[Mick]

For me, there are two significant differences from the prior regime:

1) The coaching staff that Farhan and Kapler have hired are the largest, most diverse and (I believe) one of the youngest if not the youngest in the game.  Mixing those youngsters with what is the oldest players in MLB (average age is 30.6, A's are 2nd at 30.1, Dodgers are 29.2) and you've got a terrific mix, resulting in many of the hitters posting their career best OPS scores in 2020.  Belt, Crawford, Posey, Longoria have clearly bought in.

2) As we moved from a 60 game season to a 162 game season, I thought the team that was best able to platoon would walk away with the season.  to date, the Giants have only two players with more than 3xx at bats, Yastrzemski (459) and Crawford (472).  No other player has more than 386 (Posey), but 14 players have between 175 and 386.  Only three players have played more than 128, and Slater has the 128.  It's kept the team fresh.  I think they'll do lots of post-season damage.

[Mick]

For me, there are two significant differences from the prior regime:

1) The coaching staff that Farhan and Kapler have hired are the largest, most diverse and (I believe) one of the youngest if not the youngest in the game.  Mixing those youngsters with what is the oldest players in MLB (average age is 30.6, A's are 2nd at 30.1, Dodgers are 29.2) and you've got a terrific mix, resulting in many of the hitters posting their career best OPS scores in 2020.  Belt, Crawford, Posey, Longoria have clearly bought in.

2) As we moved from a 60 game season to a 162 game season, I thought the team that was best able to platoon would walk away with the season.  to date, the Giants have only two players with more than 3xx at bats, Yastrzemski (459) and Crawford (472).  No other player has more than 386 (Posey), but 14 players have between 175 and 386.  Only three players have played more than 128, and Slater has the 128.  It's kept the team fresh.  I think they'll do lots of post-season damage.

[Giants]

For me, there are two significant differences from the prior regime:

1) The coaching staff that Farhan and Kapler have hired are the largest, most diverse and (I believe) one of the youngest if not the youngest in the game.  Mixing those youngsters with what is the oldest players in MLB (average age is 30.6, A's are 2nd at 30.1, Dodgers are 29.2) and you've got a terrific mix, resulting in many of the hitters posting their career best OPS scores in 2020.  Belt, Crawford, Posey, Longoria have clearly bought in.

2) As we moved from a 60 game season to a 162 game season, I thought the team that was best able to platoon would walk away with the season.  to date, the Giants have only two players with more than 3xx at bats, Yastrzemski (459) and Crawford (472).  No other player has more than 386 (Posey), but 14 players have between 175 and 386.  Only three players have played more than 128, and Slater has the 128.  It's kept the team fresh.  I think they'll do lots of post-season damage.

To be fair to the prior regime (which brought SF three WS titles), the Giants are unique in the entire game regarding their coaching staff.  No one else has a 13 person group that focuses on game preparation in the same manner as the Giants’ staff. 

The emphasis on match-ups reflects the modern approach to the game taken to the nth degree.  Kapler is the perfect manager to lead the team at this point in time.  His dedication to game prep. and willingness to to take advantage of the wealth of information now available has separated him from his peers.  He has definitely earned the accolades that will be coming his way after the season is over.

[Giants]

For me, there are two significant differences from the prior regime:

1) The coaching staff that Farhan and Kapler have hired are the largest, most diverse and (I believe) one of the youngest if not the youngest in the game.  Mixing those youngsters with what is the oldest players in MLB (average age is 30.6, A's are 2nd at 30.1, Dodgers are 29.2) and you've got a terrific mix, resulting in many of the hitters posting their career best OPS scores in 2020.  Belt, Crawford, Posey, Longoria have clearly bought in.

2) As we moved from a 60 game season to a 162 game season, I thought the team that was best able to platoon would walk away with the season.  to date, the Giants have only two players with more than 3xx at bats, Yastrzemski (459) and Crawford (472).  No other player has more than 386 (Posey), but 14 players have between 175 and 386.  Only three players have played more than 128, and Slater has the 128.  It's kept the team fresh.  I think they'll do lots of post-season damage.

To be fair to the prior regime (which brought SF three WS titles), the Giants are unique in the entire game regarding their coaching staff.  No one else has a 13 person group that focuses on game preparation in the same manner as the Giants’ staff. 

The emphasis on match-ups reflects the modern approach to the game taken to the nth degree.  Kapler is the perfect manager to lead the team at this point in time.  His dedication to game prep. and willingness to to take advantage of the wealth of information now available has separated him from his peers.  He has definitely earned the accolades that will be coming his way after the season is over.

[teejers1]

For me, there are two significant differences from the prior regime:

1) The coaching staff that Farhan and Kapler have hired are the largest, most diverse and (I believe) one of the youngest if not the youngest in the game.  Mixing those youngsters with what is the oldest players in MLB (average age is 30.6, A's are 2nd at 30.1, Dodgers are 29.2) and you've got a terrific mix, resulting in many of the hitters posting their career best OPS scores in 2020.  Belt, Crawford, Posey, Longoria have clearly bought in.

2) As we moved from a 60 game season to a 162 game season, I thought the team that was best able to platoon would walk away with the season.  to date, the Giants have only two players with more than 3xx at bats, Yastrzemski (459) and Crawford (472).  No other player has more than 386 (Posey), but 14 players have between 175 and 386.  Only three players have played more than 128, and Slater has the 128.  It's kept the team fresh.  I think they'll do lots of post-season damage.

I also think it keeps the platoon guys hungry.  When they get their shot, they want to perform, lest they not get another shot for a while.  I didn't see any of the game last night, but I like 3 hits for Slater and 3 runs, too.  That's just the injection you need from your platoon guys.

And speaking of that, might be time to give Bryant a bit of a rest.  He's not hitting much and a good RFer makes that catch.

P.S.  Mick, 83 shutouts . . . really?

[teejers1]

For me, there are two significant differences from the prior regime:

1) The coaching staff that Farhan and Kapler have hired are the largest, most diverse and (I believe) one of the youngest if not the youngest in the game.  Mixing those youngsters with what is the oldest players in MLB (average age is 30.6, A's are 2nd at 30.1, Dodgers are 29.2) and you've got a terrific mix, resulting in many of the hitters posting their career best OPS scores in 2020.  Belt, Crawford, Posey, Longoria have clearly bought in.

2) As we moved from a 60 game season to a 162 game season, I thought the team that was best able to platoon would walk away with the season.  to date, the Giants have only two players with more than 3xx at bats, Yastrzemski (459) and Crawford (472).  No other player has more than 386 (Posey), but 14 players have between 175 and 386.  Only three players have played more than 128, and Slater has the 128.  It's kept the team fresh.  I think they'll do lots of post-season damage.

I also think it keeps the platoon guys hungry.  When they get their shot, they want to perform, lest they not get another shot for a while.  I didn't see any of the game last night, but I like 3 hits for Slater and 3 runs, too.  That's just the injection you need from your platoon guys.

And speaking of that, might be time to give Bryant a bit of a rest.  He's not hitting much and a good RFer makes that catch.

P.S.  Mick, 83 shutouts . . . really?

[Giants]

For me, there are two significant differences from the prior regime:

1) The coaching staff that Farhan and Kapler have hired are the largest, most diverse and (I believe) one of the youngest if not the youngest in the game.  Mixing those youngsters with what is the oldest players in MLB (average age is 30.6, A's are 2nd at 30.1, Dodgers are 29.2) and you've got a terrific mix, resulting in many of the hitters posting their career best OPS scores in 2020.  Belt, Crawford, Posey, Longoria have clearly bought in.

2) As we moved from a 60 game season to a 162 game season, I thought the team that was best able to platoon would walk away with the season.  to date, the Giants have only two players with more than 3xx at bats, Yastrzemski (459) and Crawford (472).  No other player has more than 386 (Posey), but 14 players have between 175 and 386.  Only three players have played more than 128, and Slater has the 128.  It's kept the team fresh.  I think they'll do lots of post-season damage.

I also think it keeps the platoon guys hungry.  When they get their shot, they want to perform, lest they not get another shot for a while.  I didn't see any of the game last night, but I like 3 hits for Slater and 3 runs, too.  That's just the injection you need from your platoon guys.

And speaking of that, might be time to give Bryant a bit of a rest.  He's not hitting much and a good RFer makes that catch.

P.S.  Mick, 83 shutouts . . . really?

To the contrary, Kapler’s “platooning” (in today’s parlance “match-ups”) is far more structured than anything employed in the past.  I read an article that quoted players as saying they felt more comfortable in the current system because they knew when they would be used.  The notion of playing Player A because he has the hot hand while Player B sits is not the Kapler-way and players appreciate it because it eliminates the grind of having to produce every at bat. The game is hard enough without that added pressure.

[Giants]

For me, there are two significant differences from the prior regime:

1) The coaching staff that Farhan and Kapler have hired are the largest, most diverse and (I believe) one of the youngest if not the youngest in the game.  Mixing those youngsters with what is the oldest players in MLB (average age is 30.6, A's are 2nd at 30.1, Dodgers are 29.2) and you've got a terrific mix, resulting in many of the hitters posting their career best OPS scores in 2020.  Belt, Crawford, Posey, Longoria have clearly bought in.

2) As we moved from a 60 game season to a 162 game season, I thought the team that was best able to platoon would walk away with the season.  to date, the Giants have only two players with more than 3xx at bats, Yastrzemski (459) and Crawford (472).  No other player has more than 386 (Posey), but 14 players have between 175 and 386.  Only three players have played more than 128, and Slater has the 128.  It's kept the team fresh.  I think they'll do lots of post-season damage.

I also think it keeps the platoon guys hungry.  When they get their shot, they want to perform, lest they not get another shot for a while.  I didn't see any of the game last night, but I like 3 hits for Slater and 3 runs, too.  That's just the injection you need from your platoon guys.

And speaking of that, might be time to give Bryant a bit of a rest.  He's not hitting much and a good RFer makes that catch.

P.S.  Mick, 83 shutouts . . . really?

To the contrary, Kapler’s “platooning” (in today’s parlance “match-ups”) is far more structured than anything employed in the past.  I read an article that quoted players as saying they felt more comfortable in the current system because they knew when they would be used.  The notion of playing Player A because he has the hot hand while Player B sits is not the Kapler-way and players appreciate it because it eliminates the grind of having to produce every at bat. The game is hard enough without that added pressure.

[Mick]

For me, there are two significant differences from the prior regime:

1) The coaching staff that Farhan and Kapler have hired are the largest, most diverse and (I believe) one of the youngest if not the youngest in the game.  Mixing those youngsters with what is the oldest players in MLB (average age is 30.6, A's are 2nd at 30.1, Dodgers are 29.2) and you've got a terrific mix, resulting in many of the hitters posting their career best OPS scores in 2020.  Belt, Crawford, Posey, Longoria have clearly bought in.

2) As we moved from a 60 game season to a 162 game season, I thought the team that was best able to platoon would walk away with the season.  to date, the Giants have only two players with more than 3xx at bats, Yastrzemski (459) and Crawford (472).  No other player has more than 386 (Posey), but 14 players have between 175 and 386.  Only three players have played more than 128, and Slater has the 128.  It's kept the team fresh.  I think they'll do lots of post-season damage.

I also think it keeps the platoon guys hungry.  When they get their shot, they want to perform, lest they not get another shot for a while.  I didn't see any of the game last night, but I like 3 hits for Slater and 3 runs, too.  That's just the injection you need from your platoon guys.

And speaking of that, might be time to give Bryant a bit of a rest.  He's not hitting much and a good RFer makes that catch.

P.S.  Mick, 83 shutouts . . . really?

Nope, 17.  83 save opportunities. Last time I read MLB Stats | Baseball Stats | MLB.com after a few margaritas...

[Mick]

For me, there are two significant differences from the prior regime:

1) The coaching staff that Farhan and Kapler have hired are the largest, most diverse and (I believe) one of the youngest if not the youngest in the game.  Mixing those youngsters with what is the oldest players in MLB (average age is 30.6, A's are 2nd at 30.1, Dodgers are 29.2) and you've got a terrific mix, resulting in many of the hitters posting their career best OPS scores in 2020.  Belt, Crawford, Posey, Longoria have clearly bought in.

2) As we moved from a 60 game season to a 162 game season, I thought the team that was best able to platoon would walk away with the season.  to date, the Giants have only two players with more than 3xx at bats, Yastrzemski (459) and Crawford (472).  No other player has more than 386 (Posey), but 14 players have between 175 and 386.  Only three players have played more than 128, and Slater has the 128.  It's kept the team fresh.  I think they'll do lots of post-season damage.

I also think it keeps the platoon guys hungry.  When they get their shot, they want to perform, lest they not get another shot for a while.  I didn't see any of the game last night, but I like 3 hits for Slater and 3 runs, too.  That's just the injection you need from your platoon guys.

And speaking of that, might be time to give Bryant a bit of a rest.  He's not hitting much and a good RFer makes that catch.

P.S.  Mick, 83 shutouts . . . really?

Nope, 17.  83 save opportunities. Last time I read MLB Stats | Baseball Stats | MLB.com after a few margaritas...

[qwerty49]

Lex is right. It’s gonna take 107.

Dodgers just rebounded from a 5-1 deficit to take the lead in bottom of 7th. Thanks Milwaukee!

[qwerty49]

Lex is right. It’s gonna take 107.

Dodgers just rebounded from a 5-1 deficit to take the lead in bottom of 7th. Thanks Milwaukee!

[old spanish trail]

Doval is lightning in a bottle. Hope it lasts awhile.

[old spanish trail]

Doval is lightning in a bottle. Hope it lasts awhile.

[BostonCard]

Magic number is 1.  Giants have clinched at least a share of the division.  Brewers gave up a 5-1 lead and are now down 8-5 late.

BC

[BostonCard]

Magic number is 1.  Giants have clinched at least a share of the division.  Brewers gave up a 5-1 lead and are now down 8-5 late.

BC

[Giants]

Magic number is 1.  Giants have clinched at least a share of the division.  Brewers gave up a 5-1 lead and are now down 8-5 late.

BC

Gausman tomorrow and Webb on Sunday (if needed).

[Giants]

Magic number is 1.  Giants have clinched at least a share of the division.  Brewers gave up a 5-1 lead and are now down 8-5 late.

BC

Gausman tomorrow and Webb on Sunday (if needed).

[qwerty49]

Kazmir to the IL. Pulled a muscle covering first in the 1st inning yesterday.

Funny how the bullpen seemed so iffy earlier this year and is now so clutch.

[qwerty49]

Kazmir to the IL. Pulled a muscle covering first in the 1st inning yesterday.

Funny how the bullpen seemed so iffy earlier this year and is now so clutch.

[FarEastStanfan]

Looking a bit beyond this remarkable season, the Giants have done a fantastic job of developing young players for the future even while putting together a legitimate WS contender from, seemingly, other teams' spare parts. The development of Lamont Wade gives them the type of young, versatile player they crave, on a more-than-reasonable salary for the next few years; Thairo Estrada has shown legitimate promise of developing into the same type of bargain player in the infield; the development of Doval and Kervin Castro sets up their bullpen not only for the playoffs, but also for the foreseeable future (barring injuries of course); and of course Logan Webb has been their most consistent starter of the second half. Meanwhile, their farm system has made a brobdingnagian leap forward, with a host of players now either knocking on the door (Bart, Ramos at AAA) or soon  to be at the doorstep (RP R.J. Dabovich at AA, Marco Luciano, Jairo Pomares, Luis Matos, Ryan Murphy, & Kyle Harrison all in A, a bit further away).

It's been a while since both the present and the future of the organization looked so promising.

[FarEastStanfan]

Looking a bit beyond this remarkable season, the Giants have done a fantastic job of developing young players for the future even while putting together a legitimate WS contender from, seemingly, other teams' spare parts. The development of Lamont Wade gives them the type of young, versatile player they crave, on a more-than-reasonable salary for the next few years; Thairo Estrada has shown legitimate promise of developing into the same type of bargain player in the infield; the development of Doval and Kervin Castro sets up their bullpen not only for the playoffs, but also for the foreseeable future (barring injuries of course); and of course Logan Webb has been their most consistent starter of the second half. Meanwhile, their farm system has made a brobdingnagian leap forward, with a host of players now either knocking on the door (Bart, Ramos at AAA) or soon  to be at the doorstep (RP R.J. Dabovich at AA, Marco Luciano, Jairo Pomares, Luis Matos, Ryan Murphy, & Kyle Harrison all in A, a bit further away).

It's been a while since both the present and the future of the organization looked so promising.

[French Rage]

I thought the Giants won the tiebreaker due to the H2H record?

[French Rage]

I thought the Giants won the tiebreaker due to the H2H record?

[ca245]

I thought the Giants won the tiebreaker due to the H2H record?

I think the better H2H record only gives them the right to host the if-needed play-off game 163.

[ca245]

I thought the Giants won the tiebreaker due to the H2H record?

I think the better H2H record only gives them the right to host the if-needed play-off game 163.

[French Rage]

I thought the Giants won the tiebreaker due to the H2H record?

I think the better H2H record only gives them the right to host the if-needed play-off game 163.

Does that mean that the Giants and Dodgers would essentially be playing game 163 where the loser has to play game 164 against the Cardinals and the winner gets home field that NLDS which (given their records) would itself also be Giants and Dodgers?

[French Rage]

I thought the Giants won the tiebreaker due to the H2H record?

I think the better H2H record only gives them the right to host the if-needed play-off game 163.

Does that mean that the Giants and Dodgers would essentially be playing game 163 where the loser has to play game 164 against the Cardinals and the winner gets home field that NLDS which (given their records) would itself also be Giants and Dodgers?

[Mick]

I thought the Giants won the tiebreaker due to the H2H record?

I think the better H2H record only gives them the right to host the if-needed play-off game 163.

Does that mean that the Giants and Dodgers would essentially be playing game 163 where the loser has to play game 164 against the Cardinals and the winner gets home field that NLDS which (given their records) would itself also be Giants and Dodgers?

Yup.

[Mick]

I thought the Giants won the tiebreaker due to the H2H record?

I think the better H2H record only gives them the right to host the if-needed play-off game 163.

Does that mean that the Giants and Dodgers would essentially be playing game 163 where the loser has to play game 164 against the Cardinals and the winner gets home field that NLDS which (given their records) would itself also be Giants and Dodgers?

Yup.

[BostonCard]

I wouldn’t rule out the Cardinals, who have been red-hot, beating the Giants/Dodgers loser.

BC

[BostonCard]

I wouldn’t rule out the Cardinals, who have been red-hot, beating the Giants/Dodgers loser.

BC

[Phogge]

Wainwright. Old fashioned. Tough to hit. Oh my!

[Phogge]

Wainwright. Old fashioned. Tough to hit. Oh my!

[lex24]

Wainwright. Old fashioned. Tough to hit. Oh my!

Ugh.

---

No bats today.  And I thought Kapler  had a bad game.  Dodgers will win tonight and tomorrow.  It’s up to Giants Sunday.

I’m concerned that they are running out of gas…..

[lex24]

Wainwright. Old fashioned. Tough to hit. Oh my!

Ugh.

---

No bats today.  And I thought Kapler  had a bad game.  Dodgers will win tonight and tomorrow.  It’s up to Giants Sunday.

I’m concerned that they are running out of gas…..

[BostonCard]

Tough game today.  They had a 2-1 lead into the 8th, but gave up the tying run in the eighth and SD won it in extras.  Good chance that it will come down to the last game of the season.

BTW, Dodgers lose Kershaw, probably for the playoffs.  That's a tough end of season loss.

BC

[BostonCard]

Tough game today.  They had a 2-1 lead into the 8th, but gave up the tying run in the eighth and SD won it in extras.  Good chance that it will come down to the last game of the season.

BTW, Dodgers lose Kershaw, probably for the playoffs.  That's a tough end of season loss.

BC

[qwerty49]

Wainwright. Old fashioned. Tough to hit. Oh my!

Ugh.

---

No bats today.  And I thought Kapler  had a bad game.  Dodgers will win tonight and tomorrow.  It’s up to Giants Sunday.

I’m concerned that they are running out of gas…..

Missing Belt in the middle of the lineup. I know he’s having a career year but IMHO Craw is really not a cleanup hitter.

[qwerty49]

Wainwright. Old fashioned. Tough to hit. Oh my!

Ugh.

---

No bats today.  And I thought Kapler  had a bad game.  Dodgers will win tonight and tomorrow.  It’s up to Giants Sunday.

I’m concerned that they are running out of gas…..

Missing Belt in the middle of the lineup. I know he’s having a career year but IMHO Craw is really not a cleanup hitter.