Post by Commissioner Erick on May 19, 2022 19:08:23 GMT -5
San Francisco Giants (0-0) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (0-0)
SF: Shane Baz (0-0, 0.00)
LAD: Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00)
Giants 5 Key Stats
$114,950,670: San Francisco’s balance after last season. The Giants continue to be a strong team that has trouble getting over the hump, making it to just one NLCS the last four seasons despite averaging 101 wins a year. The team hasn’t used its resources to acquire a big name player who may push it over the hump.
7.6: Career San Francisco WAR for Shortstop Enrique Valdez despite a career .659 OPS with the Giants. Valdez has two Gold Gloves and has shown just how valuable his defense is. He has an OPS+ of 84 the past two years and is still one of the more valuable players in baseball because of his glove up the middle.
57: Games played by Nelle Willemsen last year. Zipper Willemsen had big talent and produced in the PBA, but didn’t get a lot of playing time. He hit .301 with a .372 OBP and 11 home runs. In the offseason he slashed .351/.442/.649 for Curacao with seven steals, three home runs, and eight runs scored in 10 Games, fueling their first time advancing past the first round, and trip to the inaugural WBC Quarterfinals. San Francisco will need to play him more in 2028.
7: Players who played in at least 57 Games and hit at least .300. The Giants are excellent at hitting for a high average, taking advantage of the NL West’s spacious outfield dimensions. The Dodgers’ defense will be tested today.
3.07: Shane Baz’ ERA last year, second best of his career. Baz looked more ordinary at times after his 2024 Cy Young runner up, with high BABIPs and extremely unlucky ERA – FIP differentials masking a continued run of dominance. Last year, Baz was able to marry the peripherals with the results again, and while his 3.25 FIP was in line with every season of his Giants career save 2014, the results were easily the best since that special season.
Dodgers 5 Key Stats:
.702: Amin Valdez’ OPS in 55 Games last year before tearing his ACL. This is after a disappointing .648 OPS in 2026. It’s Valdez’ job to lose, but with Nick Allen being acquired last year and playing well, Valdez won’t have a long leash.
0.8: BB/9 for Eduardo Rodriguez last year. After missing a chunk of 2026 with a torn rotator cuff that many felt could end Rodriguez’ days as an effective starter, E-Rod recovered and had an outstanding season. He allowed just 15 walks all year, surrendered just 21 home runs and had a solid 4.07 ERA. He was a bit unlucky though as his FIP was 3.61.
.290: Alex Verdugo’s average last year. After a disappointing 2026 where Verdugo hit for just a .708 OPS, it was beginning to look if he were more of a defensive player with a light bat. He turned that around with a solid season where he got on base at a high clip with a .350 average, and had enough slugging to produce a .441 slugging mark. Verdugo’s defense also remained strong. One concern. Verdugo hit just .175 for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
.716: Willie Calhoun’s OPS last year: Calhoun was a pillar of stability for years in the Dodgers lineup, but had a brutal 2027. His power output dwindled to 16 doubles—less than half his 2026 total—and 20 home runs. Each was easily a career low for a full season. The Dodgers can win without Calhoun—they won 101 Games last year—but to comfortably clear the Giants and compete with a fantastic Milwaukee team, they’ll need Calhoun to revert to his career performance.
.282: Jeren Kendall’s career average against Shane Baz. Despite Baz being a strikeout artist and Kendall having a long swing, Kendall has had success against the ace. He’s 11-39 lifetime, a solid mark, and has four home runs. The four homers are the third most he’s hit against any pitcher. This gives hope that the Dodgers can handle Baz, even if he’s on his game.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dave Twibell, You’ve left money on the table in the past few seasons, while falling short of your playoff goals. Why don’t you spend more in free agency or acquire a superstar in a trade to boost your team?
With Frazer McWhir and Nelle Willemsen expected to get more time this year, what will be your outfield configuration tonight against the Dodgers?
You don’t have an incredibly patient team. Do you think that will help you today against a pitcher like Rodriguez who won’t mess around and miss the strike zone?
For Ben Vincent, do you think your team can win 100 Games again if Calhoun has the same season he had last year?
Joe DeCarlo is a player type you haven’t had very often in your career. He has huge power, but doesn’t have the greatest bat and strikes out a lot. How do you see him fitting in to what you do?
The Giants are excellent at generating hits, and Rodriguez will throw strikes. Do you want to get to your bullpen early today to get out of the matchup?
TRIVIA: Who is the last Giants pitcher to be one of their five most common starters in a season who wasn't a Top 100 prospect at any point.
SF: Shane Baz (0-0, 0.00)
LAD: Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00)
Giants 5 Key Stats
$114,950,670: San Francisco’s balance after last season. The Giants continue to be a strong team that has trouble getting over the hump, making it to just one NLCS the last four seasons despite averaging 101 wins a year. The team hasn’t used its resources to acquire a big name player who may push it over the hump.
7.6: Career San Francisco WAR for Shortstop Enrique Valdez despite a career .659 OPS with the Giants. Valdez has two Gold Gloves and has shown just how valuable his defense is. He has an OPS+ of 84 the past two years and is still one of the more valuable players in baseball because of his glove up the middle.
57: Games played by Nelle Willemsen last year. Zipper Willemsen had big talent and produced in the PBA, but didn’t get a lot of playing time. He hit .301 with a .372 OBP and 11 home runs. In the offseason he slashed .351/.442/.649 for Curacao with seven steals, three home runs, and eight runs scored in 10 Games, fueling their first time advancing past the first round, and trip to the inaugural WBC Quarterfinals. San Francisco will need to play him more in 2028.
7: Players who played in at least 57 Games and hit at least .300. The Giants are excellent at hitting for a high average, taking advantage of the NL West’s spacious outfield dimensions. The Dodgers’ defense will be tested today.
3.07: Shane Baz’ ERA last year, second best of his career. Baz looked more ordinary at times after his 2024 Cy Young runner up, with high BABIPs and extremely unlucky ERA – FIP differentials masking a continued run of dominance. Last year, Baz was able to marry the peripherals with the results again, and while his 3.25 FIP was in line with every season of his Giants career save 2014, the results were easily the best since that special season.
Dodgers 5 Key Stats:
.702: Amin Valdez’ OPS in 55 Games last year before tearing his ACL. This is after a disappointing .648 OPS in 2026. It’s Valdez’ job to lose, but with Nick Allen being acquired last year and playing well, Valdez won’t have a long leash.
0.8: BB/9 for Eduardo Rodriguez last year. After missing a chunk of 2026 with a torn rotator cuff that many felt could end Rodriguez’ days as an effective starter, E-Rod recovered and had an outstanding season. He allowed just 15 walks all year, surrendered just 21 home runs and had a solid 4.07 ERA. He was a bit unlucky though as his FIP was 3.61.
.290: Alex Verdugo’s average last year. After a disappointing 2026 where Verdugo hit for just a .708 OPS, it was beginning to look if he were more of a defensive player with a light bat. He turned that around with a solid season where he got on base at a high clip with a .350 average, and had enough slugging to produce a .441 slugging mark. Verdugo’s defense also remained strong. One concern. Verdugo hit just .175 for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
.716: Willie Calhoun’s OPS last year: Calhoun was a pillar of stability for years in the Dodgers lineup, but had a brutal 2027. His power output dwindled to 16 doubles—less than half his 2026 total—and 20 home runs. Each was easily a career low for a full season. The Dodgers can win without Calhoun—they won 101 Games last year—but to comfortably clear the Giants and compete with a fantastic Milwaukee team, they’ll need Calhoun to revert to his career performance.
.282: Jeren Kendall’s career average against Shane Baz. Despite Baz being a strikeout artist and Kendall having a long swing, Kendall has had success against the ace. He’s 11-39 lifetime, a solid mark, and has four home runs. The four homers are the third most he’s hit against any pitcher. This gives hope that the Dodgers can handle Baz, even if he’s on his game.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dave Twibell, You’ve left money on the table in the past few seasons, while falling short of your playoff goals. Why don’t you spend more in free agency or acquire a superstar in a trade to boost your team?
With Frazer McWhir and Nelle Willemsen expected to get more time this year, what will be your outfield configuration tonight against the Dodgers?
You don’t have an incredibly patient team. Do you think that will help you today against a pitcher like Rodriguez who won’t mess around and miss the strike zone?
For Ben Vincent, do you think your team can win 100 Games again if Calhoun has the same season he had last year?
Joe DeCarlo is a player type you haven’t had very often in your career. He has huge power, but doesn’t have the greatest bat and strikes out a lot. How do you see him fitting in to what you do?
The Giants are excellent at generating hits, and Rodriguez will throw strikes. Do you want to get to your bullpen early today to get out of the matchup?
TRIVIA: Who is the last Giants pitcher to be one of their five most common starters in a season who wasn't a Top 100 prospect at any point.
