It was a dark and stormy night in the middle of May on the Northside of Chicago. And while most of the Cubbies were thrown off by the inclimate conditions, the Giants led by Voges seemed to be right at home.
And while the Giants were not perfect (2 errors, both by Miggy -- a-fucking-gain), and voges was not nearly as crisp as his last start (7 hits and a walk in 6 IP), he K'd 7 and he got out of every jam.
Bust got the Giants only RBI on a puddle-skipping single, the other two runs scored via error. And, when the blues called the game while Rowand rubbed a fat drop of rain from his eye, pretty much everyone this side of Oprah's condo knew that the ball game was over.
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Showing posts with label errors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label errors. Show all posts
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
One Month Review: Infielders
The giants currently have the 13th most errors on the season with 17 and 18th best fielding percentage at .982.
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Miguel Tejada is the glaring offender in the infield, as he sports 4 errors and a .954 fielding percentage. That places him 20th and 21st for those stats respectively amongst regular MLB shortstops currently. It's not just the errors, though. Miguel Tejada is not playing crisply. Playing in the wrong position on stolen bases, shifted in properly and not getting to balls. All messed up.
Unfortunately, Panda Bear will miss all of May, and it looks like Miggy's going to have to stay in the lineup as the closest thing to a back up 3rd baseman. Not promising.
Fontenot, Whiteside, and Huffy are the only regular infielders that haven't commited an error yet this seaosn (including the Burriss and Belt). Of course, Fontenot was util in April, Whiteside is off the bench and Huffy's only been playing first for like 10 games.
The weak spot right now is the infield and that's going to be an issue. Since Burriss is up, hopefully he can offer a little late inning support.
Belt's hitting was a disappointment. Thinking that it's best to bring rookies up midseason rather than from opening day. Hopefully Belt's tough enough to mature and be a force at game 60 or 70-ish. It could be like Matt Williams.
Of course he could be like Todd Linden.
Huffy's another story. Ugh, .202 with only 2 homers, 18 K's in 90-something at bats.. Woof. We've finished month one, now's the time to worry.
Fred has been pulling his weight, I'd like to see him get really hot for about 2 or 3 weeks, but he's been pretty good so far, which makes me think he's going to slump soon.
Fontenot's been playing a very good defense, and when he starts, he hits like .300. But he's o'fer 10 as a pinch hitter. I'd like to see him get a little more time at SS. After all, Miggy's not hitting, and I remember that Fontenot was a regular on the Cubs.
Panda Bear has been a truly bright sot for the Giants so far this year. He's hustling, he's hitting, he's making plays he couldn't have last year. 2011 should be the year of the Panda Bear -- I really like a .300 Pablo with appropriate power and a bit of base stealing ability. Today it was revealed that Panda's going to be out 4-6 weeks with wrist surgery. Wrist surgery makes me think about DeRo, and DeRo was out a whole year.
Posey
My calls: No sophomore jinx ; .295/20/90, 140 games (batting 3rd)
Actuals at 4/30: .261/4/17 ; 24 games out of 26 ; primarily batting 4th ; back-up Whiteside is 3 for 14 with a GIDP
Belt
My calls: send him to Fresno if he struggles out the gate ; .285/15/70, 500 ABs (batting 8th)
Actuals at 4/30: .192/1/4, 52 ABs ; Fresno
Fred Sanchez
My call: .290/8/60, 80 R, 160 games, 6 errors (batting 2nd)
Actuals at 4/30: .273/2/9, 25 out of 26 (none missed due to injury), 1 error ; primarily batting 2nd ; back ups are Burriss and Fontenot
Sandoval
My calls: .310/25/90-95 ; 60 BB, 8 errors (batting 6th)
Actuals at 4/30: .313/5/14 ; 8 BB ; 1 errors ; primarily batting 5th ; no real back-up ; DL
Tejada
My call: hope for .270 w/ 15 HRs ; .260/15/65, 12 errors (batting 7th)
Actuals at 4/30: .216/1/9, 4 errors ; primarily batting 7th or 8th ; back up is Fontenot .233/1/2 w/ 30 ABs and 0 errors in 18 games out of 26
DeRosa
My call: .270 <15 HRs
Actuals at 4/30: .333/0/3, 18 ABs, DL
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Miguel Tejada is the glaring offender in the infield, as he sports 4 errors and a .954 fielding percentage. That places him 20th and 21st for those stats respectively amongst regular MLB shortstops currently. It's not just the errors, though. Miguel Tejada is not playing crisply. Playing in the wrong position on stolen bases, shifted in properly and not getting to balls. All messed up.
Unfortunately, Panda Bear will miss all of May, and it looks like Miggy's going to have to stay in the lineup as the closest thing to a back up 3rd baseman. Not promising.
Fontenot, Whiteside, and Huffy are the only regular infielders that haven't commited an error yet this seaosn (including the Burriss and Belt). Of course, Fontenot was util in April, Whiteside is off the bench and Huffy's only been playing first for like 10 games.
The weak spot right now is the infield and that's going to be an issue. Since Burriss is up, hopefully he can offer a little late inning support.
Belt's hitting was a disappointment. Thinking that it's best to bring rookies up midseason rather than from opening day. Hopefully Belt's tough enough to mature and be a force at game 60 or 70-ish. It could be like Matt Williams.
Of course he could be like Todd Linden.
Huffy's another story. Ugh, .202 with only 2 homers, 18 K's in 90-something at bats.. Woof. We've finished month one, now's the time to worry.
Fred has been pulling his weight, I'd like to see him get really hot for about 2 or 3 weeks, but he's been pretty good so far, which makes me think he's going to slump soon.
Fontenot's been playing a very good defense, and when he starts, he hits like .300. But he's o'fer 10 as a pinch hitter. I'd like to see him get a little more time at SS. After all, Miggy's not hitting, and I remember that Fontenot was a regular on the Cubs.
Panda Bear has been a truly bright sot for the Giants so far this year. He's hustling, he's hitting, he's making plays he couldn't have last year. 2011 should be the year of the Panda Bear -- I really like a .300 Pablo with appropriate power and a bit of base stealing ability. Today it was revealed that Panda's going to be out 4-6 weeks with wrist surgery. Wrist surgery makes me think about DeRo, and DeRo was out a whole year.
Posey
My calls: No sophomore jinx ; .295/20/90, 140 games (batting 3rd)
Actuals at 4/30: .261/4/17 ; 24 games out of 26 ; primarily batting 4th ; back-up Whiteside is 3 for 14 with a GIDP
Belt
My calls: send him to Fresno if he struggles out the gate ; .285/15/70, 500 ABs (batting 8th)
Actuals at 4/30: .192/1/4, 52 ABs ; Fresno
Fred Sanchez
My call: .290/8/60, 80 R, 160 games, 6 errors (batting 2nd)
Actuals at 4/30: .273/2/9, 25 out of 26 (none missed due to injury), 1 error ; primarily batting 2nd ; back ups are Burriss and Fontenot
Sandoval
My calls: .310/25/90-95 ; 60 BB, 8 errors (batting 6th)
Actuals at 4/30: .313/5/14 ; 8 BB ; 1 errors ; primarily batting 5th ; no real back-up ; DL
Tejada
My call: hope for .270 w/ 15 HRs ; .260/15/65, 12 errors (batting 7th)
Actuals at 4/30: .216/1/9, 4 errors ; primarily batting 7th or 8th ; back up is Fontenot .233/1/2 w/ 30 ABs and 0 errors in 18 games out of 26
DeRosa
My call: .270 <15 HRs
Actuals at 4/30: .333/0/3, 18 ABs, DL
Monday, April 18, 2011
Upcoming: 3 @ Colorado
This is going to be the Giants first true test on the season, by which I mean that they are going up against a team not only expected to be their competition in the division, but also a team that could very easily dethrone them as National League and World champs.
The Rockies will host the Giants and flaunt a MLB-best 12-3 record.
Of course, they haven't had what I'd call stiff competition thusfar into the season. A couple vs the Dodgers, a couple vs the D-Backs and Pittsburgh, New York, and Chicago. They lead the league in saves, which suggests that the games have been close, but they're 22nd in runs allowed, which suggests that they've been outscoring opponents rather than holding them down.
Still, 1 out of 3 might be the most we can expect, however, Timmy goes in Game 1 and Cainer goes in game 3 of the series, I'd hope for two.
The Keys:
Game 3 is going to be the rubber match. Cainer is nails versus the Rocks. They're going to put Jhoulys Chacin, a man who is pitching out of his mind and is due for one rough go of it. Buster's been hitting well, and Panda Bear has been stroking like a fluffer (oooh nasty). Chacin is not much of a strike out pitcher, and that bodes well for the Giants. But they HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM THE DOUBLE PLAYS!
Game 1 should belong to Timmy. The Rocks are floating their fifth starter out there, but, like everyone in their ro ro, he's been pitching out of his mind too. I'd be very surprised ifay of their guys will get off a hit versus Timmy.
Game 2 will see Sanchie go up against Ubaldo Jimenez, fresh off of the DL. I don't hold out much hope. A well rested Ubaldo seems to be a bad mark for the Giants.
But stranger things have happened.
I'd say this series is Brandon Belt's last shot to stay with the big club. And even now it may be too late. The problem is that he's not driving the ball. Short of 12 balls hit on line drives to the gap, Belt's got little chance to keep his roster spot when Ross gets back. Too bad too, but even his base hits are dribblers and squirters. I think he's got to get some training on hitting a nasty curve and slider before he comes back.
Also, I hope the Giants will start checking the Waiver Wires or Trading Blocks for decent SS. It'd be one thing if Miggy could hit regularly, but a .224 avg from a guy that leads the team in at bats shows that A) you got a dud and B) he's the only one you got there. 3 errors, and at least another 4 or 5 "suspect" plays in 15 games is not boding well for Miggy.
He seems like a nice guy though.
The Rockies will host the Giants and flaunt a MLB-best 12-3 record.
Of course, they haven't had what I'd call stiff competition thusfar into the season. A couple vs the Dodgers, a couple vs the D-Backs and Pittsburgh, New York, and Chicago. They lead the league in saves, which suggests that the games have been close, but they're 22nd in runs allowed, which suggests that they've been outscoring opponents rather than holding them down.
Still, 1 out of 3 might be the most we can expect, however, Timmy goes in Game 1 and Cainer goes in game 3 of the series, I'd hope for two.
The Keys:
Game 3 is going to be the rubber match. Cainer is nails versus the Rocks. They're going to put Jhoulys Chacin, a man who is pitching out of his mind and is due for one rough go of it. Buster's been hitting well, and Panda Bear has been stroking like a fluffer (oooh nasty). Chacin is not much of a strike out pitcher, and that bodes well for the Giants. But they HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM THE DOUBLE PLAYS!
Game 1 should belong to Timmy. The Rocks are floating their fifth starter out there, but, like everyone in their ro ro, he's been pitching out of his mind too. I'd be very surprised ifay of their guys will get off a hit versus Timmy.
Game 2 will see Sanchie go up against Ubaldo Jimenez, fresh off of the DL. I don't hold out much hope. A well rested Ubaldo seems to be a bad mark for the Giants.
But stranger things have happened.
I'd say this series is Brandon Belt's last shot to stay with the big club. And even now it may be too late. The problem is that he's not driving the ball. Short of 12 balls hit on line drives to the gap, Belt's got little chance to keep his roster spot when Ross gets back. Too bad too, but even his base hits are dribblers and squirters. I think he's got to get some training on hitting a nasty curve and slider before he comes back.
Also, I hope the Giants will start checking the Waiver Wires or Trading Blocks for decent SS. It'd be one thing if Miggy could hit regularly, but a .224 avg from a guy that leads the team in at bats shows that A) you got a dud and B) he's the only one you got there. 3 errors, and at least another 4 or 5 "suspect" plays in 15 games is not boding well for Miggy.
He seems like a nice guy though.
Game 15: Poor defense coughs up lead, cool Giants' bats give D-Backs win in extras; 6-5
It's tough to win when you can only get 6 hits in 12 innings, and your starting pitcher gives up 8 hits and 4 runs in less than 7, but a Buster Posey game-tying blast and a Panda Bear following him directly with the go ahead gave the Giants ample opportunity to win.
Unfortunately, Miguel Tejada's spotty defense led to an extended 8th inning, and the D-Backs tied it up and then won in 12.
Miggy is not impressing me. The guy's got a decent cluthc potential, but a lot of times that clutch is making up for runs or baserunners that he gives up. Even in cases where defense extends the inning but doesn't lead to runs-scored: the extra pitches that a pitcher has to throw gives the other team that much more exposure to the pitcher.
Giants finish with 2 out of 3 from the D-Backs, their 3rd series win in a row. Tonight they head into Denver to play 3 vs the Rocks. This'll be where mettle is tested.
In other news: Zito'son the DL. Vogelsong will take his place in the ro-ro.
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Unfortunately, Miguel Tejada's spotty defense led to an extended 8th inning, and the D-Backs tied it up and then won in 12.
Miggy is not impressing me. The guy's got a decent cluthc potential, but a lot of times that clutch is making up for runs or baserunners that he gives up. Even in cases where defense extends the inning but doesn't lead to runs-scored: the extra pitches that a pitcher has to throw gives the other team that much more exposure to the pitcher.
Giants finish with 2 out of 3 from the D-Backs, their 3rd series win in a row. Tonight they head into Denver to play 3 vs the Rocks. This'll be where mettle is tested.
In other news: Zito'son the DL. Vogelsong will take his place in the ro-ro.
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Monday, April 4, 2011
Fielding Question Marks
Huffy looks lost in right field.
I mean, let's not beat around the bush -- it seems that in the Giants infinite quest for decent hitting, they've found themselves a little overrun by decent hitters and a little under run by decent fielders.
All due respect to Pat the Bat -- whom, BTW, I totally like and don't want to lose because he's our Adam Dunn -- the Giants could have saved themselves a little heart ache (and a lot of head ache) by cutting him loose in the off season and going with Belt and/or Huffy in left field.
But, again, Pat the Bat was one of three offensive bright spots in the first weekend of play (the other 2 being Panda Bear and Belt -- oh what the hell, let's say Rowand who went 3 for 6 with a ding dong and 2 runs), and we truly do need a guy smoking Marb Lights and drinking Bud Light in the dugout.
The John Daly of the Giants, if you will.
That still leaves the problem of Huffy. OK, so, when Ross comes back, one might say we'll just put Huffy in a more "natural" position (left field) and sit the Bat.
Well, I don't like that one bit -- you have to give Burrell 500 ABs. That's all there is to it. He's got to be your cleaner-upper and non-regular at bats will pretty much make him useless.
Unless you trade him. If the Giants can move Burrell, that'll be the only logical solution -- assuming Belt plays well enough to stay in the lineup. He only makes $1M, he's only signed for a year, it would take out thump, but if there are a couple power-hitters from AA coming to our side in the deal, that'd be just fine.
But to keep Burrell on the bench, just to bring him up in the 7th inning with the game on the line, like Giambi in Colorado, is a waste of assets and opportunities. Burrell is still a young man, he does actually play left field competently and he's got a lot more to offer.
So, again, what about Huffy? I'm told Belt plays left field, can he play right? Huffy plays first well enough, he can pick he can stretch -- ok he's right handed -- but better to have a right handed 1B than a right fielder who dives after low liners that should be singles and go for triples (I mean, Jamey Carroll? Really?)
2 games in San Diego is not going to make matters any easier for Huff: 2 3:30 starts will beam the sun directly into his right eye, and that stubby corner could mess with him something awful.
Of course we're early, and he can accustom himself to the irregularites of his new position. He's probably got at least 10 more games pout there.
I mean, let's not beat around the bush -- it seems that in the Giants infinite quest for decent hitting, they've found themselves a little overrun by decent hitters and a little under run by decent fielders.
All due respect to Pat the Bat -- whom, BTW, I totally like and don't want to lose because he's our Adam Dunn -- the Giants could have saved themselves a little heart ache (and a lot of head ache) by cutting him loose in the off season and going with Belt and/or Huffy in left field.
But, again, Pat the Bat was one of three offensive bright spots in the first weekend of play (the other 2 being Panda Bear and Belt -- oh what the hell, let's say Rowand who went 3 for 6 with a ding dong and 2 runs), and we truly do need a guy smoking Marb Lights and drinking Bud Light in the dugout.
The John Daly of the Giants, if you will.
That still leaves the problem of Huffy. OK, so, when Ross comes back, one might say we'll just put Huffy in a more "natural" position (left field) and sit the Bat.
Well, I don't like that one bit -- you have to give Burrell 500 ABs. That's all there is to it. He's got to be your cleaner-upper and non-regular at bats will pretty much make him useless.
Unless you trade him. If the Giants can move Burrell, that'll be the only logical solution -- assuming Belt plays well enough to stay in the lineup. He only makes $1M, he's only signed for a year, it would take out thump, but if there are a couple power-hitters from AA coming to our side in the deal, that'd be just fine.
But to keep Burrell on the bench, just to bring him up in the 7th inning with the game on the line, like Giambi in Colorado, is a waste of assets and opportunities. Burrell is still a young man, he does actually play left field competently and he's got a lot more to offer.
So, again, what about Huffy? I'm told Belt plays left field, can he play right? Huffy plays first well enough, he can pick he can stretch -- ok he's right handed -- but better to have a right handed 1B than a right fielder who dives after low liners that should be singles and go for triples (I mean, Jamey Carroll? Really?)
2 games in San Diego is not going to make matters any easier for Huff: 2 3:30 starts will beam the sun directly into his right eye, and that stubby corner could mess with him something awful.
Of course we're early, and he can accustom himself to the irregularites of his new position. He's probably got at least 10 more games pout there.
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