[OOTP21 – Life begins without Bruce – a San Francisco Giants Dynasty]

[assamarra]

Monday 23rd March 2020

Been a couple of years since I have played the game as solo as I have been immersed in the online league gaming side of OOTP.

The idea will be to run the save as GM only, and to advance daily keeping time with the real life calendar, this will be a slow burner folks!

I would be looking to update the dynasty thread at the end of each series played with a review of the games played and a preview of the next series to be played along with minor league reports on the Giants farm system.

Over the next couple of days before opening day (what better way to start the season, a trip to arch-rivals the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine) I will delve into the Giants organisation from what the owner expects in owner goals to projected rosters and prospects that I will be keeping an eye on during the season.

I have made a couple of changes in the setup of the league:-

1. playing in challenge mode
2. ratings set to 20-80 scale
3. overall/potential ratings set to 20-80 scale
4. no evolution unless changes made by MLB in real life

[assamarra]

Monday 23rd March 2020

Starting to look at the organisation, its’ expectations for this and future seasons.

Owner Goals

61 year old Laurence Baer is a San Francisco native born in early 1958. With understanding patience (he may need it as it has been 4 seasons since a winning record and a play off appearance)

1. he is not looking to ‘not suck completely’ in 2020
2. re-sign OF Hunter Pence for the 2021 season
3. look to build a play-off team by 2026

After winning 64 (2017), 73 (2018) & 77 (2019) games I would be looking for another improvement in that win column.

Pence is the eldest on the Giants active roster, but is very popular within the Bay Area and well known nationally, I can see the owners view on re-signing him to keep the fans loyalty (which currently stands at 73), will reserve judgement on that one.

Play-off by 2026, I did say this was going to be a slow burner!

[assamarra]

Tuesday 24th March 2020

Today we look at the opening day roster.

Starting Rotation (2019 season stats in parentheses)

RHP Kevin Gausman (3-7, 6.19 ERA with the Braves)
RHP Johnny Cueto (1-2, 5.06 ERA)
RHPJeff Samardzija (11-12, 3.52 ERA)
RHP Andrew Triggs (0-0, 6.75 ERA with the Las Vegas Aviators (AAA/Oakland)
LHP Drew Smyly (4-7, 6.24 ERA combined with Rangers and Phillies)

Bullpen (2019 season stats in parentheses)

RHP Dany Jimenz (7-3 at minor league levels in 2019)
RHP Trevor Cahill (4-9, 5.98 ERA with Angels)
RHP Trevor Gott (0-1, 4.44 ERA)
RHP Nick Vincent (1-4, 4.43 with Phillies and Giants)
RHP Tyler Rogers (0-0, 1.02 ERA)
LHP Tony Watson (2-0, 4.17 ERA)
LHP Sam Selman (0-0, 4.35 ERA)
RHP Logan Webb (2-3, 5.22 ERA)

This looks a motley crew!

Ranked 21st as a rotation, 16th as a bullpen, the saving grace is Webb is ranked at 2nd in positional rankings.

Optimistically I would hope for some bounce back years from the likes of Gausman, Cueto is coming off a season which was cut short in his 4th start of the season, Samardzija will be playing for a new contract next season while Triggs and Smyly would look to get better and get that ERA down to around the 4 mark (hopefully!)

The bullpen is anchored by closer Webb, Cahill will be the long man. The worry is that this bullpen will get loaded up with innings early in the season if the starters cannot get into the 6th inning (or further).

Lineup (2019 season stats in parentheses)

C/SH Tyler Heineman (.273/.273/.636 with the Marlins)
C/RH Buster Posey (.257/.320/.368)
1B/LH Brandon Belt (.234/.339/.403)
2B/RH Wilmer Flores (.317/.361.487 with the Diamondbacks)
2B/RH Donovan Solano (.330/.360/.456)
3B/RH Evan Longoria (.254/.325/.437)
3B/SH Pablo Sandoval (.268/.313/.507)
SS/LH Brandon Crawford (.228/.304/.350)
LF/RH Hunter Pence (.297/.358/.552 with the Rangers)
LF/RH Austin Slater (.238/.333/.417)
CF/LH Steven Duggar (.234/.278/.341)
CF/SH Billy Hamilton (.218/.289/.275 with the Royals and Braves)
RF/LH Mike Yastrzemski (.272/.334/.518)

Again looking at the positional rankings no position stands out, only catcher and centre field rate as average.

With 77 wins last season, my initial thought of improving may have been slightly off!

Next up a review of the farm system before Opening Day on Thursday.

[assamarra]

Wednesday 25th March 2020

Giants have 9 minor league teams, including two teams in the AZL and DSL, today we look at the top prospects in the Giants farm system and their projected ETA to make the majors and projections.

1. Joey Bart - (Catcher)

Heir apparent to Posey’s catching spot. ETA in the majors in 2021, which will be Posey last year of his guaranteed contract (team option of $22m for 2022).

Bart currently at AA Richmond where last season he hit .316/.368/.544 after been promoted from Single A San Jose. A good defensive catcher, projected offensively not to be in Posey’s class, but a good replacement for Buster when his time comes to an end as a Giant.

Currently ranked 13th top prospect in the game.

2. Marco Luciano (Right Field)

Only 18 and struggled in a short spell at Salem-Keizer last season so is back in the DSL to start the season. Potentially above average contact and raw power with a nice arm to play RF. Will be hoping to build on his rookie level performances of last season where he hit .322/.438/.616. Expected to make the majors in 2022.

Currently ranked 47th top prospect in the game.

3. Heliot Ramos (Right Field)

Ramos is a little more developed than Luciano and had a stint at Richmond (AA) last season but will start the season in San Jose. Strikeouts maybe a problem as he moves up the levels, a slightly better RF than Luciano and with an expected ETA in the majors in 2021.

Currently ranked 59th top prospect in the game.

4. Sean Hjelle (RH Starting Pitcher)

Struggled in AA Richmond in five starts after playing well in San Jose warranting the promotion. Will start the season surprisingly at AAA Sacramento. Velo sits at 91-93, more of a contact guy than a strikeout guy with above average Fastball and Knuckle Curve alongside an average cutter and Changeup (which is his worst pitch out of the 4). ETA to the majors is 2020! if he has a good start to the season we may see a call up if Smyly or Triggs struggle.

Currently ranked 90th top prospect in the game.

5. Seth Corry (LH Starting Pitcher)

Still in Augusta after a successful season in 2019 going 9-3 with a 1.76 ERA in 26 starts. Has three great pitches (Fastball, Curve and Changeup) but issues with his control could mean he throws from the bullpen if he makes the major league roster. High strikeout rate last season would need to be repeated to make the jump to AA Richmond, ETA to the majors 2022.

Currently ranked 128th top prospect in the game.

[assamarra]

Thursday 26th March 2020

The annual ritual of OOTP pre season predictions landed for opening day with the usual pomp and circumstance





In the AL we could have two new division winners with the usual suspects bringing up the rear as the rebuilds continue in Baltimore and Detroit.

In the NL we could see Washington having to go through the wild card to defend their title while the Cardinals and Reds will fight it out until the last series in the Central. One horse race in the NL West with the Giants predicted to finish 38 games back

Gonna be a long season, stick with us Giants fans!!

[assamarra]

Thursday 26th March 2020

The trade telephones have been busy before opening day, two trades were process today and we received an offer from our west coast neighbours…….

So the Marlins move Catcher Francisco Cervelli for Rockies relievers Scott Oberg and minor league P.J. Poulin. Cervelli hasn’t been in Miami that long after signing a FA deal on September 1st last year. He split time with Pittsburgh and Atlanta last year.
Oberg has posted good numbers over the last two season with Colorado, has a nice sinker and slider in his arsenal. Poulin who is 23 is still develop into a higher level minor leaguer and the potential to close.

Looking at this trade before a ball is thrown or a bat is swung, I think Miami won this one.

The World Champions and one of the worst teams in Baseball last season make a deal. Neighbours Washington and Baltimore secure a trade that see 2019 playoff hero Howie Kendrick and $3.17m move to the Orioles and in return Washington receive 1B Renlto Nunez and minor leaguer SS Adam Hall.
Hall becomes the Nationals top prospect at shortstop while Nunez slots in behind Eric Thames and Ryan Zimmermann in the depth chart at 1B.

Nationals definitely looking for the future with this trade, Hall slots in as their 7th overall prospect while Nunez will take over Zimmermann and challenge Thames for the 1B spot next season.

The Giants receive a trade offer from the Mariners, seems like Jerry can’t help himself and needs his trade talk fix :-)

Seattle offer :- LF Jhonny Santos (A+/Modesto)
San Francisco send :- CF Joey Rickard (AAA/Sacremento)

I think this is a non-starter, Rickard had a spell with Baltimore and us last season at the major league level and could be of value when injuries happen. He is a better fielder Santos and Santos’ potential does not reach Rickard’s current scout prediction.

[assamarra]

Thursday 26th March 2020

Series 1: Los Angeles Dodgers (0-0) v San Francisco Giants (0-0)

Probable Pitching:-

Thursday 26/03/2020 – Game 1: (RH) Walker Buehler v (RH) Kevin Gausman
Friday 27/03/2020 – Game 2: (LH) Clayton Kershaw v (RH) Johnny Cueto
Saturday 28/03/2020 – Game 3: (LH) David Price v (RH) Jeff Samardzija

The scheduling gods have a mean streak, on the road to our arch rivals and the only team predicted to win 100+ games this season. We lose each pitching match-up on paper with the Dodgers sending out three studs to the mound.

[assamarra]

Thursday 26th March 2020

Game 1: San Francisco Giants 5 Los Angeles Dodgers 1
(WP: Gausman 1-0) (LP: Buehler (0-1)
Attendance: 54,761
Time: 3:17

Brandon Belt had a big opening day for the Giants going 3 for 5 driving in 2 RBI including a 9th inning home run off Caleb Ferguson as the Giants win on opening day in LA.

Kevin Gausman went toe to toe with Walker Buehler who struck out 10 Giants in 5 innings but gave you three runs and took the loss. Gausman went 5.2 innings allowing three hits and one run while striking out 5 and walking 2.

The Dodgers faithful were stunned in the top of the third when of all people Billy Hamilton launched a 2-0 Buehler pitch into the left field bleachers.

Buehler was gone in the top of the sixth and Kelly duly gave up two runs (inherited men on base) as Brandon Crawford drove home Belt and Yaz with a single. Muncy gave LA hope in the bottom of the 6th but the Giants bullpen shut down any chance of a comeback before Belt’s home run in the ninth put the result beyond doubt.

League News:

Rockies Trevor Story injured running the bases against the Padres, out for 5-6 weeks.
Angels Shohei Otani injured after throwing just 14 pitches in his start against Astros.

Who owned Baseball today:

#1 SP Gerritt Cole (NYY) 8.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, W against Orioles (5-0 win)
#2 3B Eric Sogard (MIL) 4 for 4, 2B, HR, 2RBI, 2 R, BB against the Cubs (15-0 win!!!!!)
#3 SP Max Schrezer (WAS) 8.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 11 K, W against the Mets (4-2 win)

So I know it is only game 1, but was pleased with the outing of Gausman and the bullpen who supported a strong outing from our starter. The bats delivered and waited out the strikeouts from Buehler and got the hits in hitter counts.

[assamarra]

Friday 27th March 2020

Game 2: San Francisco Giants 9 Los Angeles Dodgers 10
(WP: Jansen 1-0) (LP: Webb 0-1)
Attendance: 46,934
Time: 3:56

The Giants came back from a horrible first inning that saw starter Johnny Cueto register only two outs but give up five runs with 2 hits and 3 walks. The Giants were 5-2, 8-4 and 9-4 down going into the ninth where pitch hitter Brandon Belt hit a grand slam down the right field line off one of the best closers in the league Kenley Jenson.

The Dodgers were not to be denied though as in the bottom of the ninth Matt Muncy drove in Enrique Hernandez from second base to win the game for the Dodgers in dramatic fashion and break the Giants hearts after a brave comeback.

League News:

Yankees Aaron Judge’s rib injury is going to keep him out for another 2-3 weeks.
Big sigh of relief from the Angels, Shohei Ohtani is out for around 2 weeks with bicep tendinitis.

Who owned Baseball today:

#1 1B Albert Pujols (LAA) 2 for 3, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB against Astros (13-9 win)
#2 LF Joc Pederson (LAD) 2 for 2, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB against the Giants (10-9 win)
#3 SP Yusei Kikuchi (SEA) 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, W against the Rangers (2-1 win)

Cueto (and Cahill) really put is in a spot but the team kept grinding and kudos to Belt for the clutch hit against one of the best closers in the business at the moment. Downside we lost Logan Webb (DtD for five games) after he gave up the single to Hernandez.

[assamarra]

Saturday 28th March 2020

Game 3: San Francisco Giants 3 Los Angeles Dodgers 7
(WP: Price 1-0) (LP: Samardzija 0-1) (SV: Jansen 1)
Attendance: 49,776
Time: 3:20

David Price pitched his team to victory over the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. The final score was 7-3. Price picked up the win for Los Angeles, going 6 innings. He gave up 2 runs on 7 hits. Giants starter Samardzija started well enough but come unstuck in innings 3 and 4 allowed home runs to Lux and Bellinger and left the game with the Dodgers leading 4-1. The Giants bullpen could not keep their team in it today allowing another three runs in the late innings. Dodgers Stadium has been a launch pad to start the season, six dingers hit today, and twelve over the three game series

League News:

The Pirates Chris Archers’ season is over after 54 pitches after suffering an opening day injury against Tampa Bay

Who owned Baseball today:

#1 LF JD Martinez (BOS) 4 for 6, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI 2 R, BB against Blue Jays (8-7 win)
#2 Noah Syndergaard (NYM) 7.1 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 12 K against the Nationals (3-0 win)
#3 1B Ryan McBroom (KC) 3 for 5, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R against the White Sox (16-2 win)

Well I would have taken one win out of three in this series against a dominant Dodgers nine. Pitching was so-so, Hamilton has gotten off to a nice start to the season hitting as has Flores and Belt. Day off Sunday to travel south to Arizona for a three game series and a re-union with Madison Bumgarner.

[assamarra]

Sunday 29th March 2020

No Game

Sunday is a day of rest for the Giants at least, a shortened number of games on the slate today and SF are preparing for another three game road series as the Arizona Diamondbacks entertain us.

The pitching matchup of the series is on Wednesday, former Giants ace Madison Bumgarner against the Giants new number 1 Kevin Gausman

Series 2: Arizona Diamondbacks (3-1) v San Francisco Giants (1-2)

Probable Pitching:-

Monday 29/03/2020 – Game 1: (RH) Mike Leake v (RH) Andrew Triggs
Tuesday 30/03/2020 – Game 2: (LH) Robbie Ray v (LH) Drew Smyly
Wednesday 31/03/2020 – Game 3: (LH) Madison Bumgarner (0-1, 19.29 ERA v (RH) Kevin Gausman (1-0, 1.59 ERA)

League News:

After the first week of Baseball the standings…..





Who owned Baseball today:

#1 1B Joey Gallo (TEX) 2 for 2, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB against Mariners (11-2 win)
#2 SP Daniel Norris (DET) 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, W against the Indians (3-0 win)
#3 LF Willie Calhoun (KC) 2 for 3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, BB against the Mariners (11-2 win)

[assamarra]

Monday 31st March 2020

Game 4: San Francisco Giants 8 Arizona Diamondbacks 4
(WP: Triggs 1-0) (LP: Leake 0-1)
Attendance: 24,104
Time: 3:29

Donovan Solano and Mike Yastrzemski both homered (Yastrzemski twice) off Arizona starter Mike Leake in the first two innings and the Giants scored seven off the Diamondbacks’ starter. Giants starter Andrew Triggs lasted six innings, the longest start of a Giants’ starter so far this season and with a 7-4 lead. The Giants’ bullpen shutdown the Arizona bats allowing only 2 hits, but 4 walks in the final 3 innings.

Yastrzemski went 3 for 4 driving in 5 and scoring 2 runs. Triggs went 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 3 walks and striking out 2.


Who owned Baseball today:

#1 RF Mike Yastrzemski (SF) 3 for 4, 2 HR, 5 RBI 2 R, BB against Diamondbacks (8-4 win)
#2 3B Kyle Seager (SEA) 2 for 5, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2 R against the Twins (7-3 win)
#3 CF Austin Hays (BAL) 4 for 4, HR, 2 R against the Red Sox (7-6 win)

[assamarra]

Tuesday 31st March 2020

Game 5: San Francisco Giants 1 Arizona Diamondbacks 5
(WP: Ray 1-0) (LP: Smyly 0-1)
Attendance: 23,386
Time: 3:08

Robbie Ray dominated the Giants in his second start of the season throwing 7 innings of 2 hit ball, striking out 7, walking 3 and allowing just one run.
The game was put beyond doubt in the 6th when 1B Kevin Cron hit a two run homer off Giants’ starter Drew Smyly to make the score 4-1 after Buster Posey drove in his first run of the season in the top of the third to tie the game up at 1-1.
Smyly for his part pitched well in his first start striking out 6 in 5 innings but he took the loss and the Giants bullpen imploded somewhat allowing 6 hits and 3 runs in their 3 innings of work

League News:

A day of signings and injuries……..

• SP Danny Salzar signs with the Red Sox ($2.24m/1y)
• SP Jed Bradley signs with the Blue Jays ($700k/1y)
• SP Brad Peacock (HOU) on 15 day IL (Oblique Strain)
• SP Matt Shoemaker (TOR) on 15 day IL (Herniated Disc, out for 4 weeks)
• LF Kyle Schwarber (CHC) on 15 day IL ( Oblique Strain, out for 8 weeks)
• 2B Cavan Biggio (TOR) on 60 day IL (Broken bone in elbow, out for 6 months!!!!)

Who owned Baseball today:

#1 RF Ronals Acuna Jr (ATL) 2 for 2, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB against Padres (3-6 loss)
#2 2B Brandon Lowe (TB) 3 for 4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R against the Yankees (8-4 win)
#3 SP Luiz Gohara (LAA) 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, W against the Rangers (2-0 win)

Need a strong (and long) start out of Gausman tomorrow, bullpen is gassed and needs the day off Thursday before the home opener against the Dodgers. Logan Webb is day to day but has been drafted back into action for the game tomorrow.

Bad news for the Blue Jays, Biggo out for 6 months!

[assamarra]

Wednesday 1st April 2020

Game 6: San Francisco Giants 2 Arizona Diamondbacks 5
(WP: Bumgarner 1-1) (LP: Gausman 1-1) (SV: Bradley 2)
Attendance: 21,868
Time: 3:02

In his first game against his former employer Madison Bumgarner threw 7 innings of 4 hit ball, striking out 4 and allowing 1 run and even batted in a run as the Diamondbacks improve to 5-2 after winning by the same scoreline to take the series 2-1.
Giants starter Kevin Gausman again threw a good game lasting 6 innings, striking out 6 and allowing just two runs and drove in one of the Giants runs. But RP Tony Watson gave up three runs including a Peralta home run in the 8th and that sealed the Giants fate who fall to 2-4.


League News:

• Only one team remains unbeaten as we head towards the second weekend of Baseball, surprisingly it is the Detroit Tigers.


Who owned Baseball today:

#1 C Eric Haase (DET) 2 for 3, 2B, HR, 4RBI, 3 R, BB against Royals (6-4 win)
#2 LF Giancarlo Stanton (NYY) 2 for 3, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB against the Rays (6-4 win)
#3 3B Anthony Rendon (LAA) 3 for 5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R against the Rangers (10-2 win)

Got the much needed strong start from Gausman but our bats couldn’t get anything going against Bumgarner. Second time this season we have won the series opener, then lost the next two.
Day off tomorrow, back to San Francisco for the home opener against the Dodgers, then we enterain the Diamondbacks as well before heading off on the road again.

[assamarra]

Thursday 2nd April 2020

No Game

Series preview

Series 3: Los Angeles Dodgers (4-2) v San Francisco Giants (2-4)

(Dodgers lead series 2-1)

Probable Starting Pitching:-

Friday 03/04/2020 – (RH) Johnny Cueto (0-0, 13.50 ERA) v (RH) Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 7.20 ERA)
Saturday 04/04/2020 – (RH) Jeff Samardzija (0-1, 7.71 ERA) v (LH) David Price (1-0, 3.00 ERA)
Sunday 05/04/2020 – (RH) Andrew Triggs (1-0, 4.50 ERA) v (LH) Alex Wood (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

We see re-matches of the pitching matchups of games 2 and 3 in the opening series of the season in LA. Hopefully Cueto will last longer and pitch better than his first start of the season.
All arms are rested and ready to go, hopefully we attract a good crowd this weekend, our fan interest in currently standing at ‘73’ so fingers crossed that all 41,503 seats are filled.


League News:

• Inter league trade announced as the Red Sox and Cardinals complete a deal with LF Andrew Benintendi and minor league RHP Noah Song moves west with 31 year old LHP Kwang-hyun Kim moves east.

Red Sox seem to give up a lot in this trade, fair enough Benintendi had an off year in 2019, his WAR dropped from 4.0 to 1.6, still unclear who will patrol the grass beneath the Green Monster at the moment. Song is ranked 91st in the prospect listings, down as a starter at the moment but could see him moving to the bullpen where his ++ fastball, curve and change will be a real asset.

Song only moved to the U.S. in December last year as a free agent signing from the KBO league. Made only one start for St Louis but Boston looks like they wanted to strengthen their rotation again after signing Salazar a couple of days ago.



Who owned Baseball today:

#1 RF Nelson Cruz (MIN) 4 for 7, HR, 2 RBI, 4 R, 2BB against Athletics (4-3 loss)
#2 SP Matthew Boyd (DET) 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, W against the Indians (3-0 win)
#3 2B Jose Peraza (BOS) 3 for 5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R against the White Sox (11-5 win)

[assamarra]

Friday 3rd April 2020

Game 7 Los Angeles Dodgers 1 San Francisco Giants 2
(WP: Cueto 1-0) (LP: Kershaw 0-1) (SV: Webb 1)
Attendance: 41,465
Time: 3:09

Home opener in San Francisco and the Giants faithful went home happy as the Giants sneak past the Dodgers 2-1. The deciding AB was in the bottom of the 5th with the Dodgers winning 1-0 where Cueto who had threw 5 solid innings (4 hits, 1 earned run, 5 strikeouts) and with Donovan Solano on base pinch hitter and fan favourite Hunter Pence despatched a Kershaw fastball over the left field fence to give the Giants a 2-1 lead.
The Giants bullpen turned up today and threw 4 innings of shut out ball allowing 3 hits and more importantly no runs as Logan Webb registers his first save of the season.

Giants improve to 3-4 and into 4th place in the NL West while the Dodgers fall to 4-3.

The Padres and Diamondbacks lead the division with a 5-3 record.


League News:

• The Tigers finally lose (6-1) taking a 12-6 loss to Cleveland
• The Royals are the only team to have won 1 game (the rest at least 2 games) and have lost 4 on the trot.


Who owned Baseball today:

#1 SP Kyle Hendricks (CHC) 8.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, W against Diamondbacks (5-0 win)
#2 3B Jose Ramirez (CLE) 2 for 5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R against the Tigers (12-6 win)
#3 SP Mike Minor (TEX) 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K against the Rays (1-4 loss win)

Nice to win the home opener for the fans, especially against the Dodgers. Cueto pitched well and I thought he was going to struggle after allowing a run in the first. Pence’s hit off Kershaw was obviously the game changer and to come off the bench and face one of the top pitchers in game, then hit a home run was amazing. Need to back this win up as we have won series openers in the first two series, then lost the next two.

[assamarra]

Saturday 4th April 2020

Game 8 Los Angeles Dodgers 4 San Francisco Giants 5
(WP: Selman 1-0) (LP: Ferguson 0-1) (SV: Webb 2)
Attendance: 39,092
Time: 3:18

A 3-RBI performance from Wilmer Flores including two solo home runs off David Price and the winning run off Caleb Ferguson saw the Giants prevail over the Dodgers for the second day running, today winning 5-4.

San Francisco took an early lead on the back of two Dodgers’ errors from Seager and Bellinger with Evan Longoria driving in Posey and Flores which included those errors and a balk from Price, a sloppy start from the visiting nine.

In the bottom of the 3rd Flores then drove in Posey from 1st with the first of his two home runs and making the score 4-0 Giants. Giants’ starter Samardzija could not keep the lead as the Dodgers over the next three innings pegged back the gap and as Samardzija left the mound after 5.1 IP he had allowed 4 runs on 6 hits.

It stayed 4-4 until the bottom of the 8th where on a 0-1 pitch Caleb Ferguson was dispatched for the second time today into the LF seats from Flores, a 390ft HR.

SF closer Logan Webb sat down the Dodgers in order (Turner, Muncy and Bellinger) for his second save of the season and the Giants 4th win and the Dodgers 4th loss, both sit at 4-4 in the NL West.


League News:

• Longest winning streaks – Cubs (6, 6-2 record), Blue Jays (6, 7-2 record) & Cardinals (4, 5-3 record)
• Longest losing streaks – Braves (4, 2-7 record), Orioles (4, 3-5 record) & Dodgers (3, 4-4 record)


Who owned Baseball today:

#1 LF Corey Dickerson (MIA) 4 for 9, 2 2B, HR, 7 RBI, 2 R against the Braves (11-5 win)
#2 LF Teoscar Hernandez (TOR) 2 for 3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB against the Yankees (13-4 win)
#3 2B Jonathan Villar (MIA) 3 for 6, HR, 2 RBI, 4 R, 3 BB against the Braves (11-5 win)

Flores was brought in from Arizona in the off season and is platooning first base with Belt and it is working well so far. A small sample size, but a promising start with a .389/.421/.1.111 with 4 HR, driving 5.

[assamarra]

Sunday 5th April 2020

Game 9 Los Angeles Dodgers 3 San Francisco Giants 1 (in 10 innings)
(WP: Kelly 1-0) (LP: Selman 1-1) (SV: Jansen 3)
Attendance: 37,567
Time: 3:40

A strong start from Dodgers Alex Wood who pitched 7 innings allowing 6 hits, 1 run, while striking out 5. It took extra innings after the Giants had taken the lead in the bottom of the 7th with a Solano single driving in Yastrzemski but the Dodgers responded immediately in the 8th when Lux homered off Rogers to tie the game at 1-1.

Kyle Seager (single) and Chris Taylor (Sac Fly) off Sam Selman who took the loss to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead, Jansen came in to register his third save of the season stranding Solano on second base as Austin Slater struck out for the third out of the inning.

Giants starter Triggs pitched well into the sixth allowing 2 runs, 2 walks and striking out 8 Dodgers in 5.1 IP, Lux went 2 for 4 with a HR, is now hitting .308/.357/.577 for the season.

League News:

• J.A.Happ (NYY) throws a one hit complete game shutout against the Blue Jays, Yankees win 3-0 as Happ strikes out 6 and walks 3 in 105 pitches.


Who owned Baseball today:

#1 2B Jason Kipnis (CHC) 4 for 6, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, BB against Diamondbacks (8-7 win)
#2 SS Fernando Tatis (SD) 3 for 5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R against the Rockies (8-12 loss)
#3 SP J.A. Happ (NYY) 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, W against the Blue Jays (3-0 win)

Very happy with Triggs’ start, 8 strikeouts against a line-up like the Dodgers is a good outing, just a shame the bullpen could not keep hold of that slender 1-0 lead. Still we took 2 out of 3 from the Dodgers and am happy with that.
Diamondbacks up next, four at home, then a short trip south again but this to San Diego before a day off before we head east to Cincinnati and then to Atlanta.

[assamarra]

Monday 6th April 2020

Weekly Round-up

Standings after Sunday 5th April 2020



AL Player of the week

Xander Bogaerts (BOS) takes the first weekly AL player of the week award after hitting .458 for the week in 24 at bats. It included two multi hit games, going for 4 for 5 on 31st March against the Baltimore and going 3 for 5 on the 5th April. He drove into at last one run in his six starts last week.

NL Player of the week

Fernando Tatis Jr (SD) took the National League award for last week. Tatis hit .455 in 22 at bats driving in 7, scoring 8 runs and hitting 3 home runs. Best performance of the week from Tatis saw the Padres lose to the Rockies 8-1, but Tatis went 3 for 5, 2 HR, 3 R and 4 RBI.

Early in the season and the standings reflect that but a couple of surprises so far

1. The Tigers leading the Central, with the Twins right behind them with the Indians suffering a slow start.
2. Atlanta has had an awful start with their pitching all over the place.

A 4-5 week for the Giants, only game behind the Dodgers and I will take that at the moment. The bats need to start making more contact and we are hitting collectively .209/.274/.382 with only the Pirates worse than that in the NL. Showed some power in the first week.

Diamondbacks and Padres this week on the schedule

[assamarra]

Monday 6th April 2020

Series preview

Series 4: San Francisco Giants (4-5) v Arizona Diamondbacks (5-5)

(Dodgers lead series 2-1)

Probable Starting Pitching:-

Monday 06/04/2020 – (LH) Drew Smyly (0-1, 3.60 ERA) v (LH) Robbie Ray (1-0, 1.42 ERA)
Tuesday 07/04/2020 - (RH) Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.31 ERA) v (LH) Madison Bumgarner (1-1, 5.59 ERA)
Wednesday 08/04/2020 – (RH) Johnny Cueto (1-0, 3.18 ERA) v (RH) Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.46 ERA)
Thursday 09/04/2020 – (RH) Jeff Samardzija (0-1, 7.20 ERA) v (RH) Luke Weaver (0-1, 1.35 ERA)

Games 1 and 2 of the series see re-matches of games last week where Arizona won. As always starting pitching needs to perform and put in the innings and that gives us the best chance to win.