(07-31-2023, 05:13 AM)OutsiderFan Wrote: I watched the entire game vs. Sox on Sunday. Reminded me of torture from the WS teams. Was screaming at my TV to put Turner on 1st with tying run at 3rd. Next pitch, Giants are trailing.
Out of 11 hits, 9 singles, and so much weak contact. Out of 28 hits over the series the Giants mustered just 6 XBH. The Sox had 21 and 9 were XBH. Nine runs in 3 games on 28 hits. It’s a miracle the Giants won the series. Do you think the Giants are gonna hold most teams to 7 runs over 3 games?
One thing I will say is positive. The small ball game and just trying to scratch out runs while keeping it close is definitely good post season preparation. Kapler used every player on his bench by the 9th inning, including PH Wade for Luciano who GIDP - dumb. I had every confidence in the world Crawford would get the bunt down in the 11th. I don’t know if most teams have guys who can do that. Schmitt looked lost trying to bunt the previous AB before he walked.
WTF did they ever send Beck down? The guy plays the 2-3 inning role really well. Hopefully he’s out of options and/or stays in S.F. the rest of way.
Anyway, Tommy Pham is the guy I see available who might give the Giants a difference making bat in trade who won’t cost much. Has .820 OPS, which would be #3 on Giants, only .1 behind Pederson.
No, it’s not a miracle. They pitched and played good defense. You can win a lot of games doing that.
Injuries. I keep saying it. Now Yaz. Plus Wade with a bulky back. Not good.
Kapler almost cost them the game. Not by pitching to Turner. That would have put lead run on first. And Devers on deck. So, understand why he didn5bwalk him.
He almost cost them game by his over platoon crap. He pinch hit Yaz for Slater leading off the THIRD. I said at the time that it was dumb. Because (1) there might come a high leverage situation later where you want Slater - with Yaz in position to PH then. Sure enough - 5th inning. Giants have 1st and 3d one out and Slater’s spot comes up with lefty on mound. By this time Yaz is out so Pederson is in. Flys out to short center. Runner can’t advance.
Had Kapler not pulled Slater leading off the flipping third inning, he’d either have had Slater vs a lefty; or forced Boston to bring in a right hander. And THEN he can use Yaz.
Good managers don’t just think about the situation at hand. They think about down the line. Kapler pulls the platoon switch too early quite often. But have to say - top third was early even for him…Guess the computer said otherwise….
29 hours to deadline…..