[Embo]

Next four games are the critical ones IMHO. The Rockies and Dbacks (especially the Dbacks) are "weaker" teams in the league. The Giants all year have made hay by beating teams they should beat. These are teams they should beat. They need to do so. It is probable that the Giants need to win at least 4 and probably 5 of the remaining 7 games. The last LA loss to the Dbacks was of "immense proportions". If the Giants don't do the same, I like our chances a lot!

LA v. AZ/Colo.  28-9 (1 to play) 
SF v. AZ/Colo.  28-6 (4 to play)

Dodgers play 3 vs Padres and then 3 vs Milwaukee.  The Brewers are up by 7 with 7 to play.  Brewers will have long clinched before their trip to LA.  Their only goal will be to keep their regulars rested.
The Padres, on the other hand, despite being eliminated last night, should have plenty of motivation.  Pride should make them want to upset, even in some small way, the Dodgers' playoff scenario.  (See Morgan, Joe, October 2, 1982)

[Embo]

Next four games are the critical ones IMHO. The Rockies and Dbacks (especially the Dbacks) are "weaker" teams in the league. The Giants all year have made hay by beating teams they should beat. These are teams they should beat. They need to do so. It is probable that the Giants need to win at least 4 and probably 5 of the remaining 7 games. The last LA loss to the Dbacks was of "immense proportions". If the Giants don't do the same, I like our chances a lot!

LA v. AZ/Colo.  28-9 (1 to play) 
SF v. AZ/Colo.  28-6 (4 to play)

Dodgers play 3 vs Padres and then 3 vs Milwaukee.  The Brewers are up by 7 with 7 to play.  Brewers will have long clinched before their trip to LA.  Their only goal will be to keep their regulars rested.
The Padres, on the other hand, despite being eliminated last night, should have plenty of motivation.  Pride should make them want to upset, even in some small way, the Dodgers' playoff scenario.  (See Morgan, Joe, October 2, 1982)

[Goose]

Dodgers play 3 vs Padres and then 3 vs Milwaukee.  The Brewers are up by 7 with 7 to play.  Brewers will have long clinched before their trip to LA.  Their only goal will be to keep their regulars rested.
The Padres, on the other hand, despite being eliminated last night, should have plenty of motivation.  Pride should make them want to upset, even in some small way, the Dodgers' playoff scenario.  (See Morgan, Joe, October 2, 1982)

The Padres could also be pretty motivated against the Giants for the same reasons. I guess we could consider that a push, as we both play them three games. I would be reasonably optimistic if we are 2 up with 3 to play. I also don't think the Brewers want to let LA just thump them, because it would be probable they will play again pretty soon for more important stakes. The goal for the Giants of course is to have it not matter what LA does. Winning the next 4 will go a long way toward that goal.

[Goose]

Dodgers play 3 vs Padres and then 3 vs Milwaukee.  The Brewers are up by 7 with 7 to play.  Brewers will have long clinched before their trip to LA.  Their only goal will be to keep their regulars rested.
The Padres, on the other hand, despite being eliminated last night, should have plenty of motivation.  Pride should make them want to upset, even in some small way, the Dodgers' playoff scenario.  (See Morgan, Joe, October 2, 1982)

The Padres could also be pretty motivated against the Giants for the same reasons. I guess we could consider that a push, as we both play them three games. I would be reasonably optimistic if we are 2 up with 3 to play. I also don't think the Brewers want to let LA just thump them, because it would be probable they will play again pretty soon for more important stakes. The goal for the Giants of course is to have it not matter what LA does. Winning the next 4 will go a long way toward that goal.

[Embo]

I was biting my nails with the score tied 2-2 top of the ninth, as anything can happen in Coors.  Then home run number 237!
I would have loved to see the Dodgers' dugout reaction when they put the "6" up on the out of town scoreboard.
Magic number now 5

[Embo]

I was biting my nails with the score tied 2-2 top of the ninth, as anything can happen in Coors.  Then home run number 237!
I would have loved to see the Dodgers' dugout reaction when they put the "6" up on the out of town scoreboard.
Magic number now 5

[Phogge]

Shooting pregame at Levi’s. Took break and saw the crooked number. Screamed. People around me thought I was having a stroke.

What a ball club.

[Phogge]

Shooting pregame at Levi’s. Took break and saw the crooked number. Screamed. People around me thought I was having a stroke.

What a ball club.

[lex24]

Niners not going anywhere with Garrapolo.  But look at how all the rookie quarterbacks fared today. So I’m not really sure you can even pull him and hope to have a difference with Lance.

---

Shooting pregame at Levi’s. Took break and saw the crooked number. Screamed. People around me thought I was having a stroke.

What a ball club.

LOL.  Let’s hope Belt isn’t  badly hurt.

[lex24]

Niners not going anywhere with Garrapolo.  But look at how all the rookie quarterbacks fared today. So I’m not really sure you can even pull him and hope to have a difference with Lance.

---

Shooting pregame at Levi’s. Took break and saw the crooked number. Screamed. People around me thought I was having a stroke.

What a ball club.

LOL.  Let’s hope Belt isn’t  badly hurt.

[BostonCard]

Now the magic number is 5.

BC

[BostonCard]

Now the magic number is 5.

BC

[lex24]

Niners not going anywhere with Garrapolo.  But look at how all the rookie quarterbacks fared today. So I’m not really sure you can even pull him and hope to have a difference with Lance.

---

Shooting pregame at Levi’s. Took break and saw the crooked number. Screamed. People around me thought I was having a stroke.

What a ball club.

LOL.  Let’s hope Belt isn’t  badly hurt.

Fracture in left thumb. Bummer. Feel as bad for him as I do the team.  Next man up.

[lex24]

Niners not going anywhere with Garrapolo.  But look at how all the rookie quarterbacks fared today. So I’m not really sure you can even pull him and hope to have a difference with Lance.

---

Shooting pregame at Levi’s. Took break and saw the crooked number. Screamed. People around me thought I was having a stroke.

What a ball club.

LOL.  Let’s hope Belt isn’t  badly hurt.

Fracture in left thumb. Bummer. Feel as bad for him as I do the team.  Next man up.

[BobK]

Terrible news

[BobK]

Terrible news

[old spanish trail]

Rats. I'm going to pretend he was about to go in to one of his slumps.

[old spanish trail]

Rats. I'm going to pretend he was about to go in to one of his slumps.

[qwerty49]

Belt was one of the hottest hitters around recently.  8HRs in 15 games, .386.

Really a bummer.

[qwerty49]

Belt was one of the hottest hitters around recently.  8HRs in 15 games, .386.

Really a bummer.

[Phogge]

Ruf coming off the list Thursday. Takes Belt's roster spot.

[Phogge]

Ruf coming off the list Thursday. Takes Belt's roster spot.

[teejers1]

Belt was one of the hottest hitters around recently.  8HRs in 15 games, .386.

Really a bummer.

Belt has to be team MVP this year, no?  Crawford was great; Posey very good; and Wade clutch.  But Belt was the best player for the Giants this season.  Really hope he plays more this season (because that will mean Giants have fared well in the playoffs).

[teejers1]

Belt was one of the hottest hitters around recently.  8HRs in 15 games, .386.

Really a bummer.

Belt has to be team MVP this year, no?  Crawford was great; Posey very good; and Wade clutch.  But Belt was the best player for the Giants this season.  Really hope he plays more this season (because that will mean Giants have fared well in the playoffs).

[qwerty49]

Ruf coming off the list Thursday. Takes Belt's roster spot.

MadBum pitches Thurs.  But not for us.

[qwerty49]

Ruf coming off the list Thursday. Takes Belt's roster spot.

MadBum pitches Thurs.  But not for us.

[BobK]

In my mind Crawford is easily the MVP.

[BobK]

In my mind Crawford is easily the MVP.

[DC 86]

In my mind Crawford is easily the MVP.

Crawford was the Giants MVP without question this year.

1. He's played 35 more games than Belt (obviously will finish with at least 40 more games played).

2. Crawford plays the most important defensive position and Belt plays the least important defensive position. Belt has hit slightly better (159 OPS+ vs 142 OPS+) but he would need to have hit dramatically better to overcome the difference in defensive contribution.

[DC 86]

In my mind Crawford is easily the MVP.

Crawford was the Giants MVP without question this year.

1. He's played 35 more games than Belt (obviously will finish with at least 40 more games played).

2. Crawford plays the most important defensive position and Belt plays the least important defensive position. Belt has hit slightly better (159 OPS+ vs 142 OPS+) but he would need to have hit dramatically better to overcome the difference in defensive contribution.

[teejers1]

In my mind Crawford is easily the MVP.

Crawford was the Giants MVP without question this year.

1. He's played 35 more games than Belt (obviously will finish with at least 40 more games played).

2. Crawford plays the most important defensive position and Belt plays the least important defensive position. Belt has hit slightly better (159 OPS+ vs 142 OPS+) but he would need to have hit dramatically better to overcome the difference in defensive contribution.

I hope you guys are right and that the last 6 games don't reinforce the case for Belt as MVP.

[teejers1]

In my mind Crawford is easily the MVP.

Crawford was the Giants MVP without question this year.

1. He's played 35 more games than Belt (obviously will finish with at least 40 more games played).

2. Crawford plays the most important defensive position and Belt plays the least important defensive position. Belt has hit slightly better (159 OPS+ vs 142 OPS+) but he would need to have hit dramatically better to overcome the difference in defensive contribution.

I hope you guys are right and that the last 6 games don't reinforce the case for Belt as MVP.

[DC 86]

In my mind Crawford is easily the MVP.

Crawford was the Giants MVP without question this year.

1. He's played 35 more games than Belt (obviously will finish with at least 40 more games played).

2. Crawford plays the most important defensive position and Belt plays the least important defensive position. Belt has hit slightly better (159 OPS+ vs 142 OPS+) but he would need to have hit dramatically better to overcome the difference in defensive contribution.

I hope you guys are right and that the last 6 games don't reinforce the case for Belt as MVP.

Just because he's not the MVP doesn't mean it's not a big loss for the Giants, definitely hurts a lot for this week and playoffs.

[DC 86]

In my mind Crawford is easily the MVP.

Crawford was the Giants MVP without question this year.

1. He's played 35 more games than Belt (obviously will finish with at least 40 more games played).

2. Crawford plays the most important defensive position and Belt plays the least important defensive position. Belt has hit slightly better (159 OPS+ vs 142 OPS+) but he would need to have hit dramatically better to overcome the difference in defensive contribution.

I hope you guys are right and that the last 6 games don't reinforce the case for Belt as MVP.

Just because he's not the MVP doesn't mean it's not a big loss for the Giants, definitely hurts a lot for this week and playoffs.

[Giants]

In my mind Crawford is easily the MVP.

Crawford was the Giants MVP without question this year.

1. He's played 35 more games than Belt (obviously will finish with at least 40 more games played).

2. Crawford plays the most important defensive position and Belt plays the least important defensive position. Belt has hit slightly better (159 OPS+ vs 142 OPS+) but he would need to have hit dramatically better to overcome the difference in defensive contribution.

I hope you guys are right and that the last 6 games don't reinforce the case for Belt as MVP.

Just because he's not the MVP doesn't mean it's not a big loss for the Giants, definitely hurts a lot for this week and playoffs.

While I agree with choice of Crawford as the Giants MVP, I think you did a disservice to Belt by referring to first base as the least important defensive position.  Every season, Belt saves a quite a few potential errors by the other infielders with his ability to scoop or reach out to snag wayward throws.  A skilled first baseman is of more value that a skilled left fielder (in my opinion, the least important defensive position).

[Giants]

In my mind Crawford is easily the MVP.

Crawford was the Giants MVP without question this year.

1. He's played 35 more games than Belt (obviously will finish with at least 40 more games played).

2. Crawford plays the most important defensive position and Belt plays the least important defensive position. Belt has hit slightly better (159 OPS+ vs 142 OPS+) but he would need to have hit dramatically better to overcome the difference in defensive contribution.

I hope you guys are right and that the last 6 games don't reinforce the case for Belt as MVP.

Just because he's not the MVP doesn't mean it's not a big loss for the Giants, definitely hurts a lot for this week and playoffs.

While I agree with choice of Crawford as the Giants MVP, I think you did a disservice to Belt by referring to first base as the least important defensive position.  Every season, Belt saves a quite a few potential errors by the other infielders with his ability to scoop or reach out to snag wayward throws.  A skilled first baseman is of more value that a skilled left fielder (in my opinion, the least important defensive position).

[Phogge]

Belt on 10 day IL. Estrada brought up.

[Phogge]

Belt on 10 day IL. Estrada brought up.

[Red80]

Belt on 10 day IL. Estrada brought up.

Phogge, check your private messages!

[Red80]

Belt on 10 day IL. Estrada brought up.

Phogge, check your private messages!