Comments and Opinions

The Giants took two out of three from the D'Backs while preparing for the post season play.  The win on Thursday was unusual because the Giants hit three home runs which seldom happens on this club.  This blog was wrong to believe that the Giants lack of power would eventually be their downfall.

We wondered why Belt was not playing left field during these last games since the NL West title has been assured. He started in left on Thursday and misplayed two balls that Blanco probably would have caught which will most likely eliminated him from playing that position in the playoffs.  The Giants will miss his bat when Sanchez catches and Posey plays first. . . Lincecum next start probably against San Diego this weekend will determine if he will be on the playoff roster. . . Only Bud Selig could pull this one off and it is the reason why he makes about $20 million being commissioner.  The teams with the best records will be at a big disadvantage because they have to play their first two games on the road.  Never before has this happened.  This is the result of adding a second wild card team just before the start of the season.  There is no question that this addition has increased interest and revenue for the teams involved.  But at what price?  The decision was made because money comes first while the integrity of the game what is left of it suffers.

Homer Sweeney

The NFL Lies Again

The National Football League is a joke.  The NFL agreeing with the call last night shows that instant replay should be eliminated. The replacement refs blew the call and will take all the blame.  Remember however regular NFL officials are in the replay booth and they really blew it!

Homer Sweeney

Giants Win

Congratulations to the Giants -  The first step winning the West in the National League has been accomplished with still 1 1/2 weeks to go in the season.  This gives the team time to settle on their playoff roster and to get their pitching rotation in order. The Giants will either play the Nationals or the Reds in the first round.  Both teams took five of six from the Giants during the season.  The Giants now have a different look with Pagan and Scutaro at the top of the order and Pence in right field.  This blog would suggest playing Belt in left field during a few of these last regular season games to see how it might work when Sanchez catches and Posey plays first.

Homer Sweeney

49ers Lose

The first two weeks the 49ers pushed the Packers and Lions all over the field.  Today the Vikings gave it back to the 'Niners big time.  The game wasn't even close.  The offense was almost non existent as it seems as if the Forty Niners were starting to get too big headed for their own good.

Homer Sweeney

Don't Listen to Me!

The Giants swept four games from a very inept Colorado Rockies team and combined with Dodger losses the Giants magic number is now three.  This blog suggested that the Giants bench over weight Sandoval for Arias.  Sandoval is benched for a game returns to the line up and starts hitting home runs again which is just what the Giants needed. Save some for the playoff, Pablo!

Homer Sweeney

Magic Number Gets Smaller!

The Giants took two of three from the D'Backs to complete a very successful road trip to Colorado and Arizona where they won four of six games combined with a few more Dodger losses dropped their magic number to  nine.  The Giants are planning on wrapping up the NL West on their upcoming ten game home stand.  Although the Giants are not great at home they should win enough games combined with Dodger losses to win the west before  playing their final six regular season games on the road.

Comments - You may have noticed Francisco Pequero at the plate during yesterdays game. He swings at just about every pitch and most of the time misses.  He is #5 Giant  prospect and #2 outfielder behind Gary Brown.  Maybe he can't hit but he is fast.  The Giants have a habit of drafting outfielders who can run but the question is can they hit.  They need  outfielders that hit like the catchers they draft. . . After benching "Fatty" Sandoval for a game he was back in the lineup in Arizona.  He responded with three hits but then promptly went hit less the rest of the series.  The thought is the Giants cannot win without Fatty.  I had the same thought in 2010 but I was wrong and maybe the Giants are wrong now. . .  Runzler was given an opportunity to show what he could do Sunday and promptly allowed two batters to get on base.  He has really regressed in the last three  years.   Machi looked good for an inning yesterday but last week when the pressure was on he came in and failed to do the job.  Bochy can count on about ten pitchers of his nineteen man staff a batter out.

The 49ers beat the Lions Sunday.  Why was the game so close when the 49er dominated the Lions?  Poor 3rd down calling early in the game resulted in field goals rather than touchdowns.  

Homer Sweeney

It's 2010 Again?

The Giants took two of three from the Rockies but we're not sure it's 2010 again.  It is however 2010 for Pablo Sandoval.  His errors and lack of clutch hitting cost the Giants their game against Colorado on Monday.  Finally by Wednesday Bochy benched him for Arias.  Let Arias play third until he shows he can't.  Giants take a 7 game lead into their three game series with the D'Backs.

A Great Weekend

The Giants took two of three from the Dodgers to move 5 1/2 games ahead in the NL West.  The difference in the two teams was evident Saturday.  Victorino hit a ball into the right field corner and trotted into second with a double with one out..  The next batter flew out and Giants then retired the side with Victorino still on second.  Pagan of the Giants got the same type of drive into the corner and ran like hell to end up on third with a triple then scores on a fly ball.  That's the difference Giants score Dodgers don't. 

49ers - Although I predicted the Packers to beat the 49ers Sunday I was not surprised to see them win easily Sunday.  Just hope they do not peak too early.

Homer Sweeney

They Came With Their Htting Shoes On!

Some fans must be wondering where the D'Backs have been all season after seeing them rip Giant pitching to threads in their three game series.  The Giants came from behind Monday thanks to a number of clutch hits to over take Arizona.  On Tuesday the Giants rallied again but could not get that one big hit and lost in 11 innings.  The final game was all Arizona.

Notes - X Nady the Giants one hope in left field is probably out for awhile with a hamstring problem.  Bochy is talking about getting creative in left field and has mentioned Belt's name a couple of times. . . Here is the Giant lineup I was be using until Nady returns:  Pagan CF, Scutaro 2B, Belt LF, Posey C/1B, Sandoval 3B, Pence RF, Pill 1B or Sanchez C, Crawford or Arias SS and the pitcher batting ninth.  

Homer Sweeney

What A Trip!

The Giants won five out of six this week sweeping the almost win less Astros and winning two of three from the 'building' Chicago Cubs.  They were not easy games to win and the Giants had many heroes.  Arias was the star of the Houston series.  In the first game he pinch hit a double in the ninth inning to drive in the tying run and then scored the winning run. He started the second game hit a two run triple late in the game to drive in the Giants fifth and sixth runs in their 6-4 win.  On Thursday he hit a home run to give the Giants a must needed insurance run. 

Notes - This blog suggested over a week ago that Nady be called up which so far has proven to be the right call. . . Pinch hitter Audrey Huff was a real hero Sunday.  He took enough pitches to allow the Cubs to throw a wild one that tied the game. . . Pagan drove in the tie breaking run Sunday in the ninth inning.  On the second pitch he tried to bunt.  He said later he saw the third basemen playing back and thought the could get a hit.  A bunt hit would not had scored the leading run.  How many times have we seen the Giants have a man on third with none out and not score so having a runner on third one out is no cinch.  He would had left it up to Scuredo who had been hit less in the series to get the runner home. Don't bunt with a man on second! . . . Lopez has been very sharp in relief and  is earning his money. . . The press finally brought up the topic of Sandoval's weight.  This blog has been talking about it  for weeks even suggesting that we change his nickname from Pandy to Fatty. . .  Bochy said he was maintaining  his weight but he will have to go on the same off season program as he did two years ago.  In other words he weighs about 280. . .  If the Giants lose the NL West Sandoval will get plenty of criticism.

NFL -  Pre- season games are for the most part glorified scrimmages and the last game is usually played to not get hurt.    Not the 49ers last Thursday.  They played a great game against the Chargers who I assume are either bad or were playing by the old rules. . . Maurice Jones-Drew who wanted to re-negotiate his contract with the Jaguars ended his holdout over the weekend after training camp had ended.  I am a believer once you sign your name on a contract you honor it.  I understand why he might not have learned this lesson at UCLA but you would think DeLaSalle would have left an impression on his mind. . . Prediction this Sunday Packers 24 49ers 7.

Homer Sweeney