Weekend Wrap: All Star Break Edition

Jul 11, 2023 | 2023 Season, Latest Post, Weekend Wrap

by
Johnny Black

Hello There Giants fans! I needed an extra day to recover from my Mexican getaways. So happy to be here..there, orrrumm here, I am! The Giants won their final two games of the series against the Rockies to close out the first half before the All. Star Break in a winning way. It feels good. The last of those two wins, a 1-0 complete game shutout by Logan Webb, was a nice experience, particularly if you are dipping toes in Baja sand and slurping Modellos while listening to Dave Fleming and CO. It was a nice way for the Giants to bounce out of their slump.

It also meant the Giants gained ground in the standings. The Giants are now 49-41, 2.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Snakes. This is a decent accomplishment considering all the injuries and the fact that they’re pitching rotation is kind of in disarray. I would guess that we would all feel pretty preppy if we were told, after April, that the Giants would walk into the Mid-Summer Classic with a record of 49-41, within one series sweep of first place in the division. With that said, let’s take a look at some first half numbers and where the Giants stand.

First Half Stats

The Giants are fifth in runs scored in the National League with 416. That’s not bad considering the injuries and the hot/cold streaks of players like Michael Conforto and others. J. D. Davis, for my money, has been the most consistent hitter on the team and this Giants squad surely misses Thairo Estrada who is out with a broken bone for at least five more weeks, at the earliest. In some ways a baseball season is a war of attrition and a test of survival. This 2023 campaign has been full of injuries and other tests of the Giants depth.

One interesting stat about the Giants is that their team fielding rank is quite low at 25th for all of the Major Leagues. The pitching has benefitted greatly from keeping the ball in the park and limiting walks.

The Giants are also seventh in homers at 106 for their league. This is a solid, better than middle of the road offensive club but it is far from elite, hence my happiness with their record. Did you know that the Giants have the third best team ERA at 3.90 in the NL and are tops in the Majors with team WHIP at 1.25? That WHIP is mighty impressive and a big part of it comes from the low amount of walks given up, 239, the fewest in the league as well and good for sixth in the Major Leagues.

Among players on the team, Estrada leads the Giants with a .290 batting average while Conforto has 13 homers to lead the club. J. D. Davis has driven in 44 to set the pace for the boys in orange and black. He has an OPS of .800, topped only by Joc Pederson’s .803 mark.

 Camilo Doval is the MLB Saves Leader, and an All Star

Did you know Camilo Doval is tied for first in saves in the Major Leagues with 26? His first have has been just fantastic.

“Ever since I got here, we’ve all treated each other like family. We support each other. It’s something that gives you a lot of confidence. When I go out to pitch, I know the best are playing with me. That’s why they’re here. I have a ton of confidence in them, and I have to give them credit. The bullpen has helped me a lot. They’ve gotten a lot of outs and given me the opportunity to save games.”

–Camilo Doval

Here is the announcement Manager Gabe Kapler made regarding Doval going to the All Star Game.


Check out that locker room and those behind the scenes Giant casual fashion statements!

Alex Cobb Is an All Star Too!


Atta babe Alex! You deserve it.

The Giants Draft Picks

The MLB Draft started a couple days back. In the first round

Pick 16 – Bryce Eldridge, Two-Way Player, James Madison High School

Pick 52 – Walker Martin, Shortstop, Eaton HS (CO)

Eldridge is expected to be a big star by many scouts. His tall frame and his hitting ability, particularly from the left side, are said to be direct to MLB material. The question is how will the Giants develop him? Will it be primarily as a pitcher or a hitter or both?

Here are the Giants choices for rounds 3 through 10:

The 2023 All Star Game is Tonight

The Mid-Summer Classic takes place tonight and the National League needs a win. Here are the rosters. The game will be in Seattle and it should be a good time. Gerritt Cole wil be on the hill for the Americans against Zac Gallen for the Nationals.

Here are the starters:

AMERICAN LEAGUE NATIONAL LEAGUE
Starters
C: Jonah Heim (TEX) Sean Murphy (ATL)
1B: Yandy Diaz (TB) Freddie Freeman (LAD)
2B: Marcus Semien (TEX) Luis Arraez (MIA)
SS: Corey Seager (TEX) Orlando Arcia (ATL)
3B: Josh Jung (TEX) Nolan Arenado (STL)
OF: Adolis Garcia (TEX) Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)
OF: Randy Arozarena (TB) Mookie Betts (LAD)
OF: Austin Hays (BAL) Corbin Carroll (ARI)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (LAA) J.D. Martinez (LAD)
P: Gerrit Cole (NYY) Zac Gallen (ARI)

This Week’s Poll

The results from last week’s poll are in!

Which player should the Giants target in a trade at the deadline?

As William S. Burroughs would say: “Innarestin…”

 

 

 

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