An Unforgettable Road Trip
I would rather not spend too much time on yesterday’s 4-3 loss against the Mets in New York that ended the Giants six-game road trip with a 4-2 record including four incredible comeback wins. There are many ways to look at the road trip. On the one hand if the Giants (Tyler Rogers) had not imploded in the bottom of the ninth inning yesterday they would have come away with a 5-1 road trip or even 6-0 if they’ve had not blown a big lead in the ninth Tuesday against the Pirates. On the other hand without those miraculous and historic comeback wins the Giants would have been 0-6. Of course, of the two losses, both were heartbreaking bullpen implosions. Both came after strong Logan Webb starts that should have been wins. In the 7-6 loss the Pirates on Tuesday the bullpen surrendered 4 runs in the bottom of the ninth to let Pittsburgh tie the game. In yesterday’s loss Tyler Rogers gave up three runs after entering the game with a 3-1 lead.
The Giants were oh-so close to sweeping the Mets and getting their ace a much-needed win for his stat column. Instead, they fly home with a strong road trip record and ready for a homestand against the two best teams in baseball in the Yankees and Phillies. The big question for yesterday’s loss is this: Why on Earth did Camilo Doval close out Saturday’s 7-2 win when the Giants had a five-run lead! The answer, according to Bob Melvin is this; He had already warmed up and regardless of what happened, he was not going to pitch in yesterday’s game. That’s one way of covering your ass. In my world, it’s bad managing and there has been a fair share of it by Melvin on this road trip.
Logan Webb Deserved Better
Logan Webb pitched seven brilliant innings and probably could have pitched the eighth. He gave up only one run on thee hits and walked only one batter while striking out seven. He was downright brilliant, falling behind on hitters only a handful of times. He was locating the fastball, splitter and change and he was frustrating the Mets hitters, who tend to be aggressive and who are not known for their walks. Webb pitched like an ace and deserved the win. I have no qualm with pulling him after 95 pitches. Ryan Walker was brilliant in his one inning of work in the bottom of the eighth inning. He allowed one hit and no runs in lowering his ERA to 2.23.
Tyler Rogers has been a solid reliever for the Giants but in my book his stuff is not closer material. He allows too much contact and you do not want that for a second closer. He is at best a set up man and if I were the Giants Manager I would have pitched Rogers in the 8th inning and Walker in the ninth.
Who Is Brett Wisely?
Brett Wisely went 2-4 yesterday and hit a homerun. He is playing beautiful baseball, ladies and gents. At the plate he is looking like a combination of Pete Rose and a left-handed version of Jose Altuve. For a guy who was drafted in the 15th round by the Rays in 2019 Wisely is looking like some kind of player, a guy who may even be a starter on a Giants squad looking for stability at shortstop. I’m not sure how his glove will play in the long run but his hot streak is impressive. He is locked in and has had huuuuuuge hits throughout this road trip. It leaves the Giants with an interesting decision. Perhaps a righty-lefty platoon at short is in order with Luciano?
Today’s Game
The Giants host the Phillies for three games beginning tonight at 6:45 PM. It will be Taijuan Walker facing Blake Snell. I wish I could be there.
