Giants vs Dodgers Series Preview

Giants vs Dodgers Series Preview

Okay, the opening series probably did not go the way we wanted it to go as fans. But its a new week and the Giants open up a three game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Some key take things to look at from the previous series. The pitching is good, the offense sucks and to many defensive errors. All in all I was hoping for a split but only loosing 3 out of 4 is not the worst thing in the world. Now on to the preview...

Game one: Drew Pomeranz vs Julio Urias

Both pitchers are making their season debuts. The Dodgers are the hotter team we all know what kind of offense they bring. They have already scored 15 runs in a game where as the Giants have only mustered a season high of two. The only thing to look forward to in this game is Pomeranz making his Giants debut. Other then that I imagine it will be another night of quiet bats and low scoring for the Giants.

Game two: Madison Bumgarner (0-1 2.57 ERA) vs Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-0 1.5 ERA)

With Bumgarner on the mound he gives the Giants the best chance to win, Ryu had the Giants number last season going 1-0 in three starts against the club. He gave up a total of 5 runs in those starts. But the Giants have their guy out there in Bumgarner. I like the Giants in this one.

Game three: Derek Holland (0-1 6.75 ERA) vs Ross Stripling (0-0 0.00 ERA)

Holland was bounced around in his first start in San Diego. It would be nice to see him bounce back against the rival to give the team some momentum in the game before the home opener. Ross Stripling did not surrender a run to the Diamondbacks in his first start, this one is a toss up.

It feels weird going into Dodger Stadium and there being no Puig, or Kershaw. Im not complaining but I feel like they added to the rivalry in so many ways. But hey, it is still Giants Dodgers. These teams do not like each other and never will. I would be hopeful for the Giants to get their first series win, but this is the two time defending NL champs. The division goes through Chavez Ravine. 

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Giants Vs Padres Series Preview

Giants Vs Padres Series Preview

Another Opening Day is upon us Giants Fans! Its 2019 and the season is about to begin. The Giants clearly go into this year with a lot of questions (who is playing left field). Anyway the Giants open 2019 on the road yet again, the Giants haven't hosted opening day since 2009 by the way. They open with a four game series in sunny San Diego where last year the Giants went 5-4 at Petco Park. They look to start the year off strong in what is going to be Bruce Bochy's last year at the helm. So here is to 2019, the most boring of offseasons in recent Giants history is over and these Games actually matter!

Game one: Madison Bumgarner vs Eric Lauer

Opening Day in San Diego, Mad Bum on the mound for maybe the final opening day in his Giants Career, Manny Machado making his Padre debut, I have even heard that Petco will be sold out? Will we see another magical opening day performance from Bumgarner like back in 2017? In all honesty I will be content with seven solid innings and enough run support to get the game to the bullpen. Giants take game one 4-2.

Game two: Derek Holland vs. Joey Lucchesi

Dutch Holland only went 6.0 or more innings 14 times last year which isn't terrible but I would like to see that number increase this year. In Games Holland started last year the Giants were a .500 team, he gives them a chance to win but I think the Padres win this one 5-2. Lucchesi builds off his decent 2018 campaign.

Game three: Dereck Rodriguez vs TBD

D-Rod makes his first start of the year after a surprise 2018 where he was one of the Giants biggest bright spots and most likely forced the trade of Chris Stratton. He struggled late in the year last season, but he will be out to prove that last year was not a fluke and he deserves to be here. The Padres have not announced a starter for this game. This one is a toss up, your guess is as good as mine.

Game four: Jeff Samardzija vs Chris Paddack

The Shark got roughed up in his last spring training outing against the A's, he faces Paddack who will be making his Major League debut, I will hopefully be able attend this game (work permitting). The Giants have already said that they will be cautious with Samardzija as he is coming off a season riddled with shoulder problems. Giants take the series finale by a score of 2-1, on get away day as they get ready to head up interstate 5 to Los Angeles.

I would hope for a series split, but I think that the Giants can take 3 of 4 here to start the year. The pitching is good, the defense is good enough to do well. The Giants have always played “Bochy ball” (solid defense and timely hitting) this team has the pieces to do that. Joe Panik has a had an incredible spring, the last few games Crawford showed impressive bat control going the opposite way. I like Duggar setting the table. This team might surprise people, in case you forgot this team was in the hunt for the division until they were swept in Cincinnati and the wheels fell off and the brass started to shut people down for the year. Maybe I’m just being an optimist but I believe in this team. So this year will be a surprise or I will be a drunk one or the other I’m okay with either outcome. HUMMMM BABY!

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2019, What to Expect From This Blog

2019, What to Expect From This Blog:

Hey Giants Fans, sorry I have been MIA from the blog recently okay that's a lie, this blog
has been dead for about four years now. However, sorry to announce that my older
brother; Scott has moved on to bigger and better things. It is now just me hopefully I can
do this consistently, while living up to the expectations that this blog was known for. I will
admit that advanced metrics really is not my strong suit and you can probably just count
on reading my opinions but I will give it my best effort. I am currently a transitioning Active
Duty United States Marine, I am currently stationed out in Yuma, Az. I will hopefully start
a new civilian career in July.

Okay, now some of my expectations for this blog this season, I would like to hopefully
push out a reasonable amount of content giving my opinion. To include series previews/
reviews, minor league player development, making people laugh with my in game
commentary/analysis on twitter. So buckle up Giants fans hopefully this year is more than
a Bruce Bochy farewell tour.

Getting To Know Aramis Garcia

The newest Giants Call-up will soon make his major league debut, as we adjust to life without Buster Posey.  The 25 Year old from Hawaii, has only spent 10 games with the River Cats,the Giants AAA Affiliate in those ten games he has posted a .237 BA .531 OPS. The big stat that pops out is the strike out percentage (29.3%) which if you look at his past seasons seems to be right about his career average. If you look at another Giants catching prospect in the farm system at AAA his K% is only 17.4% granted the average is about the same in the low .230’s. It also looks like Garcia does not hit for power only 11 Home Runs this year all of them at AA (Richmond), and If you look at the spread he is a 51.9% pull hitter which for a right handed guy at AT&T isn’t a bad thing necessarily.

I say let us see what the kid has got. It will probably be a few years before Joey Bart is major league ready. When Garcia is in the game defensively expect Bochy to have a lot influence on pitch calls. I would be content is he were to hit .200 and show signs that he can use the whole field.  

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