[Mick]

Last night the Giants beat the Rangers 5-3.  Stanford's Austin Slater went 1 for 4 with an odd error leading to three unearned runs.  Washed up Hunter Pence hit a home run, and Posey will be out for six months with labrum surgery.

In the category of "Things I Don't Remotely Understand" is the fact that the Giants have the 16th best home ERA in all of MLB at 3.81 (and 19th best WHIP at 1.30).  Their road ERA is 11th at 4.02.  WTH?  Giants are 20th in MLB in fielding, and 28th in runs scored.  Ugly, ugly, ugly.  Can't believe they're only three games below .500.

On a lighter note, two nights ago, in the category of "Things I Have Unaccountably Enjoyed" is the sight of Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez whiffing on a foul ball...

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants...-son-mound

One bright spot is Brandon Crawford, whose range factor (basically # of chances accepted per game) tops the majors at 4.34.  League average is 3.99, so basically Crawford gets to one more ball every three games than the average shortstop.  His fielding average hasn't changed, he's been in the .970 to .975 range every year.  His season high for DPs was 2016 when he had 90, he already has 89 this year (second most in MLB).  I expect this will be his fourth Gold Glove season in a row.

And, FWLIW, the Giants won last night to pull to within a game of .500.  Austin Slater went 1 for 3 against Giant killer Patrick Corbin, and Slater's OPS is .720, better than any outfielder on the team except McCutchen.

[Mick]

Last night the Giants beat the Rangers 5-3.  Stanford's Austin Slater went 1 for 4 with an odd error leading to three unearned runs.  Washed up Hunter Pence hit a home run, and Posey will be out for six months with labrum surgery.

In the category of "Things I Don't Remotely Understand" is the fact that the Giants have the 16th best home ERA in all of MLB at 3.81 (and 19th best WHIP at 1.30).  Their road ERA is 11th at 4.02.  WTH?  Giants are 20th in MLB in fielding, and 28th in runs scored.  Ugly, ugly, ugly.  Can't believe they're only three games below .500.

On a lighter note, two nights ago, in the category of "Things I Have Unaccountably Enjoyed" is the sight of Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez whiffing on a foul ball...

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants...-son-mound

One bright spot is Brandon Crawford, whose range factor (basically # of chances accepted per game) tops the majors at 4.34.  League average is 3.99, so basically Crawford gets to one more ball every three games than the average shortstop.  His fielding average hasn't changed, he's been in the .970 to .975 range every year.  His season high for DPs was 2016 when he had 90, he already has 89 this year (second most in MLB).  I expect this will be his fourth Gold Glove season in a row.

And, FWLIW, the Giants won last night to pull to within a game of .500.  Austin Slater went 1 for 3 against Giant killer Patrick Corbin, and Slater's OPS is .720, better than any outfielder on the team except McCutchen.