The National League East has seen some unexpected turmoil, as two of the top three spending teams in the MLB (Mets, $358M and Phillies, $297M) have 9-19 records. That’s a lot of money to be sharing last place! The Phillies will host our Giants, having gone 1-9 over their last ten. Here is the early week series,
✽ Tuesday, 3:40, Tyler Mahle (1-3, 5.26) vs. LHP Jesus Luzardo (1-3, 6.91)
✽ Wednesday, 3:40, Logan Webb (2-3, 4.86) vs. LHP Cristopher Sanchez (2-2, 2.94)
✽ Thursday, 10:05, Adrian Houser (0-3, 7.36) vs. RHP Andrew Painter (1-2, 5.25)
Normal video and radio coverage. This will finish the season series against the Phillies, as the guys went 2-1 against them at home earlier this month. Our 13-15 Giants will then head to Tampa Bay for the weekend.
The Phillies decided to stand mostly pat this winter, bringing back Kyle Schwarber (5/$150M) and J. T. Realmuto (3/$45M). Harrison Bader exercised his opt-out, and the team waived poor fielding Nick Castellanos, bringing in Adolis Garcia (1/$10M) instead. Luzardo landed a 5/$135M contract extension. This means that Rob Thomson’s team is very familiar to us:
♦️ 1B Bryce Harper (18, 6 HR), 2B Bryson Stott (4), SS Trea Turner (9), 3B Alec Bohm (11)
♦️ RF Adolis Garcia (7), CF Justin Crawford (3), LF Brandon Marsh (16)
♦️ C Garrett Stubbs (1), DH Kyle Schwarber (17, 9 HR)
♦️ bench: C Rafael Marchan, IF Edmundo Sosa, IF/OFs Dylan Moore and Feliz Reyes
♦️ rotation: Sanchez, Painter, Zack Wheeler (0-0, 3.60), Aaron Nola (1-3, 6.03), Luzardo
♦️ closer Brad Keller, set ups Jose Alvarado and the magnificently named Orion Kerkering
Realmuto is on the IL with back spasms. Wheeler has returned to the team, appearing in only one game so far.
The final order of business is handing out the valued Picture of the Post award. Jung Hoo Lee put in a very valiant effort: 9-12 (triple, homer) with a walk, 4 runs scored and an RBI, as well as two very difficult catches in the foul ground of right. He’s shaking his head, what more can I do? Indeed, that’s tremendous stuff. But Casey Schmitt made his hits count for more: 4-10 (two homers) and 2 walks, 3 runs scored, 5 RBI, and a sweet throw when they let him play 3B to the perfect spot. Both players should have sealed their new Sunday spots in the line up, at lead off and cleanup! Note that Casey Schmitt leads the team with 4 homers, and at 13, is only one behind Heliot Ramos for the team RBI lead. He has 8 doubles, two behind Willy Adames for team leader there. Often criticized for chasing, he has 19 whiffs, which may be compared to Chapman (22), Ramos (32), Devers and Adames (both 36).
business note: the company which hosts https://sfgiants.blog figured out the server problem that affected this site on Sunday. I appreciate your warm comments to me, each and every one. But, it is actually the gracious and kindly banter of the commenters than makes this place. If you know anyone else who is polite and sociable, and equally passionate about the Giants, please feel free to share this URL – we could use a few more just as nice the current crowd.
