I guess the Giants and Padres love these 1-0 games! They played their second in a row today and fourth this season. This time the teams reversed roles as the Padres won, going back up by a game in the National League West. I love 1-0 games too. Every pitch means somethin, every at bat, every inning. This is like playoff baseball. But it's because every pitch means something that I am so frustrated with this game.
Home plate umpire Jerry Crawford had a bad day. The Padres starter today Tim Stauffer, a converted long-reliever, has a 2-seam fastball like Greg Maddox used to have. It's like a hard screw ball that he can throw off the plate and it comes right back over the outside corner for righties or inside corner for lefties. But today, Yorvit Torrealba was setting up way off the outside corner and if Stauffer hit the glove, it was a strike.
The Giants were frustrated all game long with the strikezone. Buster Posey struck out in his first at bat on the fastball off the plate. He was calm about it, but when he came up for his second at bat, it was a different story. The first pitch was called a strike on that same outside pitch, he got heated. He started arguing with Crawford, and I read his lips a little. He said something to the effect of, I can't hit that pitch, not in those words, but you get the point. Then the bench started arguing and Crawford got into it with them.
Madison Bumgarner pitched his most efficient game to date and was in no trouble all game. He gave up 3 hits in seven innings of work, only throwing 79 pitches, 55 for strikes. Unfortunately, Bumgarner is a different pitcher than Stauffer. He doesn't throw that come-back 2-seam fastball. The only blemish was a homerun right into the cheap seats down the right-field line by Giant killer Yorvit Torrealba. It seems like. He does something every game he plays against his former team. He did it when he was with the Rockies too. Not only did he get the game winning hit, he got the game ending out when he threw out Darren Ford for a double play when Heath Bell struck out Buster Posey on the pitch.
Ford was running for Aubrey Huff, who washit in his right elbow by Heath Bell, in basically the same place that he got hit in last night's game. Hopefully he will be ok to play tomorrow. I haven't heard any word about that yet.
Tomorrow is going to be the best pitching matchup of the series. Revived Tim Lincecum faces the Major League leader in ERA, Mat Latos. The Giants will either be tied up again in the West, or be right back where they were when this series started at 2 games back. Everybody ready for another 1-0 game?
Saturday, September 11, 2010
1-0 GAMES WEAR ME OUT
Who said that 1-0 games were boring? Not me, that's what September games are all about when you are in contention. You might ask why I'm writing this so late after the game, after all, it's 5am right now. Well I'll tell you the truth, I fell asleep. Hey, I had a long day and I got up early. By the way, this game wore me out too! This is for people that want to get up in the mornin and want to read about the game they missed, which I'm sure most of you didn't.
Well, Jonathan Sanchez looked like Jeckel and Hyde, the offense couldn't do a thing against Clayton Richard, and they wasted opportunities with runners in scoring position late, but the Giants still overcame it to beat Padres for the second night in a row to draw even atop the NL West with 20 games left.
This was a little different than the first game where the Giants played homerun derby. This was the old stlye "ground attack" that I was talking about. The only run was scored in the seventh inning. It started off when Aubrey Huff got hit with a pitch by Clayton Richard. It hit him in the funny bone, and when trainer Mark Gruesbeck came out to look at it, Huff ran away from him. He wanted nothing to do with it. After the game, he talked about it, saying he had to "just suck it up. I didn't want to Roger Dorn it too much out there." A quote referring to one of the greatest movies of all time, Major League! He then stole second base as Patt Burrell struck out. Jose Guillen then hit a sharp ground ball in the hole between 3rd and short. Huff thought it was going to get by Miguel Tejada so he took off to 3rd. Tejada fielded the ball and threw to 3rd but Huff just beat the tag. If Tejada went to 1st he would have had Guillen, who runs just about as fast as Bengie Molina out there. Bruce Bochy then put in Nate Shierholtz to pinch run for Guillen, which was a big move in the game. The next batter was Juan Uribe. He hit a ground ball that might have been a double play, but Shierholtz went into second base hard and got a little piece of David Eckstein. The ball was slowed down a little and Uribe was safe at first, scoring Huff.
This was an agonizing game, watching Jonathan Sanchez struggle through 5 innings, walking 7 batters which tied his career high. He did the best he could while not having his best stuff out there. "I wasn't throwing anything over the plate they could hit. I didn't have my best stuff today. I just threw what I had." "I went five innings, but we have a pretty good bullpen and they did the job."
Santiago Casilla, Ramon Ramirez, Sergio Romo, and Javier Lopez bridged gave up no runs and bridged the gap to closer Brian Wilson, who just came in and got a ho-hum 5-out save. This is the 10th time this season he has been asked to save a game of more than 3 outs, way more than any closer in baseball. He is 9/10 in those situations. This was his 42nd save, tyin him for the Major League lead with Tampa Bay's Rafael Soriano. He is now 6 behind Rod Beck for the Giants single season record in saves and 3 back of Rob Nenn for second all time.
Well, Jonathan Sanchez looked like Jeckel and Hyde, the offense couldn't do a thing against Clayton Richard, and they wasted opportunities with runners in scoring position late, but the Giants still overcame it to beat Padres for the second night in a row to draw even atop the NL West with 20 games left.
This was a little different than the first game where the Giants played homerun derby. This was the old stlye "ground attack" that I was talking about. The only run was scored in the seventh inning. It started off when Aubrey Huff got hit with a pitch by Clayton Richard. It hit him in the funny bone, and when trainer Mark Gruesbeck came out to look at it, Huff ran away from him. He wanted nothing to do with it. After the game, he talked about it, saying he had to "just suck it up. I didn't want to Roger Dorn it too much out there." A quote referring to one of the greatest movies of all time, Major League! He then stole second base as Patt Burrell struck out. Jose Guillen then hit a sharp ground ball in the hole between 3rd and short. Huff thought it was going to get by Miguel Tejada so he took off to 3rd. Tejada fielded the ball and threw to 3rd but Huff just beat the tag. If Tejada went to 1st he would have had Guillen, who runs just about as fast as Bengie Molina out there. Bruce Bochy then put in Nate Shierholtz to pinch run for Guillen, which was a big move in the game. The next batter was Juan Uribe. He hit a ground ball that might have been a double play, but Shierholtz went into second base hard and got a little piece of David Eckstein. The ball was slowed down a little and Uribe was safe at first, scoring Huff.
This was an agonizing game, watching Jonathan Sanchez struggle through 5 innings, walking 7 batters which tied his career high. He did the best he could while not having his best stuff out there. "I wasn't throwing anything over the plate they could hit. I didn't have my best stuff today. I just threw what I had." "I went five innings, but we have a pretty good bullpen and they did the job."
Santiago Casilla, Ramon Ramirez, Sergio Romo, and Javier Lopez bridged gave up no runs and bridged the gap to closer Brian Wilson, who just came in and got a ho-hum 5-out save. This is the 10th time this season he has been asked to save a game of more than 3 outs, way more than any closer in baseball. He is 9/10 in those situations. This was his 42nd save, tyin him for the Major League lead with Tampa Bay's Rafael Soriano. He is now 6 behind Rod Beck for the Giants single season record in saves and 3 back of Rob Nenn for second all time.
Friday, September 10, 2010
PRAYERS FOR SAN BRUNO FAMILIES
The Giants were in San Diego last night, but just before their game vs the Padres, a tragedy was happening right here at home. About a half hour before the game started, a natural gas line ruptured and exploded in a residential area in San Bruno. It was a 30 inch diameter pipe and it made a 30 foot wide crater. 38 houses were destroyed and 7 other properties were damaged. There is an estimate of 4 fatalities.
All my prayers are going out to the families that lost loved ones and lost their homes. It's crazy knowing that you can just be minding your own business in your own home, and something like this could happen to you. I'm always worrying about all the bad in the World, but never think that I can be in danger while locked up in my house. I feel kind of close to the situation because a few weeks ago I was right by where the tragedy happened. I was at Skyline College right off of Hwy 380 and Skyline Drive. My heart and mind are with all of you.
In a related Giants story, Pablo Sandoval's mother Amelia was safely evacuated from her home in San Bruno. She is living in a home that Pablo is renting for her, and it was close enough to the explosion to warrant the evacuation. Pablo didn't know about the situation until after the game. He was very relieved that she was safe. When asked about the property being destroyed, he wasn't concerned at all, saying, "only my family." "My family is the most important thing to me." She is now staying with Pablo's older brother Michael in San Jose. Michael is currently playing 1st base for the San Jose Giants.
This is a heavy reminder to me that sports aren't everything. They mean nothing when it comes to tragedy and family. They are a great break from the normal grind of life, and a great form of relaxation, but even the players themselves would drop everything and give up all the money they make for the people they love.
All my prayers are going out to the families that lost loved ones and lost their homes. It's crazy knowing that you can just be minding your own business in your own home, and something like this could happen to you. I'm always worrying about all the bad in the World, but never think that I can be in danger while locked up in my house. I feel kind of close to the situation because a few weeks ago I was right by where the tragedy happened. I was at Skyline College right off of Hwy 380 and Skyline Drive. My heart and mind are with all of you.
In a related Giants story, Pablo Sandoval's mother Amelia was safely evacuated from her home in San Bruno. She is living in a home that Pablo is renting for her, and it was close enough to the explosion to warrant the evacuation. Pablo didn't know about the situation until after the game. He was very relieved that she was safe. When asked about the property being destroyed, he wasn't concerned at all, saying, "only my family." "My family is the most important thing to me." She is now staying with Pablo's older brother Michael in San Jose. Michael is currently playing 1st base for the San Jose Giants.
This is a heavy reminder to me that sports aren't everything. They mean nothing when it comes to tragedy and family. They are a great break from the normal grind of life, and a great form of relaxation, but even the players themselves would drop everything and give up all the money they make for the people they love.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
GIANTS MAKE STATEMENT
It's not good enough just to beat the Padres, the Giants wanted to beat them down. They wanted to flex their muscles and bully them into submission. Tonight at Petco Park, that's exactly what they did. They showed the Pads that things have changed from earlier in the season. They were tired of being pushed around and they were going to push back.
They did something that they never did before, they hit 4 homeruns at Petco Park. Aubrey Huff, Juan Uribe, Buster Posey, and Pat Burrell, in that order,all hit bombs tonight. And I mean BOMBS. All four were crushed way out of the park. Without those power threats in the line-up, the Giants would be going nowhere this year.
Last year the Giants were scratching and clawing for runs. Remember "the ground attack"? I despised that saying, and that kind of play. The Giants organization has a history of feared power hitters. From Ott, to Mays, to McCovey, to Clark, to Mitchell, to Bonds. We are used to having that threat in our lineup. Ever since Bonds retired, we have had no serious threat. No one to get the opponent thinking, "when is his turn coming up in the line-up?" Well now we have a lot of those kind of guys in the line-up. There is consistensy throughout. And consistent power. From leadoff hitter Andres Torres, with 14 homers and a slugging % of .481, to Juan Uribe, who has been hitting in the 8th slot recently. He hit his 20th hr of the season tonight.
This was only the first game of a 4 game series, but the Giants made a big statement to the Padres. We are going to take over, and you aint gonna stop us!
They did something that they never did before, they hit 4 homeruns at Petco Park. Aubrey Huff, Juan Uribe, Buster Posey, and Pat Burrell, in that order,all hit bombs tonight. And I mean BOMBS. All four were crushed way out of the park. Without those power threats in the line-up, the Giants would be going nowhere this year.
Last year the Giants were scratching and clawing for runs. Remember "the ground attack"? I despised that saying, and that kind of play. The Giants organization has a history of feared power hitters. From Ott, to Mays, to McCovey, to Clark, to Mitchell, to Bonds. We are used to having that threat in our lineup. Ever since Bonds retired, we have had no serious threat. No one to get the opponent thinking, "when is his turn coming up in the line-up?" Well now we have a lot of those kind of guys in the line-up. There is consistensy throughout. And consistent power. From leadoff hitter Andres Torres, with 14 homers and a slugging % of .481, to Juan Uribe, who has been hitting in the 8th slot recently. He hit his 20th hr of the season tonight.
This was only the first game of a 4 game series, but the Giants made a big statement to the Padres. We are going to take over, and you aint gonna stop us!
DEAR ROCKIES, WE DIDN'T FORGET ABOUT YOU
The Giants fell to 2 games behind the Padres tonight with their loss in Arizona, and the Padres win over the Dodgers. The Giants now head to San Diego for a 4 game series. But while the 2 top teams in the west fight it out, the team just on the outside will be licking their chops.
The Colorado Rockies are a scary team right now. Carlos Gonzalez, the man they call CarGo, has been the hottest hitter on the planet. He is a triple crown candidate leading the league in batting average (.340) and rbi (100). His 32 homers are 4 behind Albert Pujols, the league leader. He is currently on a 16 game hitting streak, batting .516 with 7 homers and 21 rbi. Troy Tulowitzki, the man I call Papa Tu-lo, is just as hot right now. In the past 7 games he's hitting .400 with 5 homers and 13 rbi.
We all know the Rockies recent second half history, and no one is over looking them! They are only 4 1/2 games behind the Padres now and sneaking up behind the Giants for 2nd place at 2 games back. They also play 3 games each vs those 2 teams, so they are in a great spot right now to make their move.
The Colorado Rockies are a scary team right now. Carlos Gonzalez, the man they call CarGo, has been the hottest hitter on the planet. He is a triple crown candidate leading the league in batting average (.340) and rbi (100). His 32 homers are 4 behind Albert Pujols, the league leader. He is currently on a 16 game hitting streak, batting .516 with 7 homers and 21 rbi. Troy Tulowitzki, the man I call Papa Tu-lo, is just as hot right now. In the past 7 games he's hitting .400 with 5 homers and 13 rbi.
We all know the Rockies recent second half history, and no one is over looking them! They are only 4 1/2 games behind the Padres now and sneaking up behind the Giants for 2nd place at 2 games back. They also play 3 games each vs those 2 teams, so they are in a great spot right now to make their move.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
BUSTER POSEY IS THE GIANTS MVP
I just looked at the numbers. I know anyone can make a great case for a lot of players. Aubrey Huff has brought back a threat of power to the line-up. They finally have a legit lead-off hitter who is a speed and power threat with Andres Torres. Brian Wilson has been not only the best closer in the league, but the best reliever in baseball period.
But I am a man who looks at the bottom line. Buster Posey has not only come in to the Major Leagues at one of the toughest positions in baseball, but he has come in and dominated. His bat and his hitting stats speak for themselves, and he has taken just taken control of the pitching staff. He acts like a veteran out there already.
The numbers don't lie, and before Posey got called up on May 29th, the Giants record was 25-22, a .532 winning %. Since his call up, they are 53-39, .576 winning %. And more important than that, since he took over as the man at catcher when Bengie Molina was traded on June 30th, the Giants are 38-22, a .633 winning %.
But I am a man who looks at the bottom line. Buster Posey has not only come in to the Major Leagues at one of the toughest positions in baseball, but he has come in and dominated. His bat and his hitting stats speak for themselves, and he has taken just taken control of the pitching staff. He acts like a veteran out there already.
The numbers don't lie, and before Posey got called up on May 29th, the Giants record was 25-22, a .532 winning %. Since his call up, they are 53-39, .576 winning %. And more important than that, since he took over as the man at catcher when Bengie Molina was traded on June 30th, the Giants are 38-22, a .633 winning %.
BARRY ZITO PREDICTIONS
Going into tonight's game vs the Diamondbacks, Barry Zito is the only starting pitcher that hasn't got it together down the stretch run in September. I for one am predicting that his professional and personal pride will drive him to pitch better. He is a veteran who has been there time after time, and these young pitchers are going to need him the closer they get to the post-season.
I don't know how the rest of the season will play out for Zito, but here is my prediction for the game tonight vs the D-Backs.
7 IP 5 hits, 1 ER, 7 Ks, 1 BB.
Post ur predictions below.
I don't know how the rest of the season will play out for Zito, but here is my prediction for the game tonight vs the D-Backs.
7 IP 5 hits, 1 ER, 7 Ks, 1 BB.
Post ur predictions below.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
EVERYONE BREAK OUT YOUR RED THONGS...GIANTS WIN AGAIN IN ARIZONA
After the Giants win tonight in Arizona, I'm really starting to believe. I'm about to break out the red thong like Aubrey Huff and play "The Thong Song" before every game for luck! Hey, maybe that can be the 2010 Giants rally song, like "Don't Stop Believing" for the 2005 Chicago White Sox. Hell, whatever it takes to win the Series, right? Maybe not...
This team is getting stronger and stronger at a time when the pretenders are getting weak and tired and just fading away into the off-season. The Giants are clicking on all cylinders. They have balanced hitting, with a different hero every night, and their relief pitching has been outstanding. The only thing that wasn't going well was the starting pitching.
And besides Barry Zito getting back on track, it looks like that has turned around too.
The most important piece to that starting staff is Tim Lincecum. Ever since May, they have been waiting for the REAL Tim Lincecum to show his face again. The 2-time Cy Young award winning Tim Lincecum. Well, looks like they got their "FREAK" back! He looked dominant through the first 6 innings, giving up 0 runs and only 1 hit, while striking out 10. He hit a little bump in the 7th inning, not hitting his spots and leaving the ball up. He gave up a 2-run homer to Chris Young after giving up a lead-off triple to Kelly Johnson. After an rbi triple by Bobby Abreu, Tim's night was finished.
It was a great night for Tim's confidence though. He struck out 11 D-Backs, but even more importantly, walked zero! And with the help of the 2 Water Buffalos Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell, who each had a 2 run homer, Lincecum won his second straight game and 13th of the season.
The Giants remained 1 game back of the Padres, who beat the Dodgers for the second night in a row, but they did get a little closer to the Wild Card leader. With the Phillies winning and the Braves losing, the Phillies took over the lead in the NL East, and the Braves dropped into the Wild Card spot. The Giants are 1 game behind the Braves for that spot.
This team is getting stronger and stronger at a time when the pretenders are getting weak and tired and just fading away into the off-season. The Giants are clicking on all cylinders. They have balanced hitting, with a different hero every night, and their relief pitching has been outstanding. The only thing that wasn't going well was the starting pitching.
And besides Barry Zito getting back on track, it looks like that has turned around too.
The most important piece to that starting staff is Tim Lincecum. Ever since May, they have been waiting for the REAL Tim Lincecum to show his face again. The 2-time Cy Young award winning Tim Lincecum. Well, looks like they got their "FREAK" back! He looked dominant through the first 6 innings, giving up 0 runs and only 1 hit, while striking out 10. He hit a little bump in the 7th inning, not hitting his spots and leaving the ball up. He gave up a 2-run homer to Chris Young after giving up a lead-off triple to Kelly Johnson. After an rbi triple by Bobby Abreu, Tim's night was finished.
It was a great night for Tim's confidence though. He struck out 11 D-Backs, but even more importantly, walked zero! And with the help of the 2 Water Buffalos Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell, who each had a 2 run homer, Lincecum won his second straight game and 13th of the season.
The Giants remained 1 game back of the Padres, who beat the Dodgers for the second night in a row, but they did get a little closer to the Wild Card leader. With the Phillies winning and the Braves losing, the Phillies took over the lead in the NL East, and the Braves dropped into the Wild Card spot. The Giants are 1 game behind the Braves for that spot.
Monday, September 6, 2010
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR...POSEY VS HEYWARD
Everyone knows the story of "The Tortoise And The Hare". The moral of the story is it's not how you start, it's how you finish, consistancy is the key to success, slow and steady wins the race, and don't underestimate your opponent. There is no other sport where this concept is more true than baseball.
Baseball has a long, long, season and usually teams that start off like a blazing inferno, always cool off at some point. It's Newton's law to the core. What gets hot, must cool down. It is very rare when a team is hot throughout a whole season.
The same law applies with Major League players. If your in a zone, you just have to ride it and try to hold on as long as you can because eventually it's going to end. No one can explain it.
This years N.L. Rookie Of The Year race is playing out the same way. Basically it's a 2 player race to the finish, with the hare, Atlanta Braves 5-tool phenom Jason Heyward, and the tortoise, San Francisco Giants sweet-swinging, rifle-armed rookie catcher Buster Posey. The only real legit pitcher in the race is the Cardinals Jaime Garcia, who is 13-6 with a 2.35 era and a 1.291 whip. He is having an outstanding year, but the Cards are probably going to cut down his innings and he probably won't do much more in terms of stats. The Nationals Stephen Strasburg was looking like a front runner until his season was cut short with an elbow injury.
Now it's just Heyward vs Posey. A battle to the death, oh, I mean battle for the National League Rookie Of The Year!
Heyward had a huge head start over Posey. He got the starting right-field spot right out of spring. He had all the buzz at the beginning of the season, and he was playing like an All-Star. In fact, he played so well that he was voted in as a starter on the All-Star team. He has all the tools, great power, speed, plate discipline, and a great arm in the outfield. a groin injury early in the season, and a thumb injurythat kept him out of the All Star game have slowed his season down a little. He's not having near as good of a second half, but he just turned 21 years old and he will be a star for many years to come.
Meanwhile, Buster Posey was also putting up All Star numbers, only thing was, he was doing it in Fresno. Posey didn't make the opening day roster, not because of his bat, but because the position he plays. The Giants organization felt like he needed more work calling his own games and he didn't have enough experience doing that yet. But as the days went on in May, Posey was getting more experience behind the plate, and he was just on fire at the plate. By the end of May, he was hitting around .350 with an on base average of .440 and a ops around 1.000. Giants fans were desperate for a big bat in the line-up and were clammering for Posey to come up. Giants GM Brian Sabean finally complied, and on May 29th, Posey was finally brought up. He mainly started at first base and got some spot starts at catcher. On June 30th, the Giants gave the reigns to Posey completely when they traded starting catcher Bengie Molina to the Rangers. He, and the Giants, have taken off offensively ever since. His opposite-field approach, level swing, and level head have impressed all of his team mates and coaches. He already acts like a veteran and he is handling one of the best pitching staffs in the league seamlessly.
Now let's get down to the numbers...
As of today, September 6th, 2010, before their games, these are the 2 contender's stats:
Jason Heyward has played in 117 games, in 431 at bats is hitting .281 with 16 homers and 65 rbi. He has 27 doubles,4 triples, and 9 stolen bases. His on base average is .389, slugging .473, an ops of .863.
Buster Posey has played in 84 games, and in 314 at bats is hitting .328 with 11 homers, 55 rbi, 19 doubles, 2 triples, and 0 stolen bases. His on base average is .374, slugging .506, an ops of .880.
If you calculate those numbers out to 162 games, the power numbers actually favor Posey, the only stats Heyward would have Posey on would be triples and stolen bases.
Well, there's the facts, now you can decide for yourself who the Rookie Of The Year is. Please leave your comments below.
Baseball has a long, long, season and usually teams that start off like a blazing inferno, always cool off at some point. It's Newton's law to the core. What gets hot, must cool down. It is very rare when a team is hot throughout a whole season.
The same law applies with Major League players. If your in a zone, you just have to ride it and try to hold on as long as you can because eventually it's going to end. No one can explain it.
This years N.L. Rookie Of The Year race is playing out the same way. Basically it's a 2 player race to the finish, with the hare, Atlanta Braves 5-tool phenom Jason Heyward, and the tortoise, San Francisco Giants sweet-swinging, rifle-armed rookie catcher Buster Posey. The only real legit pitcher in the race is the Cardinals Jaime Garcia, who is 13-6 with a 2.35 era and a 1.291 whip. He is having an outstanding year, but the Cards are probably going to cut down his innings and he probably won't do much more in terms of stats. The Nationals Stephen Strasburg was looking like a front runner until his season was cut short with an elbow injury.
Now it's just Heyward vs Posey. A battle to the death, oh, I mean battle for the National League Rookie Of The Year!
Heyward had a huge head start over Posey. He got the starting right-field spot right out of spring. He had all the buzz at the beginning of the season, and he was playing like an All-Star. In fact, he played so well that he was voted in as a starter on the All-Star team. He has all the tools, great power, speed, plate discipline, and a great arm in the outfield. a groin injury early in the season, and a thumb injurythat kept him out of the All Star game have slowed his season down a little. He's not having near as good of a second half, but he just turned 21 years old and he will be a star for many years to come.
Meanwhile, Buster Posey was also putting up All Star numbers, only thing was, he was doing it in Fresno. Posey didn't make the opening day roster, not because of his bat, but because the position he plays. The Giants organization felt like he needed more work calling his own games and he didn't have enough experience doing that yet. But as the days went on in May, Posey was getting more experience behind the plate, and he was just on fire at the plate. By the end of May, he was hitting around .350 with an on base average of .440 and a ops around 1.000. Giants fans were desperate for a big bat in the line-up and were clammering for Posey to come up. Giants GM Brian Sabean finally complied, and on May 29th, Posey was finally brought up. He mainly started at first base and got some spot starts at catcher. On June 30th, the Giants gave the reigns to Posey completely when they traded starting catcher Bengie Molina to the Rangers. He, and the Giants, have taken off offensively ever since. His opposite-field approach, level swing, and level head have impressed all of his team mates and coaches. He already acts like a veteran and he is handling one of the best pitching staffs in the league seamlessly.
Now let's get down to the numbers...
As of today, September 6th, 2010, before their games, these are the 2 contender's stats:
Jason Heyward has played in 117 games, in 431 at bats is hitting .281 with 16 homers and 65 rbi. He has 27 doubles,4 triples, and 9 stolen bases. His on base average is .389, slugging .473, an ops of .863.
Buster Posey has played in 84 games, and in 314 at bats is hitting .328 with 11 homers, 55 rbi, 19 doubles, 2 triples, and 0 stolen bases. His on base average is .374, slugging .506, an ops of .880.
If you calculate those numbers out to 162 games, the power numbers actually favor Posey, the only stats Heyward would have Posey on would be triples and stolen bases.
Well, there's the facts, now you can decide for yourself who the Rookie Of The Year is. Please leave your comments below.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
GIANTS HAVE A NEW WEAPON TO PLAY WITH DOWN THE STRETCH
Well, well, well. What do we have here? A new weapon at starting pitcher perhaps? Everyone knew Jonathan Sanchez had all the stuff in the World to be a number 1 starter. He just had to put it all together. Well, looks like he's finally starting to. And the key to it all, the confidence and control of his change-up. With that 3rd equalizer pitch in his control, he might be unstoppable. I wasn't sure if I was looking at Jonathan Sanchez, or Johan Santana out there!
Like Tim Lincecum, Sanchez uses a split-finger fastball as his change-up, and like Lincecum, it is the pitch that will make him an elite pitcher in this league. Since Sanchez has started utilizing his new weapon more the past 2 starts, he is 1-0, should have been 2-0, pitched 15 innings, allowed only 8 hits, while striking out 15, and walking only3, with a 0.60 era.
With the help of Juan Uribe, who hit a huge 2 run homerun for the second night in a row, and flawless performances by Sergio Romo and Brian Wilson, Sanchez won his 10th game of the season. That is his career high in wins.
Brian Wilson saved his league leading 40th game, 1 off his career high and 8 away from the Giants all-time record set by "Shooter" Rod Beck in the 1993 season.
With the Padres falling off the face of the Earth and losing their 10th straight game, the G Men are right on their heels now, only 1 game back. They are starting to get hot at the right time, and it looks like they just put 2 more bullets in their revolver for the stretch run in the names of Tim Lincecum and Jonathan Sanchez. Now all they have to do is see if they can take the saftey off the Zito gun.
Like Tim Lincecum, Sanchez uses a split-finger fastball as his change-up, and like Lincecum, it is the pitch that will make him an elite pitcher in this league. Since Sanchez has started utilizing his new weapon more the past 2 starts, he is 1-0, should have been 2-0, pitched 15 innings, allowed only 8 hits, while striking out 15, and walking only3, with a 0.60 era.
With the help of Juan Uribe, who hit a huge 2 run homerun for the second night in a row, and flawless performances by Sergio Romo and Brian Wilson, Sanchez won his 10th game of the season. That is his career high in wins.
Brian Wilson saved his league leading 40th game, 1 off his career high and 8 away from the Giants all-time record set by "Shooter" Rod Beck in the 1993 season.
With the Padres falling off the face of the Earth and losing their 10th straight game, the G Men are right on their heels now, only 1 game back. They are starting to get hot at the right time, and it looks like they just put 2 more bullets in their revolver for the stretch run in the names of Tim Lincecum and Jonathan Sanchez. Now all they have to do is see if they can take the saftey off the Zito gun.
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