Lineup shuffling

Bochy has shuffled around the lineup with the Giants' latest acquisitions, hitting Sanchez second in the order and batting Garko in both the fourth and fifth spot. While the new order isn't set in stone, Bochy said it gives off a different vibe, one he hopes will lead them to the playoffs.

If this new rule about doubling up players in the batting order is true, then what the hell is Bochy's problem!? The clear choice is Sandoval!

I didn't really see if anyone started a roll call sort of thread for this promotion, so I figured I would.  Did anyone else get tickets to this?  It looks like I will be in View Reserve section 327.

This will be my first non-Lincecum game this season, so I hope that it is not status quo night for Matt Cain.  And that I get to see Pablo and Ishikawa (and not have him pinch hit for in the fourth).

I know there are fans of Joss Whedon here, so I figured I'd post about his new internet mini-series "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" starring Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Horrible, Nathan Fillion as Captain Hammer, and Felicia Day as Penny.

Dr. Horrible is a villain who is applying to get into the Evil League of Evil, but has a crush on a girl at the local laundromat.  Captain Hammer is his arch-nemesis.  Oh, and it's a musical, so if you liked the Buffy episode "Once More, With Feeling", you will probably love this.

Act I went up Tuesday, Act II went up today (Thursday), and Act III will be posted on Saturday.  They will all be taken down on Sunday, and will only be available for purchase from iTunes for now, but a DVD will come later

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

PS If you're having trouble placing Felicia Day, she played the Potential Slayer "Vi" in the final season of Buffy.

That's the only explanation for this:

Don't be surprised if the Brewers accelerate their transition this winter by trading shortstop J.J. Hardy and possibly first baseman Prince Fielder for multiple high-end prospects.

The demand for shortstops, in particular, is rising. Hardy, second in OPS only to the Marlins' Hanley Ramirez among NL shortstops, could bring a quality young starting pitcher — think Giants right-hander Matt Cain — if he is packaged with the right youngsters.

J.J. Hardy is a nice player, sure.  But the centerpiece of a deal for Matt Cain?  Not a freakin' chance.

The Lunatic Fringe: Let's talk about the Giants.
                  
Sabean: I assume you've scanned the roster...

The Fringe: Kent was your greatest success.  A prodigy.  A phenomenon.  Until the Astros walked in here and took him from you.

Sabean: It's not quite so simple.

The Fringe: I'm well aware of that.

Sabean: There was no way that I could...

The Fringe: No, no. Of course.  The boy spent his entire time here under Bonds, developing the contacts and hitting reputation to leave this place.

Sabean: Gave up a brilliant future hitting in front of Bonds as well.  It's madness.

The Fringe: Madness?  Have you looked at his picture carefully, Sabean?  At his face?  It's hubris, in point of fact.  Something a good deal more dangerous.

Sabean: Why are you here?

The Fringe: Because the situation is even less simple than you think.  Do you know what your sin is, Sabean?
           
Sabean: I wonder if you'd...

The Fringe: It's pride.  Pride, and the inability to develop a solid positional player in 10 years.  Oh, and Barry Zito.  So, your sins are pride, the inability to develop a solid positional player in 10 years, and Barry Zito.

[replays recording of Sabean]: Key members of management personally pushed for Zito.  I was told that management's support...

The Fringe: "Key members of management."  Key.  The minds behind every marketing, personnel, and roster decision in the organization, and you put them...in a room...with Zito.

Sabean: If there was some kind of information about his decline...he never spoke of it.  I don't know what it is.

The Fringe: Nor do I.  And judging by his deteriorating mental state, I'd say we're both better off.  Secrets are not my concern.  Fixing them is.

Sabean: Whatever injury or mechanics he might have accidentally messed up his velocity with, it's probable he doesn't even know what they are.  That they're buried beneath layers of psychosis.
         
The Fringe: You know, in certain older civilized cultures, when men failed as entirely as you have, they would throw themselves on their swords.

Sabean: Well, unfortunately, I forgot to bring a sword.  [as the Fringe pulls out their sword] I would put that down right now if I were you.

The Fringe: Would you be killed in your sleep like an ailing pet?

[Grunting]
[Yelling]
[Screaming]

The Fringe: Young miss...Young miss, I'll need all the logs on sabermetrics.  We'll have to reach out to the fans and help them to come back to us.  No matter how far out Sabean has...

[gasping]

The Fringe: This is a good death.

[gasping]

The Fringe: There's no shame in this...in a GMs death, a GM who has done...fine works.  We're making a better roster.  All of them...better rosters.