Game of the Week: June 25: LAD @ SF

[Commissioner Erick]

Los Angeles Dodgers (41-28) @ San Francisco Giants (42-26)


LAD: Clayton Kershaw (4-2, 3.39)
SF: Madison Bumgarner (8-2, 2.15)


As expected, the San Francisco Giants are a pitching, defense, and batting average-fueled monster, led by perhaps the best position player in the National League. As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers are a star-fueled monster, led by perhaps the best power hitter in the National League. Expect a great game when two NL West powerhouses square off for the Game of the Week.

San Francisco is back on track after a mediocre May that saw them looking up at Colorado and Los Angeles in the standings. Getting Atlanta, Boston, and San Diego on the schedule has allowed them to fatten up before a grueling 13-game stretch sees them play the Mets, Rockies, and Dodgers as well as the Diamondbacks.

Fortunately for San Francisco, they'll be able to take Christian Arroyo into those battles. Arroyo has been nothing short of sensational this season, relying on preternatural bat-to-ball skills to find himself second in batting average, second in on-base percentage, and second in doubles. He's hitting over .400 with runners on base, and in high leverage situations.

His walk ratio is great, his strikeout rate is great, and his strikeout-minus-walk numbers are exceptional, beaten only by some of the game's best first basemen (and Jessie Winker). Behind that excellent command of the strike zone, especially for a 23-year-old, Arroyo has been able to be selective and sting balls he can punish. That, combined with an opposite field approach and enough power to punish pitchers who just challenge him over the plate, is how he can rack up a BABIP over .370. Arroyo also moved over to third base last year in deference to Brandon Crawford. He was spotty last year learning the position, but has been a plus there this year. It's enough to give him legitimate MVP candidacy.

Arroyo has needed to produce like an MVP because most of San Francisco's hitters are having down years aside from a resurgent Hunter Pence.

Michael Brantley has supplied more power this year, but his batting average is almost .100 points below last year's mark with the Giants. Brandon Belt is down over .100 points in slugging. Eduardo Escobar, Denard Span, and Ehire Adrianza haven't hit, and Buster Posey's obsession to not striking out has sapped his pop.

The Giants still have the fewest errors, one of the best zone ratings, and one of the best ERAs in baseball, but they're a beat behind last year's outrageous numbers.

Fortunately, Madison Bumgarner will take the mound tonight. Bumgarner's ERA, WAR, and WHIP lead the National League by a mile. He hasn't faced the Dodgers yet this year, one reason why the Giants are 1-5 against Los Angeles this year.

On April 27th, the Dodgers scored a run in the ninth and two in the tenth to beat the Giants bullpen as Mark Melancon blew the save. The next day, the Dodgers scored two in the ninth, allowed a run in the bottom of the inning to send it to extra, but then scored five in the tenth to beat the Giants bullpen as Mark Melancon blew the save. On May 6th, the Dodgers scored three in the seventh, one in the eighth, and one in the tenth to come back against the Giants bullpen.

Giants relief pitching is 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA against the Dodgers. Dodgers reliever have a 1.52 ERA against the Giants. That difference has explained much of the Dodgers success against San Francisco. Joc Pederson's utter domination of the Giants would explain the rest. In six games, he has six home runs, 10 driven in, a .429 average and a 1.806 (!!!) OPS. After a strong 2017, Pederson has settled in as a power-hitting star, with only a broken thumb preventing him from challenging for 50+ home runs. He has six home runs this year in 36 at bats against lefties, and has a home run in nine at bats against Bumgarner in his career. If he can do some damage to Bumgarner—or more likely, the Giants bullpen—he'll continue the Dodgers' string of success against San Francisco.


Questions for the GMs:


For Troy Allenbagh, huge deal in trading away Corey Seager. What spurred you to move on from him?

You have an exciting group of outfielders in your minor league system, but Nomar Mazara is a potential MVP-type player. What convinced you to go after an outfielder despite your farm?

Who plays shortstop for you now?

For Samuel Rutledge, last season Mark Melancon almost single-handedly blew the NLCS against the Mets. This year, he's been disastrous against the Dodgers. For all his talents, is he just a choke-artist who can't beat the best teams?

It appears that Buster Posey's power has disappeared. He's still a strong player, but if this continues, does it change your roster building at all?

How relieved are you that with your struggles against the Dodgers this season, Bumgarner is the guy who is on the hill tonight?

[rutledge]

For Samuel Rutledge, last season Mark Melancon almost single-handedly blew the NLCS against the Mets. This year, he's been disastrous against the Dodgers. For all his talents, is he just a choke-artist who can't beat the best teams?


    - It sure does seem like it. I believe he'll come back down to earth some, since a 5.87 ERA is ridiculous. But he choked in the playoffs massively, and he's continued that trend this season. Maybe his days as a closer are over.


It appears that Buster Posey's power has disappeared. He's still a strong player, but if this continues, does it change your roster building at all?


    - After trading Gomez, Posey is set to be my starter until his contract is up. In for the long haul. Power will never be a big need for us, but it is definitely nice to have some - if I have a chance at a power bat, I will definitely consider it a lot more.


How relieved are you that with your struggles against the Dodgers this season, Bumgarner is the guy who is on the hill tonight?

    - Very. Amazing team, and I'm not too fond of my chances with anyone but someone as talented as MadBum. They have everything in their lineup, maybe even too much for the best of the best. Doesn't help that they're also all so young.

[Commissioner Erick]

Giants 4 - Dodgers 0


WP: M. Bumgarner (9-2)
LP: T. Danish (2-4)


On Monday, Madison Bumgarner's pitches were tight. on Monday, Clayton Kershaw's back was tight.

Madison Bumgarner spun a three-hit jewel, Clayton Kershaw couldn't make it out of the second with back stiffness, and the San Francisco Giants shutout the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0.

Kershaw's stuff didn't betray too much discomfort in the first. He retired Christian Arroyo and Austin Slater quickly, was nowhere close on four pitches to Buster Posey, and got Hunter Pence swinging to shut the Giants down in the first. He struck out Brandon Belt to lead off the second, but was really laboring in an at bat against Brandon Crawford, as his attempts to throw two curveballs sailed extremely high. He got through the at bat, getting Crawford to pop up a slider, but that was his last batter.

Tyler Danish came on and was sharp for three innings, but with two outs in the fifth, San Francisco's ground balls started to find holes. Eduardo Escobar singled past Michael de Leon to get the rally started, before a wild pitch moved Escobar to second. Joe Panik slashed a shot through the left side to make it 1-0 Giants. Denard Span grinded out a 10-pitch walk, before Christian Arroyo went with a down-and-away sinker, doubling down the third base line to make it 2-0 Giants.

The Dodgers never came and got Danish despite the severity of the situation. Despite it being early, the Bumgarner was pitching and on his game. Danish faced Austin Slater, got ahead of him 0-2, but couldn't put him away. Slater singled up the middle, two runs scored, Danish's day ended, and functionally so did the Dodgers' day.

Bumgarner was magnificent. He didn't allow a hit until the fourth, when Ian Kinsler singled to lead off the inning. Joc Pederson bunted him over to second, but de Leon, starting for the traded Corey Seager, grounded out to third. Justin Turner struck out to end the threat.

Bumgarner walked one, and struck out nine over his complete game shutout. The Dodgers didn't record an extra base hit, nor did they get a runner past second base. Every hitter aside from Kinsler struck out, and a talented Dodgers' offense was made to look impotent. Only Kinsler, who recorded two of the Dodgers' three hits, could claim to have had a successful day.

While the Giants didn't have an extra base hit either, aside from the softly slapped double by Arroyo, they only struck out four times, and were able to find enough spots on an inning to put runs on the board. No surprise Arroyo was in the middle of it, both driving in and scoring a run. It was also a nice moment that the big hit was driven in by Austin Slater. With Che-Hsuan Lin starting a rehab assignment soon, Slater's days of being an overmatched starter will be ending soon. It was good for him to get a big hit before that happened though.


Questions for the GMs:


For Troy Allenbaugh, with Danish struggling and Bumgarner dealing, was there a moment you wanted to see your bullpen come in during the fifth inning?

In trading Corey Seager, you saw a big downgrade at shortstop. Michael de Leon struggled offensively—not a crime against a player like Bumgarner—but his defense wasn't special either this game. In light of his performance, what will you do at the position moving forward?

Danish didn't pitch too poorly in the game, with few hard his balls to out outfield. How do you assess his performance under tough circumstances?

For Samuel Rutledge, you gave high praise to the Dodgers as a powerhouse team—and then Bumgarner toyed with them. Is he the best pitcher in baseball?

Slater had really struggled this season, yet you had him bat in the second spot against Kershaw. What was the thinking there?

Your team only struck out four times. How important was your team's contact ability in putting together runs in the fifth?

[rutledge]

For Samuel Rutledge, you gave high praise to the Dodgers as a powerhouse team—and then Bumgarner toyed with them. Is he the best pitcher in baseball?


     - I definitely believe he is the best in the league at the moment. Showing up in big games, while being the far and away Cy Young front-runner.


Slater had really struggled this season, yet you had him bat in the second spot against Kershaw. What was the thinking there?


    - Despite his struggles, I still think he could be a very productive hitter with his discipline and pop. I was just trying him out there, as this team doesn't have any clear #2 hitter.


Your team only struck out four times. How important was your team's contact ability in putting together runs in the fifth?

    - This offense's success is almost always largely dependent on our contact ability. If we're striking out, it means we're not putting balls in play, which is one of our few strengths. With out balls in play, you have to depend on power, and we have none of that. 

[dodgerstroy]

Questions for the GMs:


For Troy Allenbaugh, with Danish struggling and Bumgarner dealing, was there a moment you wanted to see your bullpen come in during the fifth inning?

In trading Corey Seager, you saw a big downgrade at shortstop. Michael de Leon struggled offensively—not a crime against a player like Bumgarner—but his defense wasn't special either this game. In light of his performance, what will you do at the position moving forward?

Danish didn't pitch too poorly in the game, with few hard his balls to out outfield. How do you assess his performance under tough circumstances?

We had moved Danish to the long relief role because he has had issues the 2nd time through the lineup. In meetings with the Pitching Coach and the Manager it was made clear to use our excellent bullpen wisely. They didn't make a good choice keeping him out there for that inning. THe front office has decided to put a pitch count on Danish to prevent this in the future.

The Dodgers organization had become frustrated with Corey Seagers performance in the field, he was late getting to balls and we feel he was starting to worry more about hitting for power and not working on his speed and flexibility. We were hoping to move him out of Los Angeles before other GM's started to see what we were seeing on a daily basis. In return we received 2 great players (Profar and Mazara) who will anchor the lineup for years. As for De Leon, we have full confidence in the young man and we believe he is a strong competitor and hungry to be our starter. He had 11 hits in his first week as a replacement for Seager, we feel the drop-off will not be much.