Game Thread #4: Giants (1-2) at Brewers (2-1)

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 12:31 PM CDT in Game Threads

It's the home opener, and Carlos Villanueva gets the ball. Pitching for the Giants is Jonathan Sanchez, who has a 7.27 ERA in 8 career starts. (He's young though--I'm not throwing those numbers out there to suggest he's the second coming of Wayne Franklin.)

For those of you who want the pennant race to start now, you might be interested to know that the Cubs are hosting the Astros, sending Rich Hill to the mound against a bunch of guys who should probably be playing at Round Rock. We're not the only NL Central contender with an easy (on paper, anyway) matchup this weekend.

Before the game, during the game, after the game, whatever, make sure to check out everything on the site: in the last 24 hours alone, we've got my arguments in favor of Ned, five questions with a Giants blogger, the first Minor League Notes of the year, and of course, this morning's Frosty Mug. Drink up, but please, drink responsibly.

(Oh hell, it's the home opener. Who's going to drink responsibly?)

Go Brewers!

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Tom H on Gwynn's injury

it doesn't look too good:

Oh, and by the way, the news doesn't sound that great on Tony Gwynn's ailing hamstring. He told us he wouldn't be able to play today even if a right-hander was pitching for the Giants, and said he wouldn't be available tomorrow, either, unless he has marked improvement.

You have to wonder if this might turn into a DL situation.

Laynce...get yer jockstrap packed and be ready to go!

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 12:35 PM CDT 0 recs

If Gwynn goes to the DL

Would your prefer them to call up Nix or try trading for a Center Fielder/4 OF?

by drezdn on Apr 4, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm guessing it wouldn't matter

I don't think they'd make a trade, because Kapler is here, and both Gross and Hart can play center, if not well. (Actually, we have another CF on the roster in Bill Hall, but that's not going to happen.)

Given that we only have 22 games to go before getting Cameron back, a waiver claim / PTBNL sort of trade is all that would make any sense. And I'm not sure you could get a guy better than Nix.

But really, I don't think it matters. We're just fine with a 23 or 24-man roster, given the versatility on the bench. It appears that Dillon and Gross are just pinch-hitters, and we've got backups covered without them.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Easy

1. Move Corey Hart to center.
2. Sign Barry Bonds to play right for a few weeks. What else does he have to do?

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Apr 4, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

hahaha

brilliant! I can't believe I didn't think of that myself.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Actually he has a couple of appointments

with the UPS guy back at the house. Doesn't want to miss those deliveries!

The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!

by 80badger on Apr 4, 2008 12:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm willing to bet

he sign Roger Clemens' name anyway.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Apr 4, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

If we did that

I'm sure he could fit into Mench's old caps.

by drezdn on Apr 4, 2008 1:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

I really don't like Gross

But that's the obvious answer here.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 4, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think

Kapler is somehow responsible for this injury.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Apr 4, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

that's why he's been so quiet in the clubhouse

he's been plotting.

I wonder if anything untoward happened to the hitting coach where he was managing last year.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 12:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

The first time

we get Yosted!, I'm calling for Kapler to take over the reins.

Between Kapler and Simmons, Ned had better watch his back.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Apr 4, 2008 12:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe

Melvin brought Kapler on board just to put his locker next to Prince's.

by drezdn on Apr 4, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Move Corey

Put Hart in Center and move him up in the order.

The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!

by 80badger on Apr 4, 2008 12:46 PM CDT 0 recs

If the timing were slightly better...

I bet we'd be looking at Gwynn going on the DL when Gallardo was activated, with Bush or Parra sliding to the pen as an extra arm. I think Ned is happy with Kapler/Gross as the extra OFers.

"He just needs to eat some bananas." - Lou Piniella

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Apr 4, 2008 12:48 PM CDT 0 recs

Short of being there

Dual wide screens work pretty well at work. Pretend work spreadsheet on one screen and a split of BCB and Gameday on the other. Just hope the boss doesn't realize he bought me that second widescreen for baseball!! ;-o

Yesterday was almost overload with WGN on the tube on the back credenza!

The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!

by 80badger on Apr 4, 2008 12:50 PM CDT 0 recs

Yeesh

St. Louis and Pittsburgh are tied for first in our division.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Apr 4, 2008 12:51 PM CDT 0 recs

The Pirates don't get to play us for a while

so their winning days are over.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

And that is after

Playing pretty good teams in Colorado and Atlanta.

by Saltire on Apr 4, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Did Gagne just swear at the camera?

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Apr 4, 2008 12:53 PM CDT 0 recs

Mon Dieu!

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Apr 4, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

Awesome!

Kapler was just introduced as Gabe Kaplan.

Welcome back, Kotter.

by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 4, 2008 12:55 PM CDT 1 recs

So who is Horshack?

Counsell???

The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!

by 80badger on Apr 4, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

that was the galblam

funniest post of the 500 plus- including badgers horshack/counsell comment- it was fun to read in archive on the west coast! Thanks everyone!

"Just the kiss of the Hops"

by Gus Lezcano on Apr 5, 2008 3:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

JJ Hardy

Wasn't Hardy supposed to be in the 2 spot against lefties?

by drezdn on Apr 4, 2008 12:55 PM CDT 0 recs

Giants' lineup

D. Roberts lf
E. Velez 2b
R. Winn rf
B. Molina c
A. Rowand cf
J. Castillo 3b
R. Aurilia 1b
B. Bocock ss
J. Sanchez p

That's, uh, bad.

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Apr 4, 2008 1:02 PM CDT 0 recs

waves from the Giants board

...We know...

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Apr 4, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up 1 recs

Explain Bocock

Career minor league stats

The highest he got was High-A last year, where he hit a scalding .220/.293/.328. No, that is not a misprint. How the hell did this guy get a Major League job?

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Apr 4, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Omar Vizquel

The only guys standing between him and a big league spot were Kevin Frandsen (out for 2008) and Omar Vizquel, who is also hurt.

by KLSnow on Apr 4, 2008 1:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Giants Org

Don't they have some decent pitching prospects they could trade for at least a 4A type SS?

by drezdn on Apr 4, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

You'd think a guy like Nunez

would end up there.

by ol Pete on Apr 4, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe

There are some things event the Giants aren't willing to do.

by drezdn on Apr 4, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

haha

well, at least with abraham nunez, you can always pretend it's the *other* abraham nunez.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yea..

But it's only a couple of weeks. Once Vizquel gets back Bocock will go down to the minors and Jose Castillo will be his backup.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Apr 4, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

right

and it isn't like these couple of weeks are going to make or break the giants playoff chances.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's what I meant

I know about Frandsen, but it seems ridiculous that the Giants couldn't put a trade together for someone who isn't a complete embarrassment. I mean, I thought it was bad when the Brewers had to use Chris Barnwell as a bench player a few years ago, and Bocock is much worse.

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Apr 4, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

Why?

Why trade someone who could be good in the future when the Giants are good for someone who will play short for a couple weeks and then sit on the bench then leave after a few years? Just doesn't make sense for the Giants position.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Apr 4, 2008 1:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

It's not unsound strategy

I'm just surprised Sabean was willing to do it. I mean, Bocock as a starting Major Leaguer is a complete joke, and you guys seem to have taken the Pirates' strategy in the past of signing guys who will help you be not entirely embarrassing. The Randy Winns and Reggie Sanders of the world.

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Apr 4, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Kevin Frandsen..

Not even an option. Last year he filled in a bit at SS and was terrible. This spring he was tried at short a bit but after 4 or 5 games was told, "you aren't playing short anymore."

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Apr 4, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

Other guys who made appearances in ST at short were Ivan Ochoa and Justin Leone (AAA fodder for the last couple of seasons) and Manny Burriss, who has a better future with the team than Bocock. Burriss plays a bit of second base too, so in theory he would be the better fit to fill in at MI.

Still, the team likes Bocock's defense and wanted Burriss at AAA, so whatever.

I introduced myself on the 5 Q with Grant thread. So hi. :)

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Apr 4, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Vizquel is down for a few weeks..

And apparently Ivan Ochoa was never in the Giants eyes for some reason after a breakout .296/.337/.430 season in AAA. Granted he's never hit anything NEAR that in the minors, but still it was in AAA. The Giants basically had to choose between Bocock and Burris. Bocock was in Low-A and hit ok, and was in High-A and hit poorly. Burris was in High-A and hit poorly and was in Low-A and hit ok. I think after that it was just potential. Burris has the potential to become an above average leadoff hitter. Bocock has the potential to become a bench guy with great defense at 2B, 3B, and SS. That's about it, his hitting is really terrible.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Apr 4, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

OBP / SLG for those 9 spots, per ZiPS

339 / 372
315 / 398
338 / 429
300 / 403
340 / 429
307 / 382
314 / 398
248 / 268
125 / 150

( I made up the last one based on eyeballing 07 giants pitcher stats)

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

So is that the worst clean up hitter this century?

If not Molina must be close.

Visit my baseball blog ...or else!

by dixieflatline on Apr 4, 2008 1:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

that sounds like a job for thejay!

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wow.

"He just needs to eat some bananas." - Lou Piniella

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Apr 4, 2008 1:12 PM CDT 0 recs

Bengie Molina needs to eat some fiber

He's moving pretty slowly.

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Apr 4, 2008 1:16 PM CDT 0 recs

would he beat Estrada

In a race to 1st base?

by Saltire on Apr 4, 2008 1:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

I honestly don't think so

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Apr 4, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sounds like a good idea for a skills competition at the allstar break...

Estrada v. Molina in a race to first.

"He just needs to eat some bananas." - Lou Piniella

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Apr 4, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

we'll never find out

no one has the patience to wait long enough to see who would win.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

I've just turned on MLB.TV Premium 1.2 for the first time

It's awesome. No bumps or breaks of the regular quality. I highly recommend it.

by Hyatt on Apr 4, 2008 1:18 PM CDT 0 recs

ooh, and it worked!

that already sounds better than what I got yesterday.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

alright, lineup analysis complete

today's Giants lineup is projected to score 3.55 runs. Probably a little more, because the lineup analysis doesn't take into account pinch hitters.

That's 575 runs over the course of the season, which is almost 100 worse than the worst offense in the NL last year.

And for what it's worth, they could get an extra 0.12 runs or so if they switched the lineup to:
Roberts
Rowand
Velez
Aurilia
Winn
Molina
Castillo
Pitcher
Bocock

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 4, 2008 1:20 PM CDT 0 recs

with the Giants lineup and facing two lefthanders...

I am going to be a bit disappointed if we don't sweep this series. I know sweeping is hard but man everything is setting up perfectly this series.

Visit my baseball blog ...or else!

by dixieflatline on Apr 4, 2008 1:20 PM CDT 0 recs

That's what I was thinking

I was going to post it but figured I'd get lectured. You are a braver man than me.

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Apr 4, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

or a dumber....

Visit my baseball blog ...or else!

by dixieflatline on Apr 4, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

and a bigger jinx

thanks dixie.

by Hyatt on Apr 4, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sanchez

I was just thinking, he doesn't look like he has a good move to first for a lefty.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Apr 4, 2008 1:22 PM CDT 0 recs