Poll: What Did you Learn About the Giants?
Posted by Pat Gallen, Mon, August 08, 2011 11:05 AM | Comments: 19
Analysis, News, Opinion, Poll, Posts
After taking 3 of 4 from the San Francisco Giants over the weekend, the Phillies made a bit of a statement that they are, in fact, the team to beat, not only in the National League, but across the Major Leagues.
Leave it to Tim Lincecum to strike a bit of fear into the hearts of the fan base, as his continued domination of the club rehashed awful memories of the NLCS in 2010.
Overall, though, the Phillies have a more balanced and talented club. You could see that over the past four days in San Francisco. Many hoped for a split in this series, and the Phillies provided more.
Where do you stand? What did you learn from this weekends game? Has the concern been wiped away completely, replaced by a new found positivity when it comes to the Phillis/Giants rivalry? Or, is there still part of you (or all of you) that worries about seeing Tim Lincecum a bunch of times in a series?
Andrew Baggarly, a beat writer for the San Jose Mercury News, said the Phillies outclassed the Giants this past weekend, but it changed nothing about the dynamic of the rivalry.
Vote on the poll and comment below to let us know where you stand.
Posts: 0 Nick
Lincecum is the only one the Phillies haven’t solved. Even with the game they played yesterday, if little Roy had been on his game, they’d probably have scored either nothing or one run at most. Apples to Apples, the Phillies have a better 1-3 (and 4, if we add that in) in the rotation, so pitching matchups are slightly tilted in our favor. There’s not even a contest in offense, especially since the addition of Pence.
I’m not terrified of the Giants, but they were the Cinderella story last year, and they managed to get through a powerful Braves team, and then they silenced the Phillies. Anything can happen, and they do have pitchers who can shut down a great offense, so there is still a little bit of worry. Either way, go D-Backs.
Posted: 11:36 AM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 glenn
If Lincecum pitched every game in the playoff’s then I’d be worried. Otherwise, as Eskin would say, “if you’re scared, get a dog”!!
Posted: 05:23 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 2599 Chuck A.
And they really didn’t “solve” Cain either. It’s just that Cole was a little bit better that day.
Posted: 12:07 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 Team to Beat
This was absolutely not the team that won the WS last year. Instead, it proved the Giants are still the flukiest team to win the World Series since, well, I don’t know in how long. They are one of three teams in the majors with a negative run differential and winning record (Detroit and Cleveland).
They don’t scare me. They can’t score and they won’t be able to bail out a pitcher if they suffer a bad start. We saw them lose with Bumgarner’s and Cain’s gems this series. They are a joke and will be fun to bounce in the playoffs.
teamtobeat.wordpress.com
Posted: 12:25 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 Ryan H.
bottom line is the giants are a two player team. cain and lincecum. they have nothing else. maybe wilson. but he’s hittable at times too. they have absolutely putrid offense. just straight up terrible. and they did last year too when guys like cody ross and edgar renteria came out of the crypt to get huge clutch hits at the right times. that’s not likely to happen again. it wasn’t likely to happen once. their beating of the phillies last year was A TOTAL FLUKE!.
Posted: 12:32 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 Bart Shart
They are a good competitive team. Their offense is misfiring. They do have players who have hit in the past and they may be firing on all cylinders during the post-season, if they make the post season. Their starting pitching, especially Cain and Lincecum, are very, very good.
Posted: 12:57 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 3570 Lefty
We won 3, and they won 1, it sounds good to be able to say that. But the winning run for one of our wins was a due to a passed ball. I wouldn’t call that “outclassing” them. We are the best team in baseball, but like every other dominant team, there always seems to be a couple of teams that give us fits despite the record.
What I learned is that despite the fact we are the better team, and despite the Giants hitting stats, they are still a thorn in our side. If one passed ball is erased, this easily could have been a split. IMO this is simply not a good matchup for us in the playoffs. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the Diamondbacks can overtake them. Don’t misunderstand, I’m confident we can beat them, but it would be nice if the fates allow the Dbacks to somehow win that division.
Posted: 01:09 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 14 arminius
I agree with you Lefty! The Giants are the one team that scares me. Their good pitching is enough it seems to shut our line up down. When you have close games, mistakes often decide them.
Posted: 01:55 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 3570 Lefty
Completely O.T.- This from the Phillies website-
“Polanco returned to Philadelphia for an MRI exam scheduled for Monday. Polanco has soreness in his left hip, a problem he said Saturday he has had for a month, but has not received treatment for.”
Anyone else question the wisdom of having a guy on the DL to heal his back, and not giving him treatment for a month long hip problem while they are at it?
Posted: 01:18 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 Bart Shart
Lefty —- excellent point.
Posted: 01:20 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 Lefty
Thank you for that Bart and the George Brett answer from last night as well!
Posted: 02:21 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 2599 Chuck A.
Yeah, in re: Polanco…..there’s a fish rotting somewhere…
Posted: 01:25 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
The Giants offensive numbers for the Giants maybe be bad, but like some post pointed out they can hit some time. And if these two teams make the playoffs the games will be close and low scoring. It is going to depend on who gets the timly hits, and group hits together. Against a team like the Giants the Phillies cn not go 1-8 with runners in scoring position. I do not put a lot on a series in August because the teams will be playing diffeent if they meet in October. Saying that I think the Phillies did show they could come into San Fran and win. And I am sorry but the giants winning the WS last year was not a fluke. They had timely hitting and pitched really good. I know we as fans do not see it, but in 08 the Phillies had Cole Hamels and a lights out bull pen. And got timely hits from guys who were not the stars of the team and a guy who was not even on the team at the trade dead line in Stairs. So please give them some crredit for beating the Phillies and a real good Ranger team to win the WS. i do not like the Giants but I respect the tilte of WS champs
Posted: 01:51 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 Mike In Prospect
I learned that, same as last year, the Phillies won’t be able to beat Lincecum until they become more patient at the plate. Cain was about as good a Hamels, same as when they played here, same score, different outcome. Phillies didn’t play against Vogelsong, and Giants didn’t face Halladay. That being said, Cliff Lee shut them down, Vance Worley shut them down (same as the series here in Philly) and Oswalt didn’t pitch all that badly for his first start back from the DL. I’m pretty confident that the Phils can take the Giants in the playoffs, whether it be the divisional series or the NLCS this season. Even moreso, if the Phils will just wait on a good pitch from Lincecum. Even though he pitches for the Giants, I like the kid. He reminds me of the little kid that pitched in the movie “Rookie Of The Year”.
Posted: 06:22 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 Billp
Pitching was great…went to the game on saturday. Still worried because Howard cannot hit good pitching. He looked awful with a lot of chances to change the games. Not much confidence in him in the playoffs. I’m glad they got Pence. You notice they only scored one run the game he didn’t get a hit?
Posted: 06:42 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 bob weissman
The Phillies addition of hunter Pence makes the club a complete team. His addition makes the starting team and bench much better. The Giants are a good ballclub, and they don’t beat themselves. I hope the Phills meet the Giants in the playoffs, it will make for some exciting baseball and I think the guys from Philly will win. If they can avoid injuries they’ll take the Sox in 6.
Posted: 07:09 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 20 tyROBasaurus
The Giants still scare me. Some bullet points:
– We jumped on Bumgarner early with those homers, then he controlled us the rest of the way. We can probably get to him in the playoffs regardless of who’s pitching for us.
– We rocked Sanchez, but may not see him as a playoff starter, especially in a short series.
– Cain was dominant, only allowing 1 earned run. The only reason we won was because of an unearned run. Luckily Cole was equally as dominant and that unearned run held up.
– Lincecum owns us. In a playoff game, I don’t see how our offense can eek one out. We only beat him if our starter is damn near perfect.
On paper, we took 3 out of 4. It felt like a split for me. There was dominant pitching at times on both sides, but when the Phillies offense is struggling they look completely helpless, especially against the Giants. In a short series, the Giants win. In the NLCS, we have a better chance to get to their #3 & #4. That series would go 7 and could go either way.
What is up with Phillies fans and their borderline delusional feeling that everything will always be OK? It wasn’t OK in the NLCS last season and the Giants are still terrifying. They are the ONLY NL team that scares me even a little bit. Their 1 & 2 own us, and our 1 & 2 can’t always be perfect. I say GO DBACKS, I want *NO* part of the Giants the rest of the way.
Posted: 09:55 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
Good points. espc about Bumgarner, who I think is going to be good for a very, very long time. I think people think everything’s gonna be ok cause we outscored the giants in the NLCS last year, but lost . . . their offense looks to be worse… our pitching looks to be better … etc
Posted: 10:03 PM on August 8, 2011
Posts: 0 BobS
I also am concerned about seeing the Giants again. They actually outhit the Phils over the 4 games by two or three hits. Granted we had a much higher total base count on hits than they did, but that team made contact and put the ball in play. Panda is their only legit long ball threat until Pat the Bat comes back. I dont see Ross hitting homers and for average again but Scheirholtz worries me. They will look to steal a game in philly with Lincecum and follow last years formula. The Phils need to clobber Lincecum or Cain one time out there just to get into their heads.
Posted: 11:37 PM on August 8, 2011