The San Francisco Giants are currently playing a 3-game series in Chicago against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Seeing the Giants playing in Chicago brings up a lot of memories for this fan of the Orange and Black. (Eric, so you know who’s writing this post). And this series means a little more to me than most.
I’ll back up a little. If you’re a regular listener of the podcast, you know that I currently live on a farm in Georgia and grew up in the Chicago area. You may have asked yourself, how did this guy become a fan of the San Francisco Giants?
The short answer, is my father grew up in New York cheering for the Giants and Willie Mays and then he and my mother moved to the Chicago area in the early 1970’s. I came along at the end of that decade. I was born into Giants fandom. Continue reading →
Alex Dickerson, acquired by trade from the Padres just last week, produced immediately for the Giants, knocking in 9 runs in his first two games in Giants’ uniform, breaking a franchise record. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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The title was just too sophomoric to pass up…sorry about that. But, we do want more production from Alex Dickerson, who knocked in 9 runs in the first two games in Arizona, including a grand slam, two doubles, and a triple. This performance prompted the chant, “Dick! Dick! Dick!” from the Giants’ dugout. Truly an awesome sight and sound.
We had a small break because of Chad’s vacation, but it was a fairly successful period for the Giants, as they went 7-5 during the two week break, but still find themselves in the cellar of the NL West. Eric and Chad review the last two weeks, the latest trade rumors about Will Smith and Madison Bumgarner, compare Mike Yaztremski’s stats through 92 plate appearances with that of his grandfather’s start, this week in Giants’ history, who’s hot and not and more!
Joe Panik, pictured here, after his game-winning 2 RBI single in the bottom of the 9th to defeat the Braves 4-3…or he’s about to karate chop Duggar and Shark. This was the only joy this week in a 1-6 homestand. Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press
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The Giants went 1-6 since our last podcast, and have completely taken the season in a different direction, being outscored 55-19 in the process. In addition, they gave up 15 unearned runs this week, which is almost half of the season total of 32. They are dead last in hitting and fielding percentage, and 3rd worst in the NL in ERA, a spot they were third in just a few weeks ago. They’ve lost 5 in a row, 6 of 7, and are on pace for 97 losses. Mac Williamson was DFA’d again, Carl Yaztremski’s grandson was called up and got 3 hits, and the only win of the week was so improbable, with the Giants being down to their last strike 8 times. Baseball is weird. We talk about it in episode 167 of the TortureCast!
Brandon Belt has been one of the only offensive bright spots in the early 2019 campaign. Here he hits his third homerun of the year while playing the Tampa Bay Rays at Oracle Park over the weekend. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
You can download the episode here, or stream it below!
In episode #160, Chad and Eric have a lot to discuss. The Giants are 10 games into the 2019 season, and although they haven’t been swept, they also haven’t won a series, going 3-7 in that span and dwelling in the cellar in the NL West. The pitching has been excellent, in fact, 2nd best in the NL, but their offense is non-existent. They have averaged only 2.5 runs per game and are hitting .207 overall. Cody Bellinger has more homeruns (7) than all of the Giants (6). We also talk about the two trades Zaidi pulled off this week and the short cups of coffee for Michael Reed and Connor Joe. Eric brings in a new minor league report, and he’s planning another new segment for the episodes to come this season.
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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.
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 →
We lost two true Giants this offseason. Willie McCovey on Oct. 31, and Peter Magowan just days ago. (Photo from ESPN)
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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!
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.
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.
The San Francisco Giants will finally be returning home after a 3-city, 10-game road trip. The Giants finished the trip south with a 4-6 mark, and now have a 9-12 record overall. They’re in 4th place in the NL West, 6 games behind the first place Diamondbacks.
If it feels like the Giants have been on the road more than home so far this season, it’s because it’s true. The Giants have played 14 road games as opposed to only 7 at home. On the road, the Giants have posted a 6-8 record while winning only 3 of 7 at home. Still, it will be nice to have the boys back on the shores of McCovey Cove this week.
Team loses 98 games, there’s going to be some new faces.
Last week it was the San Francisco Giants coaching staff’s turn to get an introduction. Today, it’s time to meet the new players in Scottsdale this season. Yesterday was the first day of full squad workouts so everybody should be in camp.
Somehow, the Giants have not had to deal with a strange free agent market. They have managed to stay below the $197 million tax threshold by being smart and making trades to fill needs. It’s not a hard cap, but the Giants have paid tax in the past and it accumulates. This is a way to hit the reset button on the competitive balance tax, or CBT. Nobody can accuse the Giants of tanking or shedding payroll. They are milking every resource available without selling the farm down the line. Continue reading →
2 outs, no one on.
-Weak slap hit that beats the shift
-Jam shot with 2 strikes that floats over third
-3 run HR o… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…1 day ago
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