(07-26-2022, 08:13 AM)OutsiderFan Wrote: After watching the YouTube clips of the Giants sleep walking through a 7-0 defeat in Arizona, I have a theory about what is going on with the team right now. It's based on comments I've seen from fans and my own dot connecting.
As the 2021 team stayed a little bit healthier, the platoon and match-up approach worked well. The team was winning, and that made guys who wanted to play more, buy in to the team concept. It didn't hurt to have Buster Posey being OK with missing every third game of the season, even when he was producing, to set the tone.
The 2022 team has followed a similar approach, but has been injured much more, hasn't won as much, and the best producers probably aren't OK with splitting time with others when the team isn't winning. My theory is the players are a bunch of individuals now, with so many in the last year of their deals, they worry about putting up numbers for their next contact more if they aren't winning. IOW, the Giants aren't a strong team with trust for each other as much as looking out for themselves. At this time of year everyone also has to be worried about being traded, and released if trades for other players are made.
Luis Gonzalez was the first Giant to get on base in the 6th inning, with a double, and he promptly gets picked off second base. A perfect metaphor for the season.
Yes, Belt complained mildly (but publicly) about not being left in a few days ago.
https://theathletic.com/3443882/2022/07/...decisions/
Audaces fortuna iuvat