SB Nation User Blog: Mr. Clutch

Cain's performance!

Mr. Clutch — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 04:06:12 -0000

Finally! Not a no-decision. Not a game where the offense produces it's usual 0.5 runs. Not a game where Cain receives an undeserving loss because of the lack of run support. Not a game where the relievers bring a gas can in from the bullpen and light the mound on fire after Cain works his ass off for 7 innings. Just a pure, solid, win for Matt Cain. How often have we said that about the 23 year old fireballer? not very. It must've been his parents and girlfriend being present at the game, if that's the case, we might as well sign them. Seven innings, six hits, one run, one walk, five strikeouts, and lowering his ERA to an impressive 3.57 en route to his 8th win of the season. However, with the lack of offense, Cain is the piece on the team that needs to be traded in order to acquire a middle of the order power bat that can provide the Giants with a legitimate offensive threat. Since Cain is so young, it could backfire if the Giants were to trade him because his ceiling is so majestic. I guess it would depend on the success of Sanchez, Alderson, Bumgarner, Martinez, English, and other top minor league starters. Not to mention, if Lowry can bounce back from his forearm injury and contribute like he did last year, then Cain is definitely expendable.

Best Game of the year?

Mr. Clutch — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:05:59 -0000

Jesus Christ Tyler. And you get the win? Figures. Feels good to have a walk off win against the bums, on an extremely special day with legends and heroes at the yard. Rowand with the game winning hit to keep the LA blue out of first. Sadler with the emotion, Kent with the jack and the ensuing glare into the SF dugout. It's only fitting that Rowand's single just squeaks by the outstretched arm of Kent to clinch the contest for the G-men. Best Game of the year?

Poll

Best Game of the Year?

Yes

77 votes

No

26 votes

103 votes | Poll has closed

Bullpen Proposal

Mr. Clutch — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:03:14 -0000

Figure this, the Giants or any other Major League Baseball organization (I only used the Giants first because this is Mccoveychronicles) keep five or six mainstays in their bullpen, guys that are solid and consistently get hitters out, whether it is being the closer or just being the lefty specialist, as long as they do their job and hold leads or keep the game close. In other words, perform well. The other one or two spots in the bullpen would be reserved for calling up minor league guys. This would eliminate a hitter's history with a pitcher and the pitchers from triple, double, or even single A would be able to help the team without hindering their progress. Then when teams begin to develop a book on quick callup minor league pitchers, they can simply switch them with another minor leaguer. Leaving one spot open in your bullpen would allow for this system to work. Another plus would be that teams might be able to find a minor leaguer who is never figured out by opposing teams, and he can become a mainstay in the bullpen.

The Offseason (not just Maggette)

Mr. Clutch — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:24:29 -0000

This move definitely moves Monta to the point guard position, and the organization is essentially saying that Monta is the point guard of the future. He doesn't necessarily have the skills right now, but definitely has the potential and can develop into the point guard to run Golden State. First of all, with regards to the Maggette move, the Warriors are extremely lacking in terms of backcourt defense. Assuming Jackson is going to guard the premier scoring threat on the floor, which is usually the SG/SF, this means Maggette is going to defend either against quicker shooting guards or against larger small forwards, and we've all seen how Monta fairs in an on the ball defending situation (not very well). Anyways, I feel as though a point guard signing such as Carlos Arroyo or Jason Williams, would be better fitting at point guard because right now in this stage of Monta's career, he is still a pure shooting guard. However, if the warriors were to sign a point guard like an Arroyo or J-Will, Maggette would move to the Small Forward and this would create loads of matchup problems defensively. I guess what I'm getting at is whether or not this Maggette deal is what the Warriors were really looking for, I mean, I know he's a scorer and he will fill the scoring void that Baron left, but he's kinda just another roamer type of guy. Not that the Warriors ever worried about positions to be successful. To address the offseason, I get the daunting feeling that the Golden State front office is somewhat attempting to quick fix the roster, even when they have a young core. I think it may just be a result of all the long years of losing, playoff droughts, and all that jazz (not utah, lol). The question is then, can you essentially do what the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants are doing in baseball right now, and that is compete, while developing young talent to improve chances to be competitive in the oncoming years? My answer is, no, I don't know how yall feel about it, but in the tough Western Conference, you're going to have to give guys run who can put up the most productive numbers, and that means more vets than rooks/sophs. It will essentially be impossible to compete with unproven guys playing every night like Randolph, Wright, and Hendrix. I'd hate to see the Warriors continue with this offseason charge and end up trading draft picks, or even a Brandan Wright simply to gain a vet that only gets them into the playoffs. A trade including a Wright or a Randolph or draft picks would have to put the Warriors into the final four and a shot at a title. Don't risk the future just because the roster is isn't set. Please don't do it. Of course, it's all speculation.

Jose Castillo

Mr. Clutch — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:18:26 -0000

He's been better than what I've expected, he's been lightweight clutch, almost as clutch as me. He's tied for eigth in the national league with twenty four doubles and has recently played a much improved third base defensively. The Giants claimed him off waivers on March twenty second, which was a late signing as a result of the Kevin Frandsen ruptured left Achilles’ tendon (who seems to have been forgotten, wait, wait, wait, wasn't he supposed to start somewhere on the infield this year?). I've come to enjoy his energy at third laying out daily for hoppers in the 5.5 hole (to quote Tony Gwynn), as well as his aggression on the base paths, continually searching for an opportunity to take an extra base from Giants' opponents, which is a quality all current and future hitters on the Giants need to have, if this sort of "small ball" approach built on pitching and defense is going to work. I was definitely a skeptic when the Giants first calimed him just because of the eerie plate approach resemblance to the free swinging Pedro Feliz. He hasn't flashed the same potential gold glove leather as Feliz just because Cast is a natural 2B, but he's definitely been more than serviceable; he's got Mr. Clutch referring to him as "my boy" to his homies and he's got the Giant's Sabes talkin' future long term plans for the Giants third baseman. We're only halfway through the season, and his numbers can still improve or they can regress and hurt the team. Third is clearly a position where the organization can look to acquire a power hitting piece in the offseason that could launch the Giants towards the top of the National League Worst, either via free agency or via trade. I guess what I'm getting at: is he worth keeping for future years as an EVERYDAY starter?

Tough loss, still 5 back. Playing better though!

The Wave and Beach Balls

Mr. Clutch — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:54:33 -0000

I don't know where the wave originated, I recall watching a piece on the origins of the wave on Sportscenter a few years back, but I guess it wasn't that important to me at the time or didn't grind my gears (to quote Peter Griffin). Yet, during the Cubs series, I saw various moron fans beginning the wave in the view reserve section of the ballpark, all the while, Lincecum is absolutely dealing to a dangerous Cubs offense (might I add with Aramis Ramirez fresh off the disabled list). It makes me think to myself "why did you even come to the ballgame if you're not even going to watch what you paid for, the actual reason and one of the only sources of entertainment on the Giants?" I've always been extremely proud for the most part of Giants fans at AT&T park because the wave is either shut down immediately by surrounding fans or if the wave does get going, it is extremely staggered and sporadic and the moron fans that even begin the bullshit, get tired and give up. It's just a distraction to the fans who are at the game to watch the game and bought the ticket to watch the franchise k 8 cubbies and improve to 10-1 on the year (how glad I am that we don't have Alex Rios =). I know that it's been around forever and it's a way to extract energy from the crowd, but please if you're going to do the wave, stick to Dodger Stadium.

Now, to the beach balls. It's plain and simple. If you're at the ballgame and a beach ball lands in your lap, pop that shit. 4 back baby!

The Zito Cure

Mr. Clutch — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:22:13 -0000

I know we might be tiring a little after all the Barry Zito contract, overpaying, underperforming, mumbo jumbo, however, I believe I have the solution to finally gaining some sort of positive production without having it shot down or turned into negativity as a result of Zito's very next start. We've seen signs of old school 2002 American League Cy Young award winning Zito, but only on the road (against Florida, Washington, and Cleveland), in my opinion, I honestly believe that the Giants should stick to pitching their one hundred twenty six million dollar man only on the road, just because of the simple fact that the pressure of pitching at home in front of the fans that have booed him before and threaten booing him again when he walks the first two batters in front of Geovany Soto, gets to him. There's been rumors and talk of the Giant's "ace" to be a head case or unable to handle the responsibilities of being Barry in San Francisco, and rightfully so, not many human beings are able to fill the shoes of Barry Bonds, especially with a $126 million contract hanging over their heads and with spoiled, restless fans yearning for a team reminiscent of the early 2000's. Go Giants! Go Zito! Cainer Tomorrow, show me something Matty.

Thank Goodness

Mr. Clutch — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:37:00 -0000

After the 1-0 nail biter last night, in which the Giants only squeaked out 2 hits and a win against Justin Duscherer, I feel as though the wins like today's 11-1 romping rarely come anymore, specifically with this type of team built around pitching and defense. As a fan, it just suppresses the stress level for a day until the Giants regress back to their old ways that have me covering my face in the 7th inning, clinging to a 3-2 lead, and Taschner falling behind 3-1 with runners on second and third with two outs and Derek Lee at the plate already two for three on the day with two doubles. haha. Games like today, laughers, are just a great deviation from the daily grind of attempting to stay in the NL Worst race, trade discussions, rumors, and everything in between. It's just entertaining baseball where your team destroys the other and its fun, no bad spots, nothing to criticize, just a great job all around. It makes me realize how much I love baseball, and more significantly how much I love winning. How I love laughers.

Lack of execution

Mr. Clutch — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 04:14:17 -0000

As a Giants fan, I rarely watch any A's baseball or American League baseball for that matter, the only time I watch American League baseball is on FOX during the postseason, if I am intrigued enough by the Sunday Night Baseball matchup on ESPN, or when the A's play the Giants at the Oakland Collesium. That being said, I don't know much about the strategy that is played in the American League in terms of sacrifice bunting, hitting and running, and stealing, that whole moving the runners type of deal. I've absolutely seen "small ball" played by numerous American League teams, most especially by the Angels with Mike Scocia at the managing helm, and more recently at AT&T Park this season when the Giants were swept by the Chicago White Sox in mid May. However, tonight's ballgame was a distinct example of the lack of execution in the American League due to Oakland's Bobby Crosby's inability to lay down a sacrifice bunt with Kurt Suzuki at second base and nobody out. The following hitter, Carlos Gomez drove a deep flyball that landed in the mitt of right fielder Randy Winn, which would have scored Suzuki, if Crosby had executed the bunt. The point I'm getting at is that how many hitters in the American League are asked to lay down a sacrifice bunt? I know they are major league hitters and bunting should be apart of their repitoire, but Bobby Crosby looked terrible attempting to sacrifice Suzuki to third base. I guess I just prefer the low scoring, scratch out one run, 1-0, 2-1 types of games. Go Giants! Go Sanchez.

The so-called A's Giants "Rivalry"

Mr. Clutch — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:16:11 -0000

A giants fan comprehends the fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers are THE team you are supposed to hate, THE team that you are raised as a child to absolutely despise, THE organization (including fans) that is your rival with numerous historical incidents, fights, and fiascos. I can't even begin to rant about how Oakland Athletics fans completely blow the so called A's Giants "rivalry" out of proportion. First of all, there is know history of bad blood between the franchises, I didn't know that close proximity of two teams battling for the same area's fan base and television station fuels a rivalry. I truly feel that Athletics fans wish and yearn for the storied history and tradition of the San Francisco Giants, which is why they pick an argument with me when I rock my fitted 7 1/8 SF cap to the Oakland Collesium. Honestly, I could give a horse's ass about the Oakland A's, the only time I give a damn is when they play the Giants six times a year (in the bullshit interleague part of the schedule, but that's a different argument). Basically, what I'm trying to get at is that there really is no rivalry, I don't feel the same way about the A's as I do the Dodgers, and I definitely don't want to. A's fans, however, WANT a rivalry, which is why they make a big deal "when the Giants come to town" (hehe, Bye Bye Baby lyrics) and also of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but that "rivalry" digresses back to (of course), Giants-Dodgers, Northern California-Southern California. Go Giants!