Tag Archives: San Francisco Giants

This Week In San Francisco Giants History: Zito’s Coors Field Shutout

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The 2012 baseball season had not gotten off to a good start for the San Francisco Giants. Despite racking up 23 hits and 14 runs over their first 3 games in Arizona, the Giants were looking at an 0-3 record after the first series of the young season. The Giants were good, but not good enough as all 3 games against the D-Backs were decided by just 1 run.

Heading to Colorado with fourth starter Barry Zito taking the ball did not give Giants fans hope for ending the skid. After all, this was the same Zito who Giants fans were frustrated with after he signed a 7-year $126 million dollar contract. In 5 years with the Giants, Zito amassed a 4.55 ERA and a 43-61 record in 140 starts. Things had gotten so bad that after he returned from the DL with a foot injury in late 2011, Zito pitched out of the bullpen.

He was not yet the Barry Zito of mythical status from the 2012 playoffs and birth of #RallyZito. Continue reading

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Episode #160: Cody Bellinger has More Homeruns than the Giants

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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.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook, and of course, visit http://www.torturecast.com for podcast episodes and written articles.

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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

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Episode #159: 2019 (late) Season Preview

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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.

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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.

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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

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Episode #158: Struck out on Harper

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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!

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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

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Episode #157: Deja-Vu

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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!

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@chadk21

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Episode #155: Coming Down the Stretch

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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.

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Episode #154: 11 is Enough

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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!

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