There are a lot of balls up in the air – injuries, trades and reactivations – and these losses are generally close games. But it was a drag to lose the last game in Colorado and the first two against Cleveland at home. Add the two losses in Chavez Ravine over the weekend, and the Giants have lost four in a row.
Casey Schmitt was forced to play third after Matt Chapman jammed his hand trying to get back to first on a pick-off play, and we all learned the meaning of WAR – wins against replacement. It was a hot mess that last game in Colorado – a game we ought to have won.
We took one of three from the Billionaire Bums, even without Chapman.
The two losses to Cleveland come with Chappy still off the field, and after having traded Harrison, Hicks and a couple of prospects for Rafael Devers. It’s all a lot to process. It will take time for this “new core” to gel. But there is no denying that the Giants front office expects Chapman, Adames, Lee and Devers to be opportunistic and clutch hitters for at least the next two years.
Even before the stunning Devers trade, Posey, Minasian and the front office made moves to address run production, designating LaMonte Wade Jr. for assignment, and picking up Dominic Smith who opted-out of his contract with the Yankees.
Smith has been immediately productive, an instant upgrade. The excellent John Shea writes that.Smith has always admired and held great respect for Barry Lamar Bonds, whom he now considers a mentor.
The team also reactivated Jerar Encarnacion and gave opportunities to Vallejo-native Daniel Johnson – now optioned to AAA Sacramento .
Devers was 2-for-5 and ripped an RBI double in his first game as a Giant, but the Giants lost 3 – 2. Tonight Devers was hitless in three ABs and the Giants lost 4 – 2.
They were put in the four-rum hole by Justin Verlander who returned to the mound only to look utterly hittable. He again served up a 94mph meatball that got clobbered.
Which I have seen him do numerous times this season. He’s a 42-year-old with a diminishing skill set desperately seeking command of other pitches because the four-seam heat is no longer feared.
We’re paying him 15 million to work this out, live, in real games that matter, on our main stage, instead of giving his starts to Hayden Birdsong.
The bullpen once again kept us in it. The greatest stars of our team right now are the league- leading lowest ERA bullpen that can’t find a closer.
The Giants were 0 – 6 with runners in scoring position tonight. Last night they were 1 – 13.
I am sure no one has the balls to tell Pat Burrell he’s currently USELESS as a hitting coach, but the statistics say it loud and clear.
I will be at the yard tomorrow.
Go Giants!
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