Game of the Week: May 8: SF @ PHI

[Commissioner Erick]

San Francisco Giants (15-19) @Philadelphia Phillies (22-12)


SF: Brandon Waddell: (2-3, 2.21)
PHI: Thomas Eshelman (3-1, 2.54)


The San Francisco Giants have lost four series in a row and are in danger of getting left behind in a brutal NL West. The Philadelphia Phillies have won 9 of their last 10 series and lead a brutal NL East. The two teams meet during The Game of the Week.

San Francisco's 2022 stars have not repeated their success early in 2023. Rafael Jimenez had a 28-home-run rookie season, but is batting .151 with just three extra base hits. Shane Benes is hitting just .250 with a .288 OBP. With those two hitters struggling, the Giants are struggling and are just 13th in on-base percentage and 11th in runs. At least they'll be able to start Brandon Waddell today. Waddell is coming off a 13-8 season with a 3.24 that was a huge factor in the Giants earning a tie of the NL West title. This year he's been even better with a 2.21 ERA, and no home runs allowed.

The fact that he's left-handed will be big in taking on the very left-handed Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies have easily the best OPS in baseball against right-handed pitchers, but are just eighth against left-handers. That will give San Francisco a chance. The Phillies only start two righties and one is hitting .167. Still, six Phillies already have five home runs this far.

San Francisco may slow down Philadelphia offense a little bit, but they likely won't be able to get much of a running game going. Austin Hedges may not be hitting, but he's thrown out 60% of runners. For a Giants offense that's struggling, that avenue of run production will likely be locked off for them.


Questions for the GMs:


For Dave Twibell, your offense hasn't taken off. What's been the main culprit?

Yoenis Cespedes was a huge part of your team last year. He only has 59 Plate Appearances thus far. Will he play a larger role going forward?

Aside from Rule-V pick Jake Eder, you don't have a lefty in your pen. How big will it be for Brandon Waddell to give you length today?

For Matt Grubs, Austin Hedges is only hitting .167, but his defense has been exceptional. How have you felt about his season?

In the past you had a significant amount of outfield depth with names like Andrew Pullin and Andrew Toles playing for you. How do you feel about your outfield this year?

With Dan Altivilla injured, your bullpen has still been excellent. How have you identified these guys to be part of your pen?


TRIVIA: Phillies Shortstop Andres Gimenez has two stolen bases All-Time in the World Baseball Classic, tied for the most for a shortstop with one other player. Who is that player?

[Grubs - Philly]

Thanks for the writeup, Erick! Insightful as always.

Austin Hedges is only hitting .167, but his defense has been exceptional. How have you felt about his season?

After stumbling offensively and finding Travis d'Arnaud to pick us up the past couple of years, I still felt we needed a more rock-solid presence behind the plate. Hedges brings that to us, and he's handled our staff extremely well. We know and he knows he can deliver more at the plate, regardless of how good he's been behind it. With a one-year contract, he's eager to improve.

In the past you had a significant amount of outfield depth with names like Andrew Pullin and Andrew Toles playing for you. How do you feel about your outfield this year?

It's been tough. We were hoping for a bounce-back season from Odubel Herrera, and it just hasn't happened. He's not happy to be riding the bench again this season, but we need production from that spot. Acquiring Brian Miller from Cleveland is hopefully a solution once he gets settled. I expect we'll shuffle things around a bit as we try to find a good configuration. Right now, Mickey Moniak is in center and Miller is in left. It's a very good defensive alignment for us, and hopefully Brian starts to swing the stick more comfortably. Jake Fraley is a still a bit of an unknown for us, but he seems to be gelling well with the squad. 

With Dan Altivilla injured, your bullpen has still been excellent. How have you identified these guys to be part of your pen?

Over the past couple of years, we've really changed the look of the bullpen. We're looking more at stuff and far more willing to ride the hot hand. Youngsters are on the rise, and we're anxious to see what they have. Jo Lon has been terrific and Dave Simon is itching to get up and help, though we're hoping for just a touch more development before he does. Luis Ramirez probably needs a different environment, and Derwuin Marchan needs some more work. Ian Krol's return means one or both are likely headed to the minors.

[Grubs - Philly]

Trivia: Harland "I wish my plate skill were just a touch better" Guenette

[Commissioner Erick]

Mar 7, 2020 14:04:56 GMT -5 Grubs - Philly said:

Trivia: Harland "I wish my plate skill were just a touch better" Guenette

Ding ding ding! I'm sure you knew that answer off the top of your head

[Commissioner Erick]

Giants 5 - Phillies 3


WP: B. Waddell (3-3)
LP: T. Eshelman (3-2)
SV: M. Givens (1)


The San Francisco Giants topped the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-3, in National League action at Citizens Bank Park. The player of the game was San Francisco pitcher and Houston, Texas native Brandon Waddell. San Francisco goes to 16-19, Philadelphia to 22-13.

San Francisco relied on the hitting of Rafael Jimenez to pick up the win. The designated hitter clubbed a 2-run single in the top of the third inning to put the Giants on top, 3-0. For the game, Jimenez had 1 home run and 1 single in 4 at-bats.

"We'll pop the top on a cold one and get back to work tomorrow," Waddell said.


Questions for the GMs:


For Dave Twibell, you went with your long man and mop-up man Jake Eder, and he did not do a good job against the Phillies. He yielded baseruners to their lefties before righty Maikel Franco hit a three-run home runs. As a Rule-V guy, he's obvious on board more for his future value, but do you guys feel you may need another lefty as he's not ready?

Speaking of Eder, he hurt himself in the game. Will it be serious enough to make a roster move?

How did Givens look for you in the five-out save situation?

For Matt Grubs, it's a similar story to past years. You have the best offense against right-handed pitching, but are just okay against lefties. Did your performance against Waddell trouble you?

You gave a few backups some starts, namely Tristan Gray and Kyle Higashioka. How did they look to you?

Mickey Moniak is only hitting .262 right now. He's really added power to his game, but his average is suffering. Do you approve of him selling out for more power, or would you rather see him be a high-average table setter?



TRIVIA: Which catcher threw out the most runners trying to steal in 2022?

[Grubs - Philly]

It's a similar story to past years. You have the best offense against right-handed pitching, but are just okay against lefties. Did your performance against Waddell trouble you?

That's a false narrative. I was third in OPS versus lefties last year and 10th in 2020. I have a lot of lefty batters, but I've been doing okay. We're not doing as well as we did last year, and yes, that bothers me, but my lineup doesn't rate poorly against lefties. I'd like to have another quality right-handed bat, for sure. I was hoping Austin Hedges might help, but he's been more of an asset behind the plate.

You gave a few backups some starts, namely Tristan Gray and Kyle Higashioka. How did they look to you?

I've been really pleased with Kyle Higashioka. He was a throw-in for the Haseley-Schrock trade, but his leadership and skill have paid big dividends. Tristan Gray is itching for playing time. He might start getting it with Gimenez struggling at the plate.

Mickey Moniak is only hitting .262 right now. He's really added power to his game, but his average is suffering. Do you approve of him selling out for more power, or would you rather see him be a high-average table setter?

Mickey's really smacking the ball around this year. Part of his low average is an uncharacteristically low BABIP. I expect that to come back, and then we'll reevaluate.
    

TRIVIA: Chance Sisco. While throwing out an impressive 31 guys, that was only about a quarter of the dudes who ran on the Amazins'.

[Commissioner Erick]

I looked up your OPS against lefties this year and was not impressed!

I AM impressed with your correct trivia answer!

[Commissioner Erick]

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