The A's are going to throw 3 sub-3.5 ERAs at the Giants this weekend.
The Giants are goinmg to be throwing 3 sub 3.75 ERAs at the A's.
This series will more than likely be 3 low scoring, tight games. When nboth teams are good, the advantages go to the home team.
If the Giants go 5-1 over the 6 cross-Bay games, that would even the all-time series at 43-43.
I'd like to see that.
But for now, I'll settle for 2 wins in SF. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with Vogelsong, as well as Cahill. But, never let it be said that the Giants will be the first team to get to a 1.8 ERA pitcher. So, unless the Giants c an scratch 1 run out of Cahill (unlikely) and Vogelsong can hold the A's to 1 or 2 (maybe) and the Giants can get to the bullpen, Cahill will probably shut them down.
A win in game 1 will be nice, but not expected.
Considering Timmy is under .500 and pitching at home,I give him the edge in game 2 vs. Brett Anderson.
That should make Sanchie's start the rubber match. Oooh, not a fun place for Sanchez to be, but he's been showing better of late. Unless he's pitching a 2 hit shut out or better, I'd be surprised if Boche let's him star the 8th again, but who knows?
The Giants and the A's are totally light hitting, numbers-wise, but the Giants have been scoring runs lately and Buster is starting to put a little stank on the ball. Plus, they're good at home, so hopefully they can get to Gio Gonzalez a bit on Sunday and get to the bullpen.
Showing posts with label upcoming series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label upcoming series. Show all posts
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Upcoming: 2 @ LA
2 game sets are a pain in the ass. They're like built-in splits (the last set at Colorado, however, should not be overlooked as an exception).
So, on Monday morning, I would have called a 2-2 week for the Giants. Now, after having been swept in Denver., that means that have to go up against Kershaw and Billingsley in LA and beat them both. Oh BTW, Giants team BA is under .240. Oh BTW, their teams leaders in homeruns are the back up left fielder and the third baseman that's been on the DL for 3 weeks. Oh BTW, after the Dodgers, they've face quality pitching staffs (Oakland, Florida) and 23 games in 24 days vs the NL Central and the Rockies again.
So, the goal has to be taking two in LA. And a maybe 14 wins over those next 23 games, just to hopefully stay relevant.
Kershaw is a pain in the ass, but everyone else seems to hit him, so WTF? Billingsley usually puts in 5 untouchable innings and then he breaks down. The Giants have to grind counts. They [u][b][i]HAVE TO GET TO THE BULLPEN[/u][/i][/b].
Cainer should get you 7 strong, and Bumgarner is on the precipice of win #1 (gotta come some time). Posey wants to hit for power (he's still hitting clean-up which is a mystery to me), and Torres came back on a terror.
No RBI's is their problem right now. The lineup is top heavy with OBP and Avg, and when you get to the black hole that is the 7-8-9 hitters, you're lucky if you got one in before someone hits into a double play.
So, freeking, frustrating,
So, on Monday morning, I would have called a 2-2 week for the Giants. Now, after having been swept in Denver., that means that have to go up against Kershaw and Billingsley in LA and beat them both. Oh BTW, Giants team BA is under .240. Oh BTW, their teams leaders in homeruns are the back up left fielder and the third baseman that's been on the DL for 3 weeks. Oh BTW, after the Dodgers, they've face quality pitching staffs (Oakland, Florida) and 23 games in 24 days vs the NL Central and the Rockies again.
So, the goal has to be taking two in LA. And a maybe 14 wins over those next 23 games, just to hopefully stay relevant.
Kershaw is a pain in the ass, but everyone else seems to hit him, so WTF? Billingsley usually puts in 5 untouchable innings and then he breaks down. The Giants have to grind counts. They [u][b][i]HAVE TO GET TO THE BULLPEN[/u][/i][/b].
Cainer should get you 7 strong, and Bumgarner is on the precipice of win #1 (gotta come some time). Posey wants to hit for power (he's still hitting clean-up which is a mystery to me), and Torres came back on a terror.
No RBI's is their problem right now. The lineup is top heavy with OBP and Avg, and when you get to the black hole that is the 7-8-9 hitters, you're lucky if you got one in before someone hits into a double play.
So, freeking, frustrating,
Monday, May 9, 2011
Upcoming: 3 vs Arizona
Giants are hot suddenly. A sweep vs Colorado will do that to you. Unfortunately, 3 of their top 4 batting averages are on the DL and the 4th is a pitcher, but they've been piecing it together. Let's not forget that if their pitching keeps it close, they just need to string together 4 or 5 hits in a 7 batter inning once a game to win.
When everyone is expected to hit .275, and everyone starts off hitting .220, you know that the hits will come in a bunch.
Giants took 2 out of 3 from the D-Backs in April, and the one that they dropped shouldn't have been dropped.
This week they send a pumped up Freak, a steady Cainer, and a temperamental pitcher to the mound. I <3 it when the top three start a series.
2 our of 3 is not necessary but expected. A sweep would officially make it a hard core win streak, which they could continue into this next weekend Chicago, and then only need to pull a .500 record when going to Colorado and LA before coming home next next weekend.
Rossi might be starting to hit (I hope), I think Buster's almost out of his slump. He's really hitting the ball on the screws. I'd like to see him go deep and get a couple extra base hits on top of that to avoid a double dip slump which comes sometimes when you quite bust through a slump (Miggy's in like a quadruple dip slump aka the career-ender).
Anyways, 2 out 0f 3, but if Sanchie pulls it together, a nice little streak maybe?
When everyone is expected to hit .275, and everyone starts off hitting .220, you know that the hits will come in a bunch.
Giants took 2 out of 3 from the D-Backs in April, and the one that they dropped shouldn't have been dropped.
This week they send a pumped up Freak, a steady Cainer, and a temperamental pitcher to the mound. I <3 it when the top three start a series.
2 our of 3 is not necessary but expected. A sweep would officially make it a hard core win streak, which they could continue into this next weekend Chicago, and then only need to pull a .500 record when going to Colorado and LA before coming home next next weekend.
Rossi might be starting to hit (I hope), I think Buster's almost out of his slump. He's really hitting the ball on the screws. I'd like to see him go deep and get a couple extra base hits on top of that to avoid a double dip slump which comes sometimes when you quite bust through a slump (Miggy's in like a quadruple dip slump aka the career-ender).
Anyways, 2 out 0f 3, but if Sanchie pulls it together, a nice little streak maybe?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Upcoming: 3 vs Atlanta
The 2010 NLDS's first rematch will happen in San Francisco as the Braves head west for a 3 game weekend series.
Last year, the Braves were the team I afeared going into October. For good reason. Aside from the help of a subpar defenseman in the middle of the diamond, that series could have been vastly different than what we ended up with.
The Braves haven't been exactly setting the world on fire out of the gate, which I sort of expected considering that Bobby Cox is not at the helm. Cox was outstanding at not only evaluating talent, but figuring out how it fit in to whatever he was doing. His lineups and his in-game management probably gave the Braves an extra 10-15 wins every year.
This year, so far, they're 8-11, 4-6 away from home. Their catcher, McCann, is still their best hitter: which means they are having issues. But their best pitcher just got off the DL and he's going tonight, which means the Giants won't have to face him this weekend.
Game 1, the Giants skip over DL'd pitcher Z's spot in the ro-ro and go right to Bumgarner against Tommy Hanson. Hanson hasn't given up more than 3 runs in any start, but he still will come in with a 1-3 record: and that one win was his last start. Historically, against the Giants, he's been very good.
Conversely, Maddy has been scuffling a bit lately. However, in his last start, the D-Backs tuched him up early, but when the Giants came back and took the lead, Maddy suddlenly pitched very good. PErhaps he's shaking the April butterflies. Either way, the Giants will have to score early and give Maddy a bit of breath. I'd like to see Code-Man get a batting average (he's 0 for 4) and I hope Panda Bear's back.
Game 2 may have the makings of a very good game. Lincecum vs Tim Hudson. Hudson has always pitched well against the Giants, but Timmy is -- well you know. The key will be to make Huddy throw a lot of pitches, work the count, get as much as you can, and se eif you can get him out by the 5th or 6th. Timmy will just have to pitch well. Considering that the Braves are hitting in the .230's as a team: that shouldn't be difficult.
This should be the game that Bochy rests some guys in lieu of a fella or two who can work a count. Schierholtz would be a good option, and Fontenot always gives good at bats, even if they don't always end well.
Game 3 will be Brandon Beachy against Jonathan Sanchez, this week coined as the moody artists of the Giants by Brian Murphy.
Sanchez has been great, and last year was wonderful against the Braves. And while Beachy is another one of those high-losses vs low-ERA guys, the Giants have a knack for turning those guys' ERAs inside out (see D-Backs series).
So, for this upcoming series, and mini-homestand, the Giants should get 2 out of 3. I'd expect Sanchie to win his game, and more than likely Timmy. That makes Maddy's game (game 1) the gravy game.
Last year, the Braves were the team I afeared going into October. For good reason. Aside from the help of a subpar defenseman in the middle of the diamond, that series could have been vastly different than what we ended up with.
The Braves haven't been exactly setting the world on fire out of the gate, which I sort of expected considering that Bobby Cox is not at the helm. Cox was outstanding at not only evaluating talent, but figuring out how it fit in to whatever he was doing. His lineups and his in-game management probably gave the Braves an extra 10-15 wins every year.
This year, so far, they're 8-11, 4-6 away from home. Their catcher, McCann, is still their best hitter: which means they are having issues. But their best pitcher just got off the DL and he's going tonight, which means the Giants won't have to face him this weekend.
Game 1, the Giants skip over DL'd pitcher Z's spot in the ro-ro and go right to Bumgarner against Tommy Hanson. Hanson hasn't given up more than 3 runs in any start, but he still will come in with a 1-3 record: and that one win was his last start. Historically, against the Giants, he's been very good.
Conversely, Maddy has been scuffling a bit lately. However, in his last start, the D-Backs tuched him up early, but when the Giants came back and took the lead, Maddy suddlenly pitched very good. PErhaps he's shaking the April butterflies. Either way, the Giants will have to score early and give Maddy a bit of breath. I'd like to see Code-Man get a batting average (he's 0 for 4) and I hope Panda Bear's back.
Game 2 may have the makings of a very good game. Lincecum vs Tim Hudson. Hudson has always pitched well against the Giants, but Timmy is -- well you know. The key will be to make Huddy throw a lot of pitches, work the count, get as much as you can, and se eif you can get him out by the 5th or 6th. Timmy will just have to pitch well. Considering that the Braves are hitting in the .230's as a team: that shouldn't be difficult.
This should be the game that Bochy rests some guys in lieu of a fella or two who can work a count. Schierholtz would be a good option, and Fontenot always gives good at bats, even if they don't always end well.
Game 3 will be Brandon Beachy against Jonathan Sanchez, this week coined as the moody artists of the Giants by Brian Murphy.
Sanchez has been great, and last year was wonderful against the Braves. And while Beachy is another one of those high-losses vs low-ERA guys, the Giants have a knack for turning those guys' ERAs inside out (see D-Backs series).
So, for this upcoming series, and mini-homestand, the Giants should get 2 out of 3. I'd expect Sanchie to win his game, and more than likely Timmy. That makes Maddy's game (game 1) the gravy game.
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.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Upcoming: 3 vs LA @ SF
Goal: 2 out of 3
Game 2 of the series is Timmy vs Billingsley which should slide in Lincecum's favor. That means the other 2 are the rubber matches.
Game 1 offers Maddy a chance to get back on the horse after a less-than-stellar 1st start vs the Padres. He's going against Giant-killer Clayton Kershaw, though, so Maddy's got to pitch for a 2-1 win. I'd call this one the gravy game (meaning if they can take game 1, so much the better, but if they drop it, games 2 and 3 are easier to win anyway).
Game 3 will be Sanchez vs Lilly. Considering that the home team tends to have a major advantage in the rivalry, and Sanchez is nails at home: this should be the Giants' game to win.
If they can score the runs.
Double plays kill rallies and the Giants have been shooting their rallies in the head regularly. Torres still out indefinitely, but Posey and Burrell should be back in. These guys are due.
Fred Sanchez, Miggy, and Panda Bear have been lighting it up. Hopefully they can get a bit more help throughout.
Game 2 of the series is Timmy vs Billingsley which should slide in Lincecum's favor. That means the other 2 are the rubber matches.
Game 1 offers Maddy a chance to get back on the horse after a less-than-stellar 1st start vs the Padres. He's going against Giant-killer Clayton Kershaw, though, so Maddy's got to pitch for a 2-1 win. I'd call this one the gravy game (meaning if they can take game 1, so much the better, but if they drop it, games 2 and 3 are easier to win anyway).
Game 3 will be Sanchez vs Lilly. Considering that the home team tends to have a major advantage in the rivalry, and Sanchez is nails at home: this should be the Giants' game to win.
If they can score the runs.
Double plays kill rallies and the Giants have been shooting their rallies in the head regularly. Torres still out indefinitely, but Posey and Burrell should be back in. These guys are due.
Fred Sanchez, Miggy, and Panda Bear have been lighting it up. Hopefully they can get a bit more help throughout.
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