by | April 3, 2019 · 7:00 AM

This Week In San Francisco Giants History: Opening Day 2010

SF Giants Tim Lincecum delivers a pitch

Tim Lincecum

This season I will be rolling out a “This Week In San Francisco Giants History” every Wednesday. It will be fun to look back on some memorable moments in Giants history so I hope you enjoy these glimpses into the past.

April 5, 2010 – The Beginning Of A Golden Era In San Francisco

Coming off an 88 win campaign in 2009, the 2010 Giants were expected to be a competitive bunch. After all, they were returning the 2-time, back-to-back Cy Young Award winner in Tim Lincecum. Don’t forget about Pablo Sandoval either, in 2009 he finished 2nd in the NL in batting with a .330 average.

Things were looking up for the ball club heading into 2010 and Opening Day did not disappoint. The Giants began the season in Houston against the Astros. This was back when the Astros were still an NL team. 2010 was the start of a current streak of 10-straight seasons the Giants have started on the road.

Reigning Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum got the ball for the Giants and Roy Oswalt took the hill for the Astros. Continue reading →

7 Comments

Filed under Articles, this week in giants history

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

by | April 1, 2019 · 1:34 PM

Episode #159: 2019 (late) Season Preview

giants-crawford-0331

Brandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants scores ahead of the tag of Austin Hedges #18 of the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Petco Park March 31, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

Chad and Eric host our annual season preview episode a little bit late…well, after 4 games into the season, but there is a good reason for that. Chad had the flu one week, then was traveling for work, then last week was having the experience of a lifetime, diving 2 miles under the ocean in the historic Alvin submarine, exploring a recently discovered “octopus garden” near an extinct underwater volcano while the BBC broadcast all this live back to the UK for their “Blue Planet Live” show. So, yeah, good reasons.

The Giants started off the season with a whimper, losing 3 of 4 in San Diego, while mustering only 5 runs in the process. They are hitting an NL-worst .177, but at least their pitching is 2nd! By the way, who expected Michael Reed and Connor Joe to be on the roster? We review this series, and preview the season, reading off all of YOUR predictions for total wins this year. Spoiler alert…most of you don’t think they’re going to win that many game. We also give our playoff, statistics, trade, and milestone predictions.

Spring has sprung, and baseball is back, baby! Can’t be sad about that.

@torturecast

facebook.com/torturecast

@chadk21

@2outhits

1 Comment

Filed under Episodes

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | March 28, 2019 · 8:55 AM

SF Giants Opening Day 2019

San Francisco Giants Opening Day

Opening Day

It’s here! The 2019 San Francisco Giants season begins today in San Diego. After what seemed like an eternal offseason full of tragedy and embarrassment, we finally get to focus on the diamond and watch the Giants play baseball for the next 6 months.

Usually I try to put together some previews before the season and we generally have an idea who is on the team. This year has not been the same. I have absolutely no feel for what kind of team the Giants will be in 2019.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The only certainty at this point, is Bruce Bochy is retiring after this season and I’m damn sure going to miss him. I’ll get to him before the home opener. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Articles

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

by | March 4, 2019 · 3:47 PM

Episode #158: Struck out on Harper

harper_landscape_sf

Sorry, Giants fans. Harper will not be wearing a Giants uniform, but then again, if he had signed, it would have been for 12 YEARS. I think some of us are glad this didn’t happen. (Graphic: NBC Sports Bay Area).

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

Chad and Eric reconvene after the #Harperwatch ended last week. The Giants were once again the bridesmaid after Harper said no and took the rose from the Phillies. But, we talk about the reasons why he stayed in the NL East, and why it could have been a prohibitive contract for the Giants, especially if they aren’t going to be competitive for a few years.

We also talk about the start of spring, the crowded outfield and pen, starting rotation possibilities, Bochy’s retirement announcement and the unfortunate Larry Baer incident.

The season is a mere 24 days away, and we can’t wait!

@torturecast

@chadk21

@2outhits

Leave a comment

Filed under Episodes

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

by | February 8, 2019 · 10:29 AM

Let’s Get This Party Started!

San Francisco Giants Pablo Sandoval Opening Day Torturecast

Opening Day is only 48 days away!

San Francisco Giants Opening Day is 48 short days away. That’s less than 7 weeks. Seven! Pitchers and catchers are reporting to Scottsdale next Wednesday the 13th, and full squad workouts start on Tuesday, February 19th. Cactus League play gets underway Saturday, February 23 in Tempe against the Angels.

There’s all your important dates for markers leading up to the season. The one I didn’t mention is Fan Fest, which kicks off this weekend at Oracle Park. Whoa. Typing “Oracle” instead of “AT&T” was a little weird there. Will get used to that.

Anyway, Fan Fest. That’s this weekend at Oracle Park. It’s usually the kick off point for any Giants baseball season. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Articles

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

by | January 31, 2019 · 11:33 AM

Episode #157: Deja-Vu

mccovey

We lost two true Giants this offseason. Willie McCovey on Oct. 31, and Peter Magowan just days ago. (Photo from ESPN)

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

This is the second time we recorded episode #157 (first version in November was eaten by my dog…I think), but we are back to get you ready for the upcoming season. Eric and I talk about what moves have occurred with the Giants’ new head of baseball operations (not much), the passing of two Giants greats, the current outfield market, potential trades, the Hall of Fame results, and our Super Bowl predictions. It’s great to be back in the podcast saddle again!

@torturecast

@chadk21

@2outhits

1 Comment

Filed under Episodes

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | October 2, 2018 · 3:36 PM

Episode #156: We’re Doing it LIVE!

Hey! We did it LIVE today! Click on the video above to watch and listen to episode 156. Or, if you prefer:

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

Chad and Eric wrap up the Giants’ poor season in episode 156 discussing their worst month in franchise history, going 5-21 and plunging 16 games below .500 after they were at .500 on August 31. Hunter Pence’s lasting speech was uplifting after the Giants got trounced 15-0 by LA. We also lament about the fact that the Giants could have forced LA into a wild card game if they could’ve won one stinking game over the weekend. We preview the playoffs, give our picks, and choose our postseason awards.

@torturecast

1 Comment

Filed under Episodes

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

by | September 24, 2018 · 2:12 PM

Episode #155: Coming Down the Stretch

pencehr

Hunter Pence watches a mammoth homerun sail to the warehouse at Petco Park. It may have been his last in a Giants uniform, but he certainly played his last road game with the Giants in St. Louis over the weekend. Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

The Giants finished their abysmal road record at 31-50 after losing their final four roadies (1 in SD, 3 in StL). It marks only the 6th time the Giants have lost 50 or more games on the road and the first time they’ve done that in consecutive seasons since 1984-85. At least they’re guaranteed of a winning home record (they are standing at 41 wins).

Eric and Chad review the week on the road, a monumental bomb off the bat of Hunter Pence, the possibility that GM Bobby Evans might be replaced and what a new GM might do (trade Bumgarner?), Melancon’s struggles, our picks for the Willie Mac award, review the current playoff situation and pray and hope that the Giants can knock LA out of the playoffs this coming weekend as both teams close out the regular season.

We’ll be back next week to wrap up the season and preview the playoffs. Until then, be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us @TortureCast.

1 Comment

Filed under Episodes

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | September 17, 2018 · 4:42 PM

Episode #154: 11 is Enough

41790440_10217554067549137_4374817524080967680_o

I spoke with Chris Berman for a bit about his Giants’ fandom and what they should do going forward prior to the game against the Rockies on Saturday.

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

The Giants lost 11 in a row for the first time since 1951. They have now established a SF record for consecutive losses, beating 1985 and 1996 (10 games). At least the 1902 and 1944 NY Giants can rest assured that their losing streak records are intact.

The Giants ended up beating the Rockies 2 out of 3 games and honestly, could have swept. Dereck Rodriguez had hist 10th game giving up 2 or fewer runs ending in a loss or no decision.

Chad and Eric talk about the last week, the losing streak, the MLB playoff picture, and more in episode 154 of the TortureCast, the podcast by and for fans of the SF Giants!

@torturecast

facebook.com/torturecast

Leave a comment

Filed under Episodes

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

by | September 10, 2018 · 2:04 PM

Episode #153: Giants May Never Win Again

ryderjones

Ryder Jones dislocated his left patella on a swing. No one touched him. WTF? Yep, this encapsulates your 2018 Giants. Photo: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

Yes, that show title is hyperbole. But, the Giants have lost 8 in a row, plunging them to 8 games under .500 and 11 games back in the West. They were swept in Colorado and Milwaukee, making it their first winless 6 game road trip since 2015. Although their pitching hasn’t been horrible, the pen and starting pitching is choosing bad spots to fail. Their hitting, or lack thereof, is the main culprit. The difference between their home (+9) and road (-17) records is astounding.

Ryder Jones going down for the season on a swing just encapsulates this injury-ridden season too well. MadBum, for all of his fire and fury, plunked Ryan Braun after their words earlier in the game, was met by a grand slam by Jonathan Schoop, the best retribution the Brewers could have asked for…and that’s after 3 of their players and manager were ejected for their reactions from the plunking.

With less than three weeks left in the season, the Giants will try and finish with some competitiveness, and hopefully be spoilers for a team or two. They will also try and avoid their longest losing streak in SF club history at 10 games (1996 and 1985). Hopefully it will never get to their overall club record at 13 games (1902 and 1944).

Thanks for the wonderful comments on YouTube, and hopefully you’ll root for this team as they close out this miserable season. Besides, football is back, and a good distraction, anyway.

@torturecast

facebook.com/torturecast

Leave a comment

Filed under Episodes

Tagged as , , , , , ,