First Place for a Day

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As reported in the SF Chronicle when we last wrote on the Giants that Bochy was thinking of changing his lineup and moving Pence and Pagan into #2 and #3 slots and dropping Panik to #7 in the batting order.    It seems that Bruce changed his mind and said the story was overblown.  Perhaps he read our blog that asked the simple question why.  Panik is a classic #2 hitter.  If he continues to impress he might end up being the #3 hitter in the lineup. If he played in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Denver, Arlington, Houston etc he would most likely hit close to 20 home runs during the season.  Currently he is on pace to hit 12 this year playing half his games in unfair AT&T Park.

In the Tuesday game against Pittsburgh the Giants had Duffy on second with two outs in the second inning with Panik at the plate.  Krukow the television analyst for CSBA could not believe they pitched around Panik walking him with Pence on deck.  All I can say is Wake up Krukow!  Pence grounded out.  Pence did have three hits in the game but failed to get an rbi.  Panik grounded out with the bases loaded in the eight inning with a chance to  give the Giants a lead.

The first goal for the Giants this year was to stay in contention the first eight weeks. Only two teams in the National League have more wins then the Giants and in fact the Giants moved into first place for one day in their division after beating the Braves in the first two games of the current home stand.  Will that be the last time they are in first place this season?  Starting pitching still has to be the major concern with many of the starters failing to go six innings.  This results in putting the pressure on the relievers which causes them to give up hits.   Hitting has been the  teams strong point to the surprise of many.  When the Giants started this home stand the averages of their eight starters were .322, .297, .298, .303, .299, .291, .310, and .301.  The real question is can they keep it up as averages tend to level off during the season.

The television media is mentioning a home run hitting contest between Duffy and Panik.  Hope it is not  true.  Trying to hit homeruns would ruin both of their swings. It might have already taken a toll on Duffy who since taking over the every day job at third base has seen his average drop about 23 points.

Most Surprising Stat:  Crawford with 182 at bats has 36 runs batted in while Pagan with 198 at bats many in #3 slot in the order has only 11.

Remember at the start of the season the battle for back up catcher between Sanchez and Sucac was very competitive.  Sanchez won the job and then was sent down to Sacramento.  Both players have been a big disappointment this year at the plate.

I keep hearing how great things will be when Peavy and Cain return.  Everyday we learn of their progress.  Both of them have done this before only to eventually receive setbacks.  If they do return how effective can they be?

The Giants proved last year that the best team does not always win the World Championships.  Its whose hot in the playoffs.  The Giants have a better chance then most teams to make the playoffs. The Dodgers are the only team that could run away in the west but they continually find ways to lose to keep the race interesting.  There are still four long months to go and it looks like there could be a number of surprises in all the major league races. The Texas Rangers who were predicted by many to clean up the basement in the Al West continue to move up the ladder.

Russ J our regular blog contributor from Texas reports that Josh Hamilton pinch hit a walk-off double to beat Boston in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. The crowd went wild and Josh's welcome 'home' is secure for awhile. The Panda had two errors.  He is doing almost as well in Boston as Josh did in Anaheim in the past few years.  Maybe some of those guys will figure out that going 'for the money' is not a guarantee for success.  Sandoval is currently hitting .244.

Wouldn't it be ironic if Sandoval followed in Hamilton shoes and eventually returned to the Giants.

Stupid Plays

Palanco the Pirates right fielder stole second base with two out.  Then the Giants pitcher threw a few pitches in the dirt walking McCutchen taking the bat out of the hand of the player who was killing the Giants with one hit after another.  Willie Mays understood that stealing a base with McCovey at the plate was often detrimental to McCovey  because the opposing first basemen could play off the base closing the gap between first and second base making it more difficult for McCovey to get a hit. Stealing a base is an important strategy in baseball but base stealing for the sake of stealing a base does not impress me.  

Aoki made two stupid plays on the base paths in the game Wednesday.  Pagan hit a line drive which doubled off Aoki.  If he knew were the shortstop was playing he would have hustled back into second to prevent the twin killing.  Earlier in the game with two on and two out he was caught stealing third base.  There was no  reason to steal.  The replay actually shows he might have been safe but it was either to close to change or the umpires thought he should be called out because it was stupid.      

The June Swoon

As I remember the Giants 'June Swoon' goes back to the days of Mays, Cepeda, McCovey et al.  It is not new.  Last year it started in the middle of June and lasted through most of July.  During that time the future world champions were the worst team in the majors.  It possibly started this year on May 30 when the Giants lost to the Braves.  Going into the  Philadelphia series the Giants have lost five straight. Playing the Phillies could prove to be a big break for the Giants since they will be facing a team with a poor record in a hitter's park.  It's a real opportunity to break lose.

The White House

On Thursday the Giants will be the guests at the White House of the President for the third time in five years.  I suggest next year if the Giants win again that they invite the President to AT&T Park to honor the champions.  Larry Bear could proudly show the President AT&T Park which I am sure he has heard about and perhaps is anxious to see. He usually makes at least two trips a month to California so it seems like a natural.

The Games are Shorter

Major league efforts to shorten the time of the games is working.  I have noticed many Giant games being played in the range of 2 hour 30 minute mark which is a big improvement.  The Angels announced that 35 of their 51 games have been played in less then 3 hours. When I was younger back in the middle of the last century many baseball games were played in less then 2 hours.

Attendance

Although there always seems to be vacant seats at AT&T the Giants consecutive sell outs continue.  I have lost count.  Attendance is down  in Anaheim.  In 2005 the Angels were averaging over 42,000 per game and now this year it is a little over 34,000 a game.  I remember when the Angles signed Pujols to a 10 year muti-million dollar contract the OC Register predicted  that even if prices go up the fans will be there.  Prices have gone up to keep the revenue even but attendance is lower.  For those not familiar with Angel Stadium it is located right at the 5 freeway from Los Angeles and San Diego, the 22 freeway from Long Beach and 57 freeway from Newport Beach and the Inland Empire cities.  Great location and easy access for millions.

The Belmont

This Saturday at 3:18 is the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes.  American Pharoah who is a heavy favorite will be racing to be the first triple crown winner since 1978 and I believe the 12th horse ever to accomplish the feat.  There are eight horses in the race with Frosted and Materiality being the main competition. I didn't have a chance to ask Sue one of the Blue Baggers from Irvine's North Lake who she has in the Belmont.  She picked American Pharoah to win the Derby.

Late News

Following the Giants game on Wednesday Krukow elaborated on how well  Panik is hitting and  playing.  Guess he finally woke up!

Josh Hamilton of the Rangers will be out four weeks with a strained left hamstring that he aggravated when he had the game winning double as a pinch hitter which we highlighted above.

The White House celebration went well with tremendous respect shown to the President of the United States.  I couldn't help but contrast in my own mind the disrespect shown Jesus Christ.  Giants took the train from Washington to Philadelphia following the ceremony.

Tim Lincecum missed the White House ceremony and flew direct to Philadelphia so he will be ready to pitch tomorrow.  I can't remember this strategy ever working.

Giants remember the very wet long days they recently spent playing the Rockies.  The rain continues and the Dodgers who just finished a series in Colorado had the same experience. Some want to blame Climate Change but it is really all the pot smoke hovering over the Rockies.

Warriors

Good luck to the Golden State Warriors in their championship series against Cleveland.