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This is not the expected June Swoon - but it is Torture
The Giants are 40 and 29, one game behind whoever that team is from Southern California (who they start playing on Friday, when we will see Kershaw once again – the next three days will be very interesting, to say the least).
You can’t make this stuff up.
Six one-run wins in a row (7 in a row total) followed by a close loss today in the Himalayas. The most comeback wins in Major League Baseball so far this year. 17 wins after being down by multiple runs (something only 2 other teams have done since 1901). The question now, before the all-star break anyway, is what other kind of records can the G-men generate? Most steals? Fitzgerald and Jung Hoo Lee are among the top base thieves in the NL. Most starting players on the Disabled List? (Right now, that is Chapman and Bailey, two of the most productive Giants through April and May). Most productive call-ups from Triple-A? Looking at you, Daniel Johnson. Best use of Casey Schmitt at 3rd base (I love him, even if he booted a ball today – he plays all out all the time). Best early-season trade? Dom Smith?
However, Good-Bye to Late Night Lamont (to the Angels, where the trade likely will not come back to bite us). It’s hard to argue with the record or with the attitude of the Buster Ball Giants. This is fun to watch, it just keeps getting better and nail-biting Torture continues game after game.
It seems there is a twist to the story every day, so stay tuned for next week’s developments.
Hitting remains an Issue, but the Pitching is Awesome
The last blog mentioned the Giants’ inability to get hits and score runs. Still true (although there was a minor breakout in Colorado, where hits come with abandon). However, pitching is pulling them though, even with Camilo melting down now and then, Ryan Walker being shifted around, starters coming up and going down and the bullpen being stressed. It is not news that Logan Webb looks like the second coming of Grover Cleveland Alexander (remember him?). But the real story is Robby Ray. He’s tied for 1st in the NL league for wins and (seemingly) for all statistics (including most laconic post-game interviews). It’s hard to tell who is holding up the pitching staff because it seems there is a new hero every day. These guys are fun to watch.
Thank you, Buster, for all that you do, and for Buster Ball.
The Upcoming series – Guardians, Red Sox and Marlins
This upcoming 9 game homestand features three teams that badly want to beat the Giants.
The Guardians (the old Tribe) are 35 and 32 (winning record) but 8 games behind the Tigers (who swept the G-Men last month). Their stars are Jose Rameriz and Steven Kwan (late of the Padres). They are hungry and want nothing better than to climb the standings at the expense of the Giants. Never underestimate Ohio.
The Red Sox (34 and 36), battling the Yankees in their traditional AL East turf war, are 4th in their division and come into town with a chip on their shoulder. We seldom get much action in town from the east coast so this will be a test of old-fashioned SF hospitality.
We have already seen the Marlins (25 and 41 and in 4th place in the NL east) this year when the G-Men took a series in Miami 2 to 1 (the G-Men may have won the match game only because Camilo’s mother was visiting from the Dominican Republic and pumped him up). The Fish want revenge. These games will be hard fought.
On the Board ready for pick up are:
TUES 6/17 [6:45] Guardians (4)
WED 6/18 [6:45] Guardians (4)
THUR 6/19 [1:05] Guardians (3) – I’m going
SAT 6/21 [1:05] Red Sox [4] = Camo Hat night
SUN 6/22 [1:05] Red Sox [3] – I’m going - Jung Hoo Lee Jersey
TUES 6/24 [6:45] Marlins [4]
WED 6/25 [6:45] Marlins [3] – I’m going
THURS 6/26 [12:45] Marlins [4]
Let the torture continue.
Ciao, and GO GIANTS!
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THE PROTOCOL: The firm has four seats in Section 118 (Premium Lower Boxes), Rows 25 and 26. These are awesome seats directly below the press box and 25 rows behind the home plate on the left side behind the screen. It is foul ball territory for left-handed batters so bring your glove – I have collected 22 foul balls myself over 23 years and am looking for more. If we don’t use all the tickets ourselves (or clients and friends of the firm don't claim them by calling me and reserving a game), then my next step is to give the tickets TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO GETS BACK TO ME PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE SERIOUS. If you ask for the tickets and don't use them, you will be taken off the list unless there is a seriously good reason. There will be a waitlist.
When there are four seats available (we split up a lot of games) we will allocate the tickets two and two if the first people back just want two tickets. You can also go for four and might get them. I'm the Czar, my call.
Oh, and BTW, The Czar found the original Hinman & Carmichael brick from 2000 (after looking for it every year since 2000) and found H&C’s Gotham Club Founders Bat! If you are on the patio, or in the Club, look for the symbols of baseball!
