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Episode 98: That’s All She Wrote

That’ll do season, that’ll do.

Download the episode here, or stream it below:

[audio http://torturecast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2015-10-05T23_22_27-07_00.mp3]

Since 2011 we’ve brought (almost) weekly podcasts to chronicle the San Francisco Giants’ season with cheer, torture, profanity and hope. We’ve been fortunate enough to cover two World Series championships, but this year was not meant to be. The Giants finished 84-78; in second place in the NL West. To be honest, given the injuries, this was not a horrible record, but surely far short of where the Giants and their fans wanted to be.

Willie, Chad and Ben get together to wrap up the season in Episode 98 of the TortureCast. We offer up what went wrong and right for the Giants, and what their offseason priorities should be. Chad also has correctly predicted the last two season win totals at 88 in 2014 and 84 this year. Vegas had them at 84.5 wins for the over/under. No money changed hands.

We offer our postseason winner predictions and who we want to win. All three of us settled on Cubs (want) and Cards (should). Besides, the Giants and Cards have alternated the NL pennant the last 5 years. Why should that change? It would only give credence to the even year magic that they will surely experience next year as they pass around their fourth commissioner’s trophy.

Chad

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Episode 97: Still a Pulse…

Yes, technically, yes we are.

Download the episode here, or stream it below:

[audio http://torturecast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2015-09-28T23_25_44-07_00.mp3]

In a tumultuous episode after a break from scheduling difficulties, Chad, Willie and Eric break down the chances for the Giants winning the NL West.

As I type this at 11:15 pm, the Giants just won on a sac fly to left field in the bottom of the 12th inning to keep their chances on a morphine drip.

The Giants are certainly not looking like they’ll last long, but as we say, take it one game at a time.

The boys use their humor and defensive mechanisms to get through episode 97.

The Giants are still alive…mathematically anyway…

Chad

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Episode 96: Giant Collapse

Can you name this Giant? He just might be the face of the 2015 season. If you DO recognize him, you realize he’s played far too many games for the defending World Champs. Yes, Ehire Adrianza and others have had to fill in for a decimated Giants’ roster, which well, has suddenly turned 2015 into a tire fire.

Download episode 96 here, or stream it below!

[audio http://torturecast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2015-09-07T23_16_28-07_00.mp3]

What the hell?! We take one measly week off and the Giants fall off a cliff?! We promise that we didn’t take a mercenary contract out on any of the players, or spike the Gatorade in LA. From 1 ½ games back of the Dodgers when we recorded episode 95 exactly 2 weeks ago, to an 8 ½ game chasm, the Giants’ season is all but mathematically over. So, sit back and commiserate with Chad, Ben and Eric in this eulogizing podcast. Damn, this odd year curse might actually be real.

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Giants Walk it Off

Tomlinsons’ line drive in the bottom of the 9th was almost snagged by Siegrest, but made it through 5 infielders to secure the walk off win.

Mike Leake deserved better, but then again, so did the starter for the Cards. In a game full of errors, walks, hit batsmen, and botched double plays, both sides gave away multiple runs. It did appear that the Giants’ first strike would be the fatal blow, when Marlon Byrd launched a grand slam just out of the reach of Pham over the center field wall. Afterall, the Giants have won all of their games in which they have hit a grand slam since 2007, and this was their club-record eight of this year. It wasn’t meant to be the difference, as the Cards chipped away, and the last three runs were scored courtesy of a dropped double play ball by Adrianza (no error, though), and a wild pitch with two outs and a runner on third that tied it.

Enter the bottom of the ninth. Since Trevor Rosenthal is on paternity leave for a few days, Mike Matheny had to rely on Maness, Broxton and Siegrest. Siegrest was tagged for his first loss of the year (5-1) when the rookie Kelby Tomlinson ripped a single up the middle after the bases were loaded with one out.

Celebration ensued, and in the clubhouse, I showed Tomlinson his bat flip on my phone. He was embarrassed, but I think he was a little proud of that flip as well.

Chad

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The Giants could win the rest of their games to tie their 1993 win total when THEY DIDN’T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!

To match their record from 1993 (and they didn’t make the playoffs then), the Giants would have to win the rest of their games. I remember sitting at Candlestick watching the 49ers demolish the Vikings while the Braves beat the inaugural Rockies (Braves went 13-0 vs. Col) to secure the NL West with 104 wins. Giants had 103.

To refresh your memory, 1993 included these images:

And finally…

Ok, I’m officially feeling dementia coming on….

Chad

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Episode 95: Somehow the Giants are Still in it

Putting orange things in your ears apparently is a good thing. The Giants’ ain’t having not going to the playoffs, maybe, in 2015.

Download the episode here, or stream it below!

Despite a 2-5 road trip, the Giants actually GAINED a half a game on the Dodgers, who have lost 5 in a row, and now the Giants only sit 1 1/2 games back. Let’s just not think of the wild card at this point.

Chad and Eric are joined by Ryan Leong from Associated Press Radio, who covered all 4 games in Pittsburgh, plus the Steelers exhibition game. We talk about the series, pinch-hitting MadBum, the Giants’ league-leading batting average, and their chances on catching the Dodgers. Really, it doesn’t look to bad…at least now.

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Bonusode 93.1: Giants 8, Nationals 5 (8.14.15)

Crawford and Harper sharing hairdo “best practices.” (Photo: Chad King)

Download the episode here, or stream it below!

After Willie and Chad covered game 2 of the Nationals-Giants series, they were joined by regular guest Jen Cosgriff and new guest JuanPedro Huerta at Zeke’s for a boisterous bonusode. We discuss the game, Jen’s complete destruction of California teams during her midwest trip, the “Full Clubhouse” parody and more while we pound back a few adult beverages.

Be sure to check out Chad’s interview with Hunter Strickland before the game!

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Interview with Hunter Strickland

His locker mate is Jeremy Affeldt, and HE HAD NOT YET SEEN THE “FULL CLUBHOUSE” PARODY! (photo: mlb.com)

Download the interview here, or stream it below!

Chad visited the Giants clubhouse and interviewed reliever Hunter Strickland before the Giants beat the Nationals 8-5. Hunter discusses his lack of love for an automated strike zone, the confidence it takes to pitch in the majors, touts the camaraderie of the clubhouse, and being a southern boy, his favorite food is fried chicken, because of course you should know that. Be sure to check out Bonusode 93.1 that was recorded after the game at Zeke’s!

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Episode 93: Shrug off that Hangover

Didn’t we all feel like we took one off the noggin’ this weekend?

Right click here to download the podcast, or stream it below!

[audio http://torturecast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2015-08-10T22_44_01-07_00.mp3]

The boys are back after a vacation break to bring you some heartache, but silver linings. The Giants were swept by the Cubs, but thanks to the Pirates and Nats, sit only 2.5 games back of the Dodgers. We talk starting rotation, injuries, who we love and hate, and basically sing a huge kumbaya.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @TortureCast and like us on Facebook!

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Another Press Box Dills Stream of Consciousness – July 10th SF v PHI

Listen to our “Bonusode” at Zeke’s here, stream it below!

[audio http://torturecast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2015-07-12T11_35_17-07_00.mp3]

Listen to our interview with All Star SS Brandon Crawford

[audio http://torturecast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2015-07-10T20_25_52-07_00.mp3]

Listen to our interview with Matt Duffy

[audio http://torturecast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2015-07-10T20_22_24-07_00.mp3]

Here we are again. Considering the struggles this team has had its amazing that the flag in right center is still hanging in the second position. If the rest of the west wasn’t so weak it wouldn’t be but we’ll take what we can get. Tonight’s an important game as the Giants are sitting at 43-43. Dipping below .500 can be a psychological blow and the Phillies aren’t exactly world beaters so a loss with your horse on the mound could be devestating. As the game goes on I’ll be noting my thoughts here for your enjoyment. Go Giants.

  • First real shareable moment of the night is the bat boy hitting the dirt bringing balls out in the first. It is social media night so I’m sure that will be all over the Twitters. He did get a well deserved standing ovation upon returning to the dugout. Look. We all have embarrassing moments growing up. They just usually don’t happen in front of 42,000 people.
  • If you had told me at the beginning of the year that Duffy would be hitting in the 3 hole consistently I would have assumed that we’d be out of contention. He’s been one of the best stories of 2015 and after losing Pablo and the struggles of McGeehee, it’s awesome to see him doing well.
  • Three straight singles to get going against the stingy Cole Hamels. Unfortunately, Posey hits into a double play and the Giants only get one run out of a bases loaded nobody out situation. We’ll see if that comes back to haunt them. (Edit: nope)
  • After a narrow escape by Bum in the first as well we have settled in to a bit of a duel. Both pitchers look like they are in a fairly decent rhythm. Could be a low scori…aaaaand as I’m typing this Carlos Ruiz (remember him?) hits one out on the first pitch and we’re tied.
  • Since facing the Phillies in 2010 this team has made a full 180. What used to be a perrenial contender is now a collection of unknowns dwelling in the cellar of the NL East. That team was so scary for so long and it’s tough to pinpoint exactly where it all went wrong.
  • On a team struggling to score runs two run singles up the middle are a beautiful sight. The fact that Maxwell and Pagan had a hand in the inning is also beautiful. These guys have been scuffling for an extended period of time and we’re going nowhere without them.
  • Panik keeps it going and the Giants have the rare double bases loaded one out situation in a single inning.
  • We’ve officially given up on keeping score as the Giants bat around in the 4th. The inning started with Brandon Crawford striking out and after 8 guys came around the bags we’re back at Crawford. Pence hit a Grand Slam in the meantime to continue his campaign to save the Giants.
  • Can’t tell if the Giants are really good at baseball or the Phillies are really bad. Maybe a bit of both?
  • How does a 10-1 route get better? When Bumgarner has a bizzare stand off on the basepaths with Phillies 3rd baseman, Maikel Franco.
  • Bumgarner leaves the game in the 6th after getting into a little trouble. It’s a shorter start by his standards but since we have finally given him some run support its nice to let him relax and take rest of the night off. The game isn’t over by any means but it’s gonna take a Herculean effort for this Phillies lineup to come back.
  • I need to start bringing a radio into the box. Games like this are perfect for Jon Miller stories.
  • The crowd is now in full on party mode. I guess that’s what happens when you score 11. This team needed a game like this. Recently runs have been so hard to come by and a blowout can actually provide confidence for many games to come.
  • It’s now a baker’s dozen as Panik launches one into the seats with Pagan aboard. The Giants are just teeing off at this point as they’ve scored in every inning since the 8 run outburst.
  • One thing the American League doesn’t get is Jean Machi at bats. They’re missing out.
  • A fan jumped into the cove after Panik’s home run ball. It was quite a majestic move, reminiscent of Aubry Huff’s legendary rail jump after Matt Cain’s perfecto in 2012. He did get the ball and what looks like a stern talking to by some official looking gentlemen. The smile never left his face, however. What more could we get from this game? It has it all!
  • Ladies and Gentlemen. The Giants just got 20 hits at AT&T park. I shit you not.
  • Make that 21 which is the most ever in a game at AT&T park. Maxwell with 4 of them. At this point the Giants are 21 for 41 for the game which is a .512 avg.
  • Another bat boy bites the dust but this time to much less fanfare. The Phillies BB was almost off the field with a bat and tripped. More on this story as it develops.
  • Another cool thing that happened: a Giants front office employee tweeted at me that he is a fan of my podcast, The Instance. He then tweeted a pic of his 10 year WoW statue and his 3 rings. Epic.
  • Giants win by a final of 15-2. Now to the bar for a bonusode!

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