taken care of their own players, to the point of overpaying the likes of Tim Lincecum, Aubrey Huff, Marco Scutaro
and others relative to their market value — seemingly presenting financial rewards for past success rather than focusing solely on future potential production and earnings.
It could be well worth their while to indicate to Bumgarner now — even before his next start, in Game 3 of the NL Division Series — that a contract renegotiation is on the horizon and that he will be amply compensated for what he has meant to the franchise. The Giants could do it now for the same reason you would put a bucket of carrots in front of a horse before you get rolling: additional incentive as the team begins its long climb up another October mountain.
Bumgarner has never complained publicly about his contract, and maybe he never will. He doesn’t like to overcomplicate anything, a character trait that is probably at the core of his success.
But the worst thing that could happen for the Giants, and for Bumgarner, is for him to ever begin to believe that he’s being taken advantage of, that time after time he has gone above and beyond any standard with his effort, taking the ball start after start, inning after inning, but without getting the financial carrot that he’s earned.
What would a fair number be? Well, the Giants could handle this a few different ways. With Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija and Matt Cain locked into pricey deals for 2017, San Francisco’s front office might prefer to defer the cost of a more representative deal with Bumgarner until after 2019. The Giants could guarantee his next two option years, through 2019, then work out a top-of-the-market extension — say, $32 million a year for four years, beginning in 2020. Or they could tear up the old contract and give him a new one in its place, for five years and something in the range of $160 million to $175 million.
There has been a slight regression in Bumgarner’s stuff, predictably, given all the regular-season innings he has thrown, as well as the half-season he has thrown in postseason appearances. His fastball velocity declined from 2015 to 2016, perhaps the first sign of a tipping point. There would be risk in any big-money renegotiation for the Giants.
But Bumgarner’s pitching excellence is built more on deception, confidence and stubbornness than on velocity. “He hates to lose more than he wants to win,” said one evaluator recently. And the Giants’ leadership could feel good about any big extension with Bumgarner through the knowledge that even if they gave him a precedent-setting deal, they’ve extracted so much from his performance already that the pay will never truly
offset his contribution.
He’s unbelievable, as Posey said, and at this point, Madison Bumgarner has earned more than an unbelievably team-friendly contract.
you know you could have just posted the link right?
Sunshine Post of the Day.
lol
He said it was from the Insider column.
I don’t know what would be dumber, me not knowing how to post a link or me posting a link to a story many other can’t access because it’s requires a password.
I’m starting to not like Olney. The way he pushed for Bum in the HR derby was beyond his job statement. Maybe he should write for The Enquirer.
Maybe he shouldn’t write at all.
I used to enjoy his stuff when he wrote for the NYT – another good baseball writer in the tradition of Red Smith, Tyler Kneper et al.
These guys get in front of a camera and start to get superstar-itis.
yes sir eee bob
Bumgarner was asked many times in interviews about this. His answer has been that he considers himself very lucky to be well taken care of, not having to worry about finances (unlike many people in this world) and being able to do what he loves both on the field and off the field. I totally believe him. See how he spends his off season? He has more money than he needs and doesn’t care about this. Sure he is underpaid, but again, he has what he needs and more. He will get his big contract in time. But I do not believe for a second that this is something that he worries much or is on his mind.
Olney is wrong w/ his suggestion to talk about a contract now. Unless the player wants to talk about his contract, during the season, let alone the playoffs is not a good time to give a player something else to think about.
Inflammatory. Unprofessional.
Ridiculous timing. After the playoffs ended would be perfectly fine but to suggest they should do ti before next game or series is just asinine.
HOLY SH**! Alex Pavlovic
@AlexPavlovic
57s58 seconds ago No Span or Panik for Game 1: Hernandez CF, Belt 1B, Posey C, Pence RF, Pagan LF, Crawford SS, Tomlinson 2B, Gillaspie 3B, Cueto RHP
Good news…my first Entirely Wrong In Public Prediction Result!
I like it! And very surprised!
Way to go Boch.
I’m actually shocked that no Panik. I even wrote to Chef this AM that this was not a question.
There is no way KB is a better option than Panik in this situation, other than the R/L thing. Panik is the superior defender and against the Cubs and with Cueto on the mound inducing grounders, you absolutely want the best DP combination with Crawford.
I love Kelby but I have to agree with you on this one. Unless Joe’s back is acting up.
I’m more suprised about leading off with Gorkys, but yeah it seems crazy to break up the good chemistry between your middle infielders.
Span has a career slash of 286/429/321 vs. Lester, which isn’t bad so it is a bit surprising. But I do like the move still.
Career .429 OBP against Lester is spectacular. But I have no problem with Gorkys getting the start.
My guess is Bochy wants Hernandez’s glove in center but I would not break up the great chemistry that was valiant and victorious in the Wild Card Game for a lefty/right matchup at the plate.
Yeah Gorky’s has been swinging well, and obviously offers the better D. Plus I’m not too confident that the .429 OBP is reflective of this year’s Span. I’m sure Span faced Lester many times in their younger days in the AL.
I don’t like that part. Just because Gorkys is replacing Span in CF doesn’t mean he has to lead off. Pagan or Kelby are good leading off, too.
Even though Gorky’s #s are better than KT’s, I like Pagan as #1 even more. It is scary that GH is going to get so many at-bats. GH are just based on so few at-bats, besides isn’t Wrigley a small enough park for Span to handle?
Agreed 100% This is a very bad move. You simply do not platoon Joey Baseball, especially not in the postseason…
The defensive dropoff is what has me a bit nervous. I think with the postseason, in tight games, you need to go with the best defensive lineup unless it’s a substantial offensive upgrade. But on the flip side I’m excited to see what KT can do with his first playoff action, would love to see him find a gap or poke one down the line.
I agree with you 100% again. Don’t get me wrong. I like Kelby but no way do I bench Panik and lose his defense and playoff experience over Kelby for a platoon matchup. This is not a late August game. To me Panik is a money player who rises to the occasion and you simply need him in there every day unless he is hurt. This could create some drama and misery in the clubhouse. Either way, it is a bold move by Bochy. If it works he is a genius.
Game has not started…..
It might be a awkward or odd move. Can’t call it bad. Game has not started.
Isn’t ones opinion have more weight before an action than after?
OK fair enough!
So much for not “BS arguing day to day”….
Love ya, E!!!!
Wow! No Panik or Span!!
Refresh your browser for new post with lineups
You da man as always, Greek.
at your service!
For your reading enjoyment http://tinyurl.com/Enjoy-Johnny-C
Here is 1 potential reason for lineup Span/Panik wRC+ vs. LHP this season: 59,66.
Henry the Schulman http://tinyurl.com/Enjoy-Part-two
Only because I can’t remember handedness.
https://i.imgur.com/4sq1704.png
i might have gone with JP12 in there, and have KT play 3rd. low scoring game with defense up the middle at a premium. boch going instead went with the hot hand, which you can’t argue with. otherwise, i love the L/U.
just noticed that you guys spoke about this down below. mea culpa
Nah…love us discussing.
JP will play a huge role in the series… Maybe even tonight.
Really? I learned early on there is one that is always very familiar.
The Teenage Off Hand Mistress….
Apologies to our more refined contributors
The Adams Family meaning of a Blind Date
Who’s calling the plate?
Don’t know yet. Someone from Chicago, no doubt.
Krukow decides to make the trip http://tinyurl.com/Krukows-tough-trip-to-Chicago
I’m very disappointed not seeing Joe Panik in the LU. A big loss for our infield defense. I got very bad vibes thrilling my spine. No bueno, señor Bochy. Spero di sbagliarmi. Hope to be wrong.
Bochy tends to prove his October acumen…start with trust, go from there.
That’s my playoff motto
I DO really hope you are right, amico Matteo.
I think Bochy figured, with Panik’s current semi-slump (I’m an optimist), a tough LHP like Lester, just might be a bridge to far for the lad.
A – “sbagliarmi” = “wrong”?
YEEEES.
Who Will Step up for Our Giants. I say PENCE goes YARD
http://tinyurl.com/Who-Will-Step-Up-For-the-Gints
Matt Moore, Ty Blach and Eduardo Nuñez are in.
Steven Okert, Ehire Adrianza and Jarrett Parker are out.
Old news
Grass See Arse Chef
YOU are usually on top of these things.
Hi Chef, how do you feel?
Not dead.
Like me, so you are OK. Good ol’ boy.
Is that better than UN-dead?
Yet to be determined.
This is a hilarious piece from a Rockies fan who hates the Giants:
http://www.purplerow.com/2016/10/7/13187530/san-francisco-giants-nlds-chicago-cubs-hate-hate-hate-rockies-posey-sucks
“The Giants are unholy clutch monsters from the depths of Hades…” LOL
The dude with two first names. Pox on Connor Farrell.
nice. that was awesome
Who want bubbles in a Margarita? What does he think this isa Limonciatta?
What’s a Limonciatta?
Okay so I can’t spell in Italian….. I fixed it. Happy!!?!?!?!
You meant Limoncello perhaps?
Believe me, I did NOT know what a limonciatta might be. I was just asking, not joking.
I think Todd Marinovich drank EVERY Margarita on the planet.
http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/10/05/todd-marinovich-charged-meth-possession-public-nudity-raiders
The other ingredients counter-act the bubbles. You don’t notice them I swear. You will not drink a better Margarita I promise.
You mean Pellegrino Limonata (sp?), right? Not Perrier?
Who is the umpiring crew for the series?
The Cubs lobbied hard for Balkin’ Bob.
The guy who retired?
Bob could sniff a balk from the grave.
Cuzzi, Winters, Lasorda, and Steve Sax. We got this.
Boston Globe:
PRICE CHECK AISLE 2
(Cliche alert)
LONNIE! C’MON DOWN!!! THE PRICE IS WRONG!
??
PAPI WAS A ROLLING HOME
Wherever he laid his hat, he thought it was a farewell tour…
Indians scored 4 runs vs David Price and Red Sox, 4-0, 2nd inning .
Thank you Pete.
Price adding to his poor post season rep…maybe Kershaw will follow suit?
HRs reigning again in Cleveland.
Armor truck heists in the Boston area go down 89% during Sox playoff games. Charlestown does not recognize this unofficial truce.
David Price is the anti-Bumgarner
Yes he is, wow. I thought the Red Sox would win this series easily. Series is faaaar from over but, even if they win, it sure as hell won’t be easily.
Screw the Sox.
GG, if you’re in south Florida, given the projected storm track, don breath any sighs of relief just yet. Current predicted storm track.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CuHr4fxWgAA5SP3.jpg
Like a fish-hook.
You had me until you used Patron as your tequila of choice.
What tequila do you like Mr. Tequila snob?
I could name ten over Patron. Casa Noble, Gran Centanario, Riazul all come to mind. Hell, I’d use Herradura before Patron. And I’m not a tequila snob, i just have zero respect for your choice. :o)
Do you live in Mexico? Exactly none of those are available in Florida unfortunately. I will investigate further. Did Mr. Patron hurt your feelings one day?
Northern Mexico. LA.
Try Don Julio, GG! It’s delicious.
Although that being said, it’s a little like ordering a screwdriver with Grey Goose. You only need the premium booze if you’re sipping it straight, right?
Nah, a good tequila is needed even for margaritas. I sip on anejo’s but use a reposado for margs.
Right – reposado for margs – as long as it’s 100% Agave. Oddly enough, a lot of peeps use Cuervo Reserve, which is not and will give you a headache.
I think Don J. blanco is over-priced and under-delicious. Bars push it all the time. Now, Don J. Cristale Anéjo is incredible, like chocolate, and Don J. 1942 is to die for, but brutally $$.
I could tell you some interesting stories about the product control of Southern Wine and Spirits (in FLA) regarding distribution. It’s a very solid marriage with certain producers…..
Its just an overrated tequila, that’s all. I’ve done extensive studies.
Why, yes, I do… ;o)
See Below, Bing Crosby/Phil Harris Enterprises.
If it won’t work with Jose Cuervo, a common tequila, why even try.
Cuervo is awful. As is Cabo Wabo.
Herradura?! That’s some thin ice, son.
Just flipped over to FS1 prior to the Dodgers game.
Uncle Pete used his shoe polish on the toupee. He is golden as Awkward Entertainment.
Would love to see the Nats jump on Kershaw and revive the narrative of his dubious postseason history.
All anyone seems to want to talk about is his ‘new’ release point he debuted 3 weeks+ ago. Sometimes I wonder if baseball writers even watch the game.
Seeing Utley strike out to start the series gave me warm fuzzies
Seager gave me cold pricklies
Seager is my single biggest concern with the Dodgers. He’s like their SS version of Posey. And his first postseason AB as a 22 year old he hits one 430+ feet off Scherzer.
That kid is gonna win an MVP one day. Maybe a few.
He may be top 3 THIS year, along with winning ROY.
Who do you think could be voted for him if he’s not #2? Bryant and Seager seem like an easy 1-2. Freeman? Votto?
Rizzo, Murphy
Some Questions from GreekGiant:
1. Which bullpen will be the strongest in the series? Cueto will pitch a CG.
2. Will the Cubs use the 108 year drought as an inspiration or a self-fulfilling prophecy? Maddon has been trying to get this out of his guys’ minds, but groans from the fans in Game 1 could undo Maddon’s attempts at wizardry.
3. How much will Eduardo Nunez play, if at all, in game 1? Not at all.
4. Will the Giants exploit Jon Lester’s struggles with holding runners on? Yes, definitely.
5. Where will Surf Maui go for his customary steakhouse visit? I have absolutely no idea. It’s been a long, long time since I was in Chicago. 1979.
I misread Question 1 as pertaining to Game 1 instead of the series with the Cubs.
Question 1: The Giants bullpen. Bochy’s wizardry.
5. Might Be Maestro’s, but probably the Chop House on Ontario
I think we’re going to see some out-of-the-box bullpen usage by Bochy. First of all, he’ll ride his starters as long as possible. But then I think there’ll be some creative use of Samardzija and Blach to supplement the regular bullpen guys. He knows the bullpen’s been shaky all year and was especially so during the last series against the Cubs. He’s not going to be rigid about how he goes about getting outs.
I agree, but I’m not sure about the use of Blach. Has he been striking people out? is he a ground ball pitcher?
He is a pitch-to-contact guy who gets a lot of ground balls.
I think you are right, but would he use Shark since he is starting tomorrow?
No, but maybe later in the series.
Def. Misread your post 21min ago;)
Keep your mouth shut son
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/10/06/astros-prospect-critical-tweet-jessica-mendoza-espn/91650344/
I’m sure he is voting for Trump (if he understands the concept of voting).
For KT to anything but Pinch Hit in this series, it would be have to be against Lester.
Kelby goes all Cody tonight.
He will Ssory_doc his ass
Never believe Dusty Baker about players health. Harper has a hurt shoulder.
Some Questions From the Greek (but not Jimmy the Greek)
(1)Which bullpen will be the strongest in the series?
Giants
2. Will the Cubs use the 108 year drought as an inspiration or a self-fulfilling prophecy?
The Joe Maddon Prophecy – (Look at Me, Look at Me, Look at Me)
3. How much will Eduardo Nunez play, if at all, in game 1?
One Pinch hit attempt or not at all
4. Will the Giants exploit Jon Lester’s struggles with holding runners on?
Yes
5. Where will Surf Maui go for his customary steakhouse visit?
Dika’s
Tito, I mean Terry has them playing great. The Tribe dodged the curse of Trevor Bauer’s 12 different windups. JoBu loving the Tribe
http://www.espn.com/mlb/playbyplay?gameId=361007105
Anybody like Kipnis that can spell his name backwards and come up with Sinkip has JoBu on the prowl.
Can’t get FS1 where I am. Anyone know how to access the game via computer? Or, how can I access KNBR on my computer?
thanks in advance mes amis
You are free to USE my already paid for subscription.
Email me at student-athlete@hotmail.com
Use the FSGo app. It’s free, but the one issue may be whether you have to enter your sign-in info for your cable/satellite service provider. App is free so it’s worth a shot.
Last time during the game, I said I saw a Kelby RBI coming. Maybe I was just seeing ahead a bit to this game.
lets hope so!
At the Indians game. Nothing better than a day playoff game.
Breaking out the old school gear for this series.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4825145e0379ca1c83c128cbdcccf9f3a45dc69cc224be5221e3c0f34bdfda29.jpg
AWESOME!!!
Got my 2010 W/S Champions cachucha on.
The Adrian Gonzales Pick Off Double Tag Hold My Glove Against The Runner is bush league and obnoxious
I think, just maybe, Trump may have crossed a line he can’t get back from. A tape of him in 2005 just surfaced.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/10/the-trump-tapes/503417/
Can we concentrate on ball games today, Brother?
I think that even Trump’s acts might be “ball games”.
LOL. Right On.
Zactly.
If nothing else, it neutralizes the “don’t elect Hillary because Bill’s sleazy” line of attack. Bill’s termed out. Trump’s the guy running now.
Of course, Schwarzenegger got elected Governor of California twice with the same resume, so clearly many voters don’t mind electing sexual predators.
That’s not news. Bill Clinton also got elected twice.
Yep, and I’m sure we could go further back–JFK, LBJ, etc. That was more of a boys-will-be-boys era, though.
Bill Clinton isn’t running for anything.
Enron made teh voters of Calif. insane.
Badabing Lefty!
Unless something had come out against Obama. He would have been tried as the worst offending sexual predator in history.
News outlets did, after all, still refer to Michelle as his “baby mama” well into his candidacy, as if she was just some woman he shacked up with. Wonder how far Obama’s political career would have gone if he had several children with three different wives like another candidate…
You know the answer to that question;)
What a revolting homunculus.
It’ll hurt him with the middle for sure. His base voters won’t care.
If you’re a woman, have a mother, or sister you ought to care. He will get the narcissist vote.
Hey! That’s just DEPLORABLE!
Andrew Baggarly
@extrabaggs 15m15 minutes agoBochy pointed to 18-inning win in Washington NLDS when explaining why he went with Blach over Okert.
Seager seems like the only Dodger that came out to play
I enjoyed seeing Utley boot that grounder.
Turner and others were completely lost on that bloop, if Seager didn’t get to that….
Kershaw 40 pitches thru two.
Scherzer needs to keep them close. I think the Nats’ only chance to win this series is they have to win behind Scherzer twice.
If Kershaw loses both the games he starts this series he’s never gonna hear the end of his postseason choke talk.
He doesn’t look very convincing today either
People should be talking about David Price just as much if not more. That’s a Thing with a capital THING.
That guy needed psychological help when it reached 0-5.
Word. I was watching that game thinking “Boston is paying $30MM a year for this!?”
Bright lights, big city.
He’s got a 2-0 lead. I wouldn’t want to be losing 2-0 to Opie ever.
Did you guys see this?
Andrew Baggarly ✔ @extrabaggs
Bochy confirms Samardzija in Game 2. “It’s his day. He’s earned it.” Will be reliever in the series after that.
I like it. I’m a little worried about Shark being over-amped in the park where he came up as a rookie, but I like Moore a lot at AT & T, and I like being able to use Shark later out of the bullpen. And Bochy’s right–Samardzija’s been terrific and has earned it.
Maybe I’m stating the obvious but i think if we can win tonight, Marge is lights out tomorrow. Conversely, if we lose tonight I could see him trying to do too much tomorrow and struggling.
yup
I like it, too…Moore needs comfort. Shark don’t care.
Moore’s 27 and Shark’s 31, too. Give Moore another year or two on a good team, and a couple years beyond his surgery, and I bet he’ll be a rock. He’s a competitor and very talented.
I also like his smooth demeanor. Seems very practical and sensible.
I’m never going to stop missing Duffy, but I like Moore a lot. Great add for the Giants.
100% agree!!
Didn’t realize Moore is that young.
… and a year older than Bum…
Same age:
Moore: 6/18/89
Bum: 8/1/89
Just about 7 weeks apart.
Gee, Bum’s almost exactly 40 years younger than me.
… wah…
He’s EXACTLY 29 years younger than me…same birthday
Shark don’t care… just like the honey badger!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg
So I guess that means Bum, Moore and then who for game 5, Cueto again?
The way the schedule goes, they could go with Cueto on five days rest or Shark on four days rest for Game 5. So probably Cueto, though depending how things go, it could be tempting to save him for a possible next round.
True, and Blach comes into play too
He did indeed.
Hernandez… Bochy.
I’ve been busy all day, and contained it, but the freak out has officially begun.
It’s a little easier, though, knowing you have at least three games. The Wild Card thing is brutal.
Seriously. It really is.
Stay contained, breathe and do hypnosis. Hehe
Breathe in… breathe out…
That is it, you got it. Hehe.
Almost time for me to leave the office. Greek’s margarita recipe has me salivating for my first drink with giant peeps as we get ready for 1st pitch
GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!
Jays Giants Series? 😉
I’d take it…we would go all Tigers ’12 on their overswinging ass
Indians.
wow 5-0.
None of the home teams have been doing so well today..maybe a promise for tonight!
Cleveland’s home.
That’s right. Well most of the home teams 🙂
2-0, and the Nats had a decent chance…4-0 is a Dusty Post Season Revisited….
any one who thought W was going to get far with Dusty in the playoffs has been paying attention.
I have serious reservations about GH at leadoff, that is way to many at bats for an unproven guy (#s are good but based on small sample size). If it about defense, Wrigley is smaller than Citi field and AT&T and Span was trusted inthe WC. Cueto is a ground ball guy right? Maybe the Cubs are good at getting the ball in the air. I hope BB knows something we don’t and it works out.
He’s a 30 year old lifer… He may seem unproven, but he’s a baller and has looked very comfortable in each and every AB since he’s been back in the show….
Some of you guys are strange, complaining about Span all year about his defense and his lousy at bats, but now want him back now in the playoffs, he has been lousy numbers vs Lefties .
“The heart wants what it wants, or else it doesn’t care”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJY8jJkDoMY
I believe most think Hernandez is a better CF. Span this year is PUTRID against lefties with a .284 OBP and a .217 average. Hernandez hits lefties at a .273 clip and a .333 OBP. It makes sense to start Gorky
The same logic goes for Tomlinson. Panik has been bad against lefties all year and Kelby hits .306 thisyear.
They keep working his pitch count, then the Nats have an outside chance
SF Giants History on October 7th
2014
Game 4
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at AT&T Park Giants v. Nats
Washington Nationals 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 4 1
San Francisco Giants 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 x 3 9 0
PITCHERS: WSN – Gonzalez, Roark (5), Blevins (5), Thornton (7), Barrett (7), Soriano (7)
SFG – Vogelsong, Lopez (6), Strickland (7), Romo (8), Casilla (9)
WP – Hunter Strickland
LP – Matt Thornton
SAVE – Santiago Casilla
HOME RUNS:
WSN – Harper
SFG – none
ATTENDANCE: 43,464
2012 October 7th.
Game 2 – Giants vs Reds
Cincinnati Reds 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 5 0 9 13 0
San Francisco 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
PITCHERS: CIN – Arroyo, Hoover (8), Arredondo (9)
SFG – Bumgarner, Kontos (5), Lincecum (6), Mijares (8), Casilla (8), Mota (8), Romo (9)
WP – Bronson Arroyo
LP – Madison Bumgarner
SAVE – none
HOME RUNS:
CIN – Ludwick
SFG – none
ATTENDANCE: 43,505
Game 1
Thursday, October 7, 2010 at AT&T Park Giants v. Braves
Atlanta Braves 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
San Francisco Giants 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 x 1 5 0
PITCHERS:
ATL – Lowe, Venters (6), Moylan (8), Dunn (8), Kimbrel (8)
SFG – Lincecum
WP – Tim Lincecu
LP – Derek Lowe
SAVE – none
HOME RUNS:
ATL – none
SFG – none
ATTENDANCE: 43,936
@hankschulman
Bochy on yesterday’s “travel day from hell.” … “We could have gone to Europe quicker from our hotel.” 3 hours on bus in traffic in NY/CHI
Harold JUST beat me to it: Kershaw misses AJ tonight
OK, we have a ballgame now.
one can only imagine how good he would be with Posey behind the plate. I’d like to see a list of every catcher he has thrown to i his career to date.
Plenty of ballgame left.
Opie shelled. 4-2 lead now
Playoff Clayton is back….
I think this year nobody really knew how well Kershaw is since he was injured for so long.
coach visiting Opie on the mound.
The first October surprise was delivered today. Trump’s 2005 video is pretty bad.
No sheet. CC has a link below.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/10/the-trump-tapes/503417/
Kershaw crumbling again!! Love it!!!
Ty Blach broke him.
It’s amazing how bad his body language can look.
Belt has nothing on Opie
Opie 66 pitches after 3 innings.
whoa.
I see the swagger has returned to the blog. Let’s all not get carried away and tempt fate.
We win this series in two games.
LOL
Bruce , we can win this series in 1 game
Name that tune!
I remember a lot of 3 note wins, I do not remember a 1 or 2 note win.
Gimme a minute while I figure out how to top that.
I mean, they should just cancel the games and get the parade underway.
Sounds like your batting average……..
Why you gotta hurt feelings?
Bap will right that ship.
Bapah? Dondé esta??
Well, i don’t want things to get that dark.
Please let us feel good while we can. In moments the facade will crumble and the raw nerves will again be exposed to the torture that is our Giants fandom.
If Gorkys makes the first out:
“What the hell, Melonhead?!?! You moron! We’re getting shutout. Book it!!!!”
Haha. Yep.
I promise to stay off the board during the game.
“We all need to stay positive!”
“OK, I’m positive we’re getting shutout!!”
I was thinking of proposing a clean slate. Commenters of a more, ahem, critical nature let go of the ghosts of the last two months. It’s a new day, fresh start. And commenters of a more, ahem, smug nature don’t point their fingers about previous negativity.
Day 1. Amnesty on both sides. What do you think?
sign me up
GREAT IDEA!
I’ll give it exactly 8 pitches in my Lifespan Prediction
Yeah – 1/2 an inning, max.
It’s a very odd thing to have a hitter of his accomplishment lead off in a playoff game …. but then I look at 2014 game 7 lineup and realize nothing matters
Disappointed that Scherzer wet the bed. Nats still have a shot to win the game but 4 ER in 4 IP is a major letdown.
Not over yet, 4 sure.
Night Allen. Do your thing up there with Davvy and Monte – Rod Beck and Bobby Bonds https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1bb12a3c9b02704ad6903f1f4384997115a25ec254fda8c1ae12b83cd1f8d28a.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/558922be27101ade7867fa337f526edc81c678e29baeedb6067ddf262d65bf0a.jpg
I really thought Kershaw was gonna dominate tonight. Just cuz he’s so good and figured he was due for a stellar postseason start. This is kinda shocking.
He’ll be fine, he already has a lead.
Yeah?
watta you gonna do make another prediction?! lol
I predict you and I have a drink and yuk it up one day.
He doesn’t look fine. He looks visibly rattled. The postseason is tough. Look at Price. And Hamels. Yikes.
the Price thing is actually more shocking.
Thinking the Red Sox went into cruise control too early and can’t shake the rust.
When the Giants were looking at free agent starters last year and Price was on the list, the postseason thing made a difference to me. He has a long history of being ineffective in the postseason with what, four different teams now?
well, with the Dodgers hanging 4 runs and a rookie like Seager, Kershaw was fine right?
I guess a new release point wasn’t the answer.
That rookie is leaking too far off second
Settle down overblown Hurricane Matthew.
LOOSER!!!
I no do loser.
You should be Mateo – sometimes you’re too wound up.
I’m kidding Paul…totally calm, and can’t figure out why….
Wish I were. I wanna be sedated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLlLtSG7xe4
Hey, sorry for rubbing on you. My bad. It’s a big dog habit.
Let’s go Turner. Summon your inner Gillaspie.
Baseball is wildly unpredictable
Harper gonna jack one out
..in the 8th inning
“Up”
If Harper spins and throws his bat like that after popping it up vs Bum, does Bum just yell at him or body slam him?
Whooo. Back from the west side and some I-5 and some In n Out and ready for some baseball.
Is it safe to say that Clayton Kershaw is no Madison Bumgarner?
Just about time to wave sayonara to the Sox and the Rangers. I think what the Wild Card Blue Jays are doing is a good omen and that the universe conspires to see the Dodgers and Giants in the 2016 NLCS.
What a day!
That’s safe to say 🙂
So I thought this year wouldn’t matter with 3 championships already but when you’re in it all I care about is winning it.
I’m going to make a prediction right now. Next year ends the “Odd Year” curse. They make the playoffs next year with that stellar rotation carrying them.
5 in 7!!!
It would be 5 in 8, I think, but we’ll still take that.
You da real oracle, not a fake one like our sheriff.
Yoenis Cespedes expected to opt out after this season. Maybe Giants sign him this offseason and add Melancon or someone like that and I like our chances to end the Dodgers’ division champion streak as well.
They say he don’t like S.F.
(I know, bad grammar. Who is care.) ;o)
We need no Cespedes. And he doesn’t like the Bay aniway
What’s interesting about the trades is that they set them up for the long term, not just this year.
Yep. Getting Moore for three more years after this was incredible. The rotation is stabilized for years, especially next year when they still definitely have Cueto.
OK TWG pals. I can’t get FS1 where I am. Have an MLB subscription, but it isn’t available. Sooooo, keep releasing updates as much as possible. YOU are my media source. Thanks in advance.
Giants win!!!
Thanks. Suspense over. Whew!!!
Sign up right now for a proxy server and watch from Scotland.
Look up iPrivacy
Well that’s just unacceptable … no online version of FS1? This is a campaign issue
I think you can watch on the Fox Sports Go app, but it may be one of those where you need a cable or satellite subscription log-in.
“TWG pals” I like that.
Kinda reminds me of TWIB…Miss watching that show with Mel Allen
Yup. (I’m afraid “TWIB” is not something the majority of our “TWG” pals know about.)
I’m one of them (TWG pals) or is it (TWGP?). I know Mel Allen, but not the TWIB.
“This week in baseball.” Every Saturday review on the electric teevee.
Ahh. This Week in Baseball. I have a (vague) memory. Thanks.
I used to watch TWIB right before the “Game of the Week” as a youngster
If you aren’t in the US you can watch MLB.TV and get FS1 If you use a proxy server, you can put your IP address anywhere in the world
I’m in Oregon for the next few weeks. So?
SO? What? Use a proxy server on whatever computer you’re on and it will tell MLB that you’re with Alvise, if you want
If you want to watch the Giants on tV, do what I suggest. It will cost about $15
All done in about 15 minutes
I spend more on beer watching the game at the bowling alley here.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1022c88366d5f8071b082bd0f6a5ab06a2ef342b4174b5803093d3e1b07d9ea1.jpg
I’m trying Bapah. Never done the poxy bit before. I keep getting a firewall. But I’ll keep trying, thanks for hanging in with a proxy illiterate.
Firewall? Just google iPrivacy and sign up.
Google AVAST VPN Secure Line and subscribe.
for the rest of the season.
I’m in Venice, but my proxies may be in 40 different cities in all of the continents. Actually I use a server on Czech Republic.
Are you going to stay up and watch the game?
I don’t dare to tempt fate, so at 02:59 I will shut my iPhone and turn the lights off. (I am texting in bed).
You know Amico, I never had an issue with blood pressure before 2010. Honestly.
First heart attack same year, on october, of course.
Sheesh. I just had a monitor on my ticker for 24 hours – negative, thx god.
Just using anticipatory anxiety to find tomorrow’s groove.
That’s just my idea.
Tomorrow, Take a long nap in the afternoon so you can watch.
Will you kindly like to tell THAT to my wife?
You definitely can at least get the audio feed through your MLB subscription.
Saturday’s headline:
SAN DIEGO MAN ARRESTED IN PIRACY STING
There’s nothing illegal about proxy servers
The Oracle will represent…no worries
“If the proxy don’t fit, you must acquit”
Don’t you guys want a NLCS with the Bums? That’s baseball heaven.
No…I want them swept , lose game 3 at home, and suffer shame and ridicule.
Well said, Mateo!
Hell yes, we can beat Dusty 9/10
Me too, me too.
No. But something good will happen … the Dodgers or Baker will be eliminated
Just as long as Kershaw loses twice in this series.
The gravity of the universe does.
Strikeout Utley is growing on me
despicable. not worth a capital D.
Bochy doing his Coors voiceover is a good omen
Better go to sleep, otherways they are coming to take me away. Too much nervous
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzHtm1jhL4
Wake up to a 1-0 series lead.
Weekend of baseball mania starts now. BOOM!
L E T ‘ S G O G I A N T S !!!
Vamos, Amico!
Indians giving the Red Sox a chance, walk then HBP on a 0-2 pitch, bullpen coming in , ex Giant Otero, with 2 on ,no outs, top of the order coming up .
What’s the score, PJ?
6-0 , still
Thanks brother
Kershaw, 91 pitches in the 5th, 1 out.
This is weird….
He just looks ragged.
He missed 2 1/2 months and his back probably still hurts. He hasn’t been sharp and he’s probably done for the night, but hat tip for the grit.
That said, Clayton Kershaw gave up as many runs in five innings today as Bumgarner has given up in his CAREER in postseason road starts…and two of those three runs were in 2010 in Bum’s very first playoff start in Atlanta–which the Giants won anyway. The third was a meaningless HR to Salvy Perez in Game 1 of the 2014 World Series when the Giants were way up in the game.
Bumgarner is just amazing. When you see someone so unique as Kershaw look ordinary one October after the next…you appreciate how hard this really must be.
Unless I’m mistaken, Bum’s career W/S ERA would be 0.00 except for that Perez HR.
That is correct.
HEY! Why didn’t you TWGs tell me the Red Sox are losing 6-0, mid-8th?!
Screw the Sox.
David “Not Mr. October” Price happened to the Sawx.
Ewe. Not so good.
Kershaw usually has his stinker in the NLCS. May not be a good thing if he got it out of the way now
He did not make it to the NLCS the last 2 years .
See above
In 2014 he pretty much singlehandedly pitched the Dodgers out of the first round vs. the Cardinals. In both games (1 & 4) he took leads into the seventh inning and ended up losing. Game 1 was a huge lead, like six runs. Greinke won Game 2 and a bullpen guy lost Game 3, but Kershaw, who that year won both the Cy and the MVP, was the weak link.
NLDS 3.52 2 and 3
NLCS 7.23 0 and 3
I love rooting against all the media darlings, all the teams the National Sports writers love, the Red Sox, the Dodgers, the Cubs, and the Rangers , those are the 4 teams the National reporters are mostly picking to play in the League Championship series .
Here’s what Kershaw said earlier today: “A guy who throws 100 pitches in 5 innings is a lot different from a guy throwing 120 in 9 innings. The 100-pitch game is tougher on your arm, with guys on base the whole time.”
He’s probably referring to himself and Bumgarner.
Reporting from Wrigley Field on what I hope is the second stop of a three week road trip.
Cant really tell complete wind direct but definitely blowing left to right field and brisk. At batting practice ball seems to by carrying by the look of the shaggers.
So far very few Giants fans
Lets go Giants
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/35efc97131177a7d6542cb4b3f4e26a276979cc0a6dd5491b4cfc5cf8e8effba.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/91140ed942bc47c4ecbe541c7d402c574e3e728b110e0750819a54fc25562638.jpg
you are living right.
He’s our very own Marlins Man!
Not exactly– would have waited for the WS if not for the hurricane. Im spending my kids inheritance.
They’d just waste it on groceries or rent.
Earlier today on the MLB Network , they said the wind was going to be blowing out tonight at Wrigley Field.
Blanco taking batting practice now — ill report
You in the seats behind first base dugout?
My son’s seats. Between home with the third baseline extened about 25 rows back
Atta babe… Those are the Mojo Seats.
Same ones you saw last year– hope they bring better luck
You’ll be among the first to appreciate the weather, should the wind come off the Lake.
Are you wearing your SF battle hat?
The camo hat is only for MadBum but I am wearing my Cueto shirt– see below
F.P. SantangeloVerified account @FightinHydrant
Kershaw convinced Nats are relaying signs from second. It’s in his head big time
“Here comes meat!”
Blanton is out!
Blanton’s in.
Cue Will Clark
Brown just crushed two balls into the left field seats. Blanco taking pitches the other way. Samardjiza, Blach Bumgarner and Panik in this hitting group, so I assume without looking at the lineups or roster yet that Blach is on the roster for this series and that KT is starting tonight.
Mad Bum just hit a titanic, Bondsian HR to left and Samardzija followed with one that almost left the park.
Yes Blach is in.
How does he hit BP?
Yes, Blach is on the roster and KT is playing 2B tonight. Gorkys is playing CF.
KT at 2nd was not met with much approval here.
So did we win the BP Derby?
MadBum hit one out(of the park I mean) Followed by Samardzija– they appear to be playing HR Derby
Anyone nervous or is it just me?
Nah. (Sorry, dgg) ;o)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6f877293b4f0ad18b9e6c4bd8eadaedd8c4965c14c22c97f25fa4f9ce9b9be28.jpg
Excited, nervous, just happy to be here!
Sounds like fun . Where are you?
Machida, Japan. Just finished some pancakes, watching shaun the sheep with my daughter and getting ready for Saturday morning Playoff Baseball!
What time is it for you there, on Saturday!
it’s now 944am.
Much less than the wild card.
Bum just hit one off the big scoreboard in left fieldfollowed by two Samardjiza shots one OVER the scoreboard. I hope these gus dont hurt themselves
Yeah, why risk an injury?
Puig and Peterson are not exchanging pleasantries in RCF after that catch.
Puig needs to pull a Reverse Tebow and go play linebacker
The Santa Clara 49ers are running out of linebackers.
They ran out of brains long ago….
Yep
Go Yuba City Giant Fans
He breaks easy.
That would have definitely left a mark.
MadBum and Samardzija putting on a show — they need to be in the HR derby Bum hit another out of the park.
Bumgarner pumping up Samardzija, as if he needed it.
light or heavy wind blowing out?
Charlie Pierce is getting in on the fun:
“Looks like we’ve got some right nice baseball playoffs shaping up—if Madison Bumgarner allows us to have them, of course. (He’s pitching deep in the unhittable heart of Koufaxland at this point.) Naturally, my interest is in the ALDS between the Red Sox and Terry Francona’s Indians, which is an ironic turn of events if anything is. My early reaction would be to tell Messrs. Betts, Bogaerts, and Bradley, Jr. that 0-for-11 isn’t going to get it done.”
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a49394/trump-days-of-our-lives/
p.s. Gratuitous awesome clip from North Dallas Forty too!
pps. Also, hilarious reference to the missing link’s furniture ad!!
Solis looks like a thick Joe Panik
God, please give me the strength to not get very depressed or upset when things don’t go the way I hope they will in this series. Let them have competitive games w/out umpire or field issues nor injuries.
Have a great weekend everyone. GOOOOO GIANTS!
You mean “if,” not when, don’t you?
yes
Mistah Utley!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQbGUifDFz4
What network are we getting bumped to?!?! I don’t think many of us get FS2
Still 30 minutes before we have to worry about it,.
It’s the 7th… We might miss the first several innings…
Fox, as I recall.
We’re already FS1, but the LA game will go late, so it will be another
Not according to the listing in the link, Fox.
Look again,.
You’re confusing me. The Dodgers are on FS1. We’re also scheduled for FS1…. So it will get bumped to another Fox network besides the main one. I’m hoping FX.
Isn’t there more than 1 Fox channel
Yes…they have at least 4: Fox, FS1, FS2 (which no one gets), FX
FSW and FSSD too, to, two
Yup…those are regional, though.
I just went to the Foxy Lady channel and I’m not leaving
FSSD is for Peter, it’s in Spanish
I get FS2! Not FS1, though :o(
We’re you aware that those initials stand for “Fucks Sake”? I didn’t until recently
They aren’t going to tell us because they hate us
Could be FSW or FSS where I am or Main Fox channel
Might as well start worrying now then. Makes the time go faster.
FS-1
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/10/07/nl-division-series-giants-cubs-game-tv-start-time-pitchers/91715982/
That’s the same as what’s on now
CanucksChannell 47856TRW
I doubt they bump FIFA World Cup for MLB.
Well, it’s sleep time here ( 2:30 am) so nite all. Hold bravely the fort. Go Gs and screw the cubbies.
Well, hello Dusty! Heck of a move
Harold Reynolds comments “not enough lead” (re Murphy) four times. We got it the first time, Harold. Maybe the second one works. After that, just shut up.
You would think FOX or MLB Network could coach him through that.
He’s always better than the schmuck next to him.
Kenny Albert or Tom Verducci? Both of them far better at their roles than Harold, IMHO.
Harold is a good guy
Terrible broadcaster
Canada College
Redwood City
Jayson Werth is very unlikable
Indeed. And they get to pay him $21MM again next year. How many WAR you get for that? I’m thinking…not much.
I remember Worth complaining about Right Center at the park about how he would be pissed if it stole an HR from him. He then hit one high off the concrete for a double
Picking on a homeless guy. That is not like you.
Though I can’t help but notice Werth has adopted the Bryce Harper open shirt sleaze look.
A 5 out blown save in the works?
Kruk and Kuip just said the horse’s balls got painted orange. Tradition!
Update: they said a fan did it. They said it was Rob Deer.
just peachy helped…I’m banking on it
Surf Maui is in town…
peachy has abundantly more Annie Savoy to her
Or maybe Robbie Thompson
CalTrans Orange
So if it’s still a 1 run game and LA loads the bases with 2 out, Jansen bats!
yeah missed the Bruce double switch brain game that makes him so good.
you called it
Why is it that Cubs (and Mets) fans feel that it is ok (and somehow necessary to put their hands on me and telling me that the “Giants are going down. ” I never felt the urge to ever do it– I think it stems from a real (and well deseved) inferiority complex
yep those many years of walking off the field with dad putting his hand on our shoulders saying we’ll get em next year.
Chris Heisey looks like he needs to pay better attention to Marie Osmond’s suggestion in those ads
Win or lose, Jansen will have about 30 pitches…no Jansen tomorrow, I bet
Intersting when the players were announced in NY the fans loudly booed every Giant, while here with a couple of exceptions, just silence
Who did they boo?
It’s because they don’t know anything about any other team and have no clue what they are up against
No you just don’t need to boo the terrible players.
Oh great. Cub troll. I’ll unblock after the series. Bye
Why wait? Life sans 2-troll is SO nice.
He gone
Hey, Peachy, Want to borrow my Avatar?
First one to find which channel, please post it.
Don’t they often just stall the 2nd game until the 1st is over?
I think that happens here…unless they go extra innings.
That’s why I have the radio on to see when they start.
MLB TV
Thanks, Mike
OK..we’re cool. Burkhart just told the audience ” we have no back up plan we are telling you about here on FS1!!!”
I honestly don’t know who to root for in the Dodgers Nats series. The possibility of a Giants vs. Dodgers NLCS is just too epic.
I feel the same way.
Not me. Dodgers die, we can beat Dusty almost every day
Never ever rooting for the the Dodgers. Dodgers/Giants NLCS would be off the charts nervousness for me.
Grandal shouldve been out by a good bit at 3rd
Hmmm, is Jansen batting?
We’re on MLB network…thanks Clutch
Game starts on MLB and Fox sports go. Don’t have these channels. Guess radio it is.
Then they switch back to FS1, i believe.
Giants/Cubs on MLB Network and FOX Sports Go, at 9:15 ET.
Back at the Garage. Watching faux sports, listening to the boyz on knbr. Not quite surfmaui, but purty damn good.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1022c88366d5f8071b082bd0f6a5ab06a2ef342b4174b5803093d3e1b07d9ea1.jpg
Vamos, Gigantes!
Attababe! Let’s Go Giants!!
Where zat? Looks cool, bro.
My local tv outlet. Where I watch the playoffs, starting in 2010, Game 1 vs. the Braves. :o)
Cool. But where is it? Can’t remember where your hometown is.
Sorry – Seattle – when I’m not in Puerto Vallarta.
(Don’t mean to brag – but I’m NEVER blacked out in Vallarta.)
So you’re from Seattle and now make your residence in Puerto Vallarta?? You must smile 24/7 lol.
Just the opposite, Sincere – we retired to MX 11 years ago – fell into this SEA condo later and come up here to get out of the heat.
Estamos Mehicanos! :o)
Awesome, dude!! I took Spanish for 7 years. Middle school, all through high school, a year of college. Most of it has eroded over the years, though, sadly. Love Latin culture, food, and especially the music. Did a Cinco De Mayo gig about 8 years ago when I sung everything in Spanish with a 6-piece band. We did Buena Vista Social Club numbers, mainly, whom I LOVE. Cuban music is wonderful.
Cuban music may be the best. Even better than Irish. Maybe… ;o)
Love me some Irish music. Thin Lizzy is one of my fave bands ever, and Phil was big into Celtic lore with their rock style. Also love Luke Kelly.
Heard of Los Super Seven?
Are you kidding me? ‘The crops are all in, the peaches are rotten’…
You know I never kid.
You da man Mooooose. Their first record is one of the Best Ever.
Channell MLB N
Show me Bad Kenley
I’m happy about Bosox having to sweat out a 5 game series with Cleveland down 2 games. I’m not a big Fan of the present Bosox nation. I dislike the Cards but their fans are always pleasant to interact with.
Good bunt Gorkys! Cubs defense is overrated!
Gorkys!–Be OK, Gorkys!
Gork Gork Gork!
Make Lester work Gorkys. He can’t throw to first all that well!
And so it begins.
Have fun everybody.
GIANTS! GO!!!!
gawd that wasn’t close
That was way too small a lead and jump vs a guy that doesn’t throw to 1st
And he goes right after the play at first, Bad decision.
Yup…with a banged up ankle. Odd choice
Impatient.
I’m so scared by that manly stare down by Grampa Ross
Missed it. What happened, mate?
He threw out Gorkys and stared at Bochy like a frat bro
Maybe it’s because that dugout IS a frat. Superdouchetown.
LA 4 W 3 final
I think I am going to be more annoyed by the Nats not being able to score ONE RUN in FOUR INNINGS than anything that happens in our Giants game.
Dodgers bullpen has been great all year, and with mostly unknown pitchers .
Jayson Werth – so glad he’s not a Giant.
That at bat vs Fowler was much better than the marathon Fowler at bat the last time around with Shark on the mound.
Why are they having this game on Fox Sports 1? I hate when a channel is used that is NEVER used for a game during the regular season. Drives me nuts. Took me five minutes to FIND FS1.
Right, and you have to use some weird QAM code where I live.
Most important games of the year and they’re playing hide and seek with us. SMH.
One of my favorite channels about 15 years ago, when it was Speed Channel, before it became FS1, use to watch all my Motorcycle racing on it .
Try mlb channel
That was a generous called 3rd strike
To make up for the missed strike 2 call.
Ayuh.
No more generous than that out call at second.
you mean the slide to center field by Gorky, out by a mile
I’m glad you agree!
Really hating the camera angle. It’s way too high.
and dark
It’s too high, too dark, and too much like a video game. Flat.
Compared to what we just saw in DC and Cleveland, it’s awful.
Probably using the same video cameras as they used in 1908.
The old Mafia-Sniper cam.
Still can’t believe they overturned that call and called Merkle out!
Holy crap Jon Miller is great on the radio.
He’s got the throwback voice. And I”m talking ventriloquist either!
Just like ya draw it up. Nice goin’, JC.
Gutsy move by Bochy to go with Gorkys and Kelby. Step up, youngsters.
Well, he always goes with the vets. Wait, he always goes with the higher salaries – as dictated by the ownership group. Wait, that’s not Bochy! It’s Lincecum in disguise!
Boch’s managerial muse has hopefully returned.
Kelby will give us all he’s got. Might pester Lester from the right side.
Tomlinson up with RISP. Here we go
Did those douche announcers just say Kryptonite? Go get them Clark, I mean Kelby.
Guessing if they had Nunez, Panik would have started.
Why?
They want a balance of R-L hitters.
Break it open Kelb.
Well I don’t want to seem negative but Cueto better be planning on throwing a shut out
smh
What’s the problem?
Announcers in national games tend to be so lame these days. I think it would be great if they called games while eating snacks. Like potato chips, Tostitos, Doritos, Andy Capp’s Hot Fries…would be a real hoot!
I like Smoltzy but yeah, Vasgergian can be a dweeb. Not a fan of Matty V’s style, but will admit he knows the game very well at least.
I stand by my comment. Cheetos, too.
At least this is a Joe Buck-free zone
If you can, switch to knbr. So professional.
Oh of course!! Flemm and Jonny Boy are the best. Isn’t there a delay, however?
Where I am, sitting in a bowling alley in Seattle, the Boyz are one pitch ahead of the eejits on teevee. Which is just fine.
I listen to the radio.
I’m liking these low strike calls
It goes both ways .
Not for me
Nasty. STFD Zobrist. Strike 2 was right there…. he is trying to influence the ump.
Shhh.. Foothills will hear you
That is the epitoam of hyperboly.
And a paradiggim shift
Really annoying voice, too.
The way he said it really irritated me. It’s a very smart thing to do from a veteran player like himself. Ump will think twice about calling that a strike next time. Normally I like that about Zobrist – he is a gamer. But not when we are facing him. Looks for every edge can get.
I get the vibe that the fans in Wrigley are waiting for something bad to happen. The Gs scoring first will send most of them reaching for their tums.
JC is bringin’ the funk. Not uptown funk either. Dirty, didn’t check between your toes funk.
Yo quiero Juanito Cueto.
Yo tambien, amigo.
JC looks pretty good mobility wise. The shimmy looks easy and pain free
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-080725-classic-wrigley-photogallery-photogallery.html
Stay hot CG
A7! ‘That was not a hanger either!’
GLUG!!
Conor, the man.
Conor the goat
Are these effin commercials during the playoffs about 30 seconds longer than normal? WTH
Oh, OF COURSE!!! My buddy and I were commenting on that in the wildcard game. Game shoulda been 2 hours long with that pitcher’s duel. It was over 3.
Yep, commercials always slowing the game down. Even the “normal” length takes longer than the pitchers need to warm up.
Atta babe CG.
D’oh!
Sunofabeech.
OK, Conor, that was just flat-out stupid.
Painful. Giving outs on the bases…………sighhhhh
Leadoff runner on first 3 innings – I’m feeling ok.
Wow David Ross is such a pretentious DRAMA queen. Just do your job, you freakin’ idiot.
If I were 39, and this was my last go-round – I dunno… ;o)
Man I really hope you’re right in his case. Dude needs a beatin’.
Well, tonight, for sure!
He’s beloved by his teammates.
Base running requires some major improvement tonight.
Ahole Rizzo sets up the distraction with his stinking glove. So madden is a genius?…
Shoulda replayed it anyway.
Not close. Can’t waste it.
I think my TV needs the brightness cranked for this.
I think somebody pointed out – IT’S DARK – 1908 lighting.
HAHAHAHA YES!!!!
They still haven’t figured it out in Chicago.
Billy Hayes picked off again . Again
These 1st and 3rd base coaches are just HURTIN.
Joe Maddon is a great manager and Billy Hayes is a drunken bowler coaching first base in the playoffs. Hayes had no idea what was going on — he needed to be in Conor’s ear.
Shouldve been runner on 2nd with one out and two chances to get him
You can’t blame Hayes. It’s on Conor.
Hayes, Kelly and Meulens ALL need to be fired.
Crap.
Damn Maddon. That’s cold.
Purty smart tho.
Tired of these announcers, turning down to 1 on the volume.
Get used to big A’s fan Vasgergian… He has never liked SF even slightly
Radio.
But I’d have to sit in my car.
You can get a little portable Sony radio from Amazon for less than $20.Don’t be so cheap.
Have a radio. No Bay Area AM reception after sunset.
Use the MLB.com app… You’ll just be 3 minutes behind everyone else
The Sony model gets KNBR, don’t be so cheap.
Get a better radio.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31eUQhnZUoL._AC_US240_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg
Bochy trying do something that they never do, just because the pitcher does not hold runners is just plain stupid .
He wasn’t stealing there. Just an extended lead anticipating a bunt. Got way too far off the bag.
Well, he’s not the fastest bloke. Good play by the cubs.
That was a set play
I know
Wait we have such a hard time scoring runs already two guys thrown out on the base Hernandez and Gillespie
Gs overanxious at bat.
The Viagra single pack! When you only want to do it once!
Ever notice how the women in the Viagra commercials look like call girls and the Cialis couples look like actual couples?
Lol
This is a sick culture. And not in a physical sense.
Marketing genius, probably not.
Lester’s pc is low after 3. Gs need some effective at bats and make that cat work.
That was a phenomenal play the Cubs pulled off. Knowing Lester can’t throw to first and having to do something to keep a runner honest. Even if they don’tget the out it wwould certainly keep theG’s wwonderingin the future.
When have you seen that bbefore. Amazing!
But…. a bummer.
Gorksy!!!
Gorkys!
SCREW YOU GRANDPOPPA DRAMA QUEEN. PINE MEAT.
Con calma, TS, con calma…
Lol can’t help it. I effin hate this team. Ross, Rizzo, Arroganta, Lackey…they even have John Lackey.
That ball just died in the wind. Very nice catch though
Atta babe Gorkys.
Bochy: atta babe
Gorky’s!
Holy shizzle
What a catch…
Eddie Vedder??? This lameass hipster team is so damn stupid. WOWSERS. Vedder is from San Diego…
But his band was from Washington
I am well aware of that. Not a huge fan, but “Ten” is one of my go-to fall albums. Thinking of getting it on vinyl, 2hole…
Live at Benaroya hall is a good album, mostly acoustic.
See, the thing with PJ with me is the same as with U2. I like the old stuff with both bands, before both their lead singers decided they were God and Jesus Christ.
I got grief from my wife at the time for ordering the album after hearing Alive at 2:30AM in the car in the driveway. I loved the grit in the guitar jam. That and the jam to Paradise City(GnR) are pure energy.
When I was 20, I got so messed up and drunk one night that everyone if I was gonna be ok. So the next day, everybody sees me at a concert at the high school, and I was singing, “Oh I, Lord, I’m still alive!”
Hangin’ with Theo
Theo looked nervous.
He should.
LAME!!!!
You like rap and hip hop, right?
Only when Faith No More and Red Hot Chili Peppers bring it in their multi-genre music. Not at all in any other incarnation.
Metal?
Oh, of course. Old Metallica mainly. Pantera, Sabbath…
You kids.
I’m going to pretend Vedder is not a cubbie fan
Don’t with that helmet on he looks like a douche.
That voice though 👌🏼
Except when he’s cheering for the cubs, then I bet he sounds like horse poo
I think we have a CF’er.
That was a beautiful thing.
These announcers are tough to listen to. The TBS crew was so much better.
Smoltz is good.
I’d suggest a drinking game about the gushing over Maddon’s brilliance, but I’m afraid we’d all have the 12-hour flu tomorrow.
And we’d miss the last half of this game!
I am currently in a drinking game with my son about Bumgarner but we have had to just drink anyway.
I’m in a drinking game where every time the words “Giants” or “Cubs” is mentioned I do a shot….
Yes TBS guys are real good, both crews.
We have to live with this series being all about the Cubs…those decisions were made long ago and reinforced in the pre-production meetings
Yup.
think how sweet the victory will be.
It will be all that sweeter when we beat them!
It may be the last chance they have of talking about the Cubs this year, so let them have at it!
Yeah – in 1989.
Yep. Lame and predictable.
Are Tony kubek and Joe garagiola available
Game of the Week, bro!!
Gorkys!
Señor Span doesn’t make that catch, sorry.
Sitting 3 rows behind Obama advisor David Axelrod
Tell him to advise Obama to run for one more term.
David Ross has had quite a day.
Lester owes Buster gas money.
Giants getting good hits off Lester.
Time to turn them into runs!
Giants don’t do that, much.
Atta babe Buster.
Go Giants!!! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5284e950c2272b6aadfb99696f9820d41f88a07a1cd4bdc903560a5b5c4d4c9e.jpg
Gamer Mavo!
GO MAVO!!!
p.s. We all luv you bro.
The ONE – The ONLY
Way to go, Hunter. Loser.
Pence needs to get it going.
He can’t.
Gotta give him time to work through this….
Not at THIS time of year. That is a ridiculous statement.
You see my handle, right?
Pence should be benched for Parker next game.
Parker’s not on the roster!
Then put Tomlinson out there. Or just keep Panik on the bench, he’s worthless at the plate. Blanco couldn’t be any worse at the plate. Put Blanco out there.
DAMN. Well, Blanco couldn’t do much worse.
Pence had a hit in his 1st at bat, and Parker is not on the playoff roster !
Because they’re carrying 12 pitchers
Lovin’ this HP ump. Not buying the entitlement game. Poor Cubbies…
Not even close. Give me a break with the body language Lester
Cueto is getting those on the other side of the plate
Douche kid in slo-mo
And his whining got him the BS call
LOL ZORILLA!!
Jesus Buster there were 2 outssssssssssssssssssssss
Posey runs like an old catcher these days. So sad.
Posey runs like a catcher.
When didn’t he run like a catcher?
Angel baby.
Brain fart by Posey there…yikes
Kelly with the stop sign.
But he slowed into second
Watch the replay–Posey slowed down. Should have been running like a maniac from first to third with two outs. That one was on Buster.
He’s exhausted from catching.
He definitely forgot the number of outs.
Absolutely
flashback to Royals Gordon … fan base really let him off the hook for that Game 7 Cadillacing
LOL!! If he’d have run as hard as he could from when he left the box, he would have been exhausted by the time he got ot third and been out by 45 feet!
aw.
Agreed. How is that not an error on Zobrist
I can’t watch the replay. If Zobrist caught it one bounce, would Posey have been able to make it to third?
Posey of all people is cruising around the bases with 2 outs? Cmon guys
That was a big mistake. Might have scored.
Base coaches .. huge scoreboards all over the place
Posey should have been hustling
Tick tock tick tock
Three horrible base running plays in four innings. Maybe while we’re getting a new 3B coach for next year, we could get a coach who could teach the players to run the bases?! SMH
Yeah it’s both of em. Hayes and Kelly. They’re just absolutely awful. Could cost em this game. This, ahem, POST SEASON game.
The only sucker play was the one on Conor. Gorkys went, I don’t know why, but Buster wasn’t going to score anyway.
Agree. Too slow.
Perfect combo, a first base coach who can’t run and a third base coach who isn’t sure when to run.
Meulens, too. Worthless.
I’m not bothered by it. Posey is slow.
I think even Benjie could beat him in a foot race for 90 or 180 feet. I think both keel over at 200…
We just do not hit the baseball well enough especially when it counts with Runners on base
For a team that doesn’t hit HRs, they sure don’t play small ball well.
The Giants are the king of two-out hits without men on base
I’m on radio if Posey had been running hard was it a definite score?
Definite? Eh …… 85%
Henry Schulman @hankschulman 6s7 seconds ago
Henry Schulman Retweeted dcgriswold
He had to stop at second. If the ball falls in front of Zobrist and Posey tries for third, or strays too far from second, he’s gunned out.
He slowed up at second then could only advance to third.
How do I sinc mlb app and tv?
You cannot.
Either pause the audio until it catches up with TV or use the DVR to pause the TV to sync it to the radio. We’ve done it many times over the years.
How do I pause the mlb app feed?because the TV is waaaaaaay behind
In game interviews … no one likes them. Yet you’d think they were sponsored … are they?
puke – should be tarred and feathered.
If it’s hit to Pagan take another base.
That one was hit pretty hard and far, though
That’s not on Pagan.
Yeah, this one time, definitely not on Pagan.
Cubs dugout really wantin’ this. Nervous.
KT!!!
D has been great!
KT with the stab
I wonder if Panik’s relentless hitting slump got Kelby the start?
LEster is a tough matchup for Panik being a tough deceptive Lefty with good stuff.
True.
OMG KELBY!
Great play, and he’s leading off …..
Get back out there, Cubbies.
KT!!!!!!!
Boch with KT and Gorkys paying serious defensive dividends.
ATTA BOCH.
No sheet there, Sincere.
Wow nice play kelby….
Panik… Well Panik probably snags that one too, but great play by Kelby nonetheless.
It’s the glasses.
Yeah makes him into Clark Kent.
I think I saw part of his cape when he dove
Wow.. These announcers have elected Rizzo King of Baseball!
I’m not trying to be a smart-ass but who cares what the announcer say about the Cubs
Should I crack a fresh one, dude? Thinkin’ I need a beer ova here lol.
Well someone had to take over for Derek Jeter
Nice play Kelby!
KT is nothin’ but a gamer. Dude is a GAMER.
Yup