During the regular season, there was a huge drop off in effectiveness when he would pitch with the bases empty (i.e., from the windup) versus with runners on base (i.e., from the stretch).

Or he could come in as a reliever following Zito. Going from lefty to righty early in the game can frustrate Matheny's attempt to maximize platoon advantage in the formation of his starting lineup.

Going from lefty to righty early in the game can frustrate Matheny's attempt to maximize platoon advantage in the formation of his starting lineup.

I don't think Matheny is going to change his starting lineup, regardless of the handedness of the pitcher.

The only person on that bench who could conceivably start a game is Matt Carpenter, and he's their best PH option as well as a great candidate for double-switching as he can play all four corners and 2b in a pinch.

In fact, the Cardinal's roster construction for the postseason is a little dangerous.

Right - Ideally you might start Carpenter at 2B and Descalso at SS against a RH pitcher, and bring in Kozma late in the game for defense if you have the lead,

Is their something about this role that is working better for Lincecum? Does he get a start in this series?

Descalso isn't that much of a better hitter than Kozma, and it seems unlikely his defense is better, not sure why you would want to do that.

I agree Schumaker is a better hitter than Descalso (though not lately!). But don't you think he gives away as much on defense (vs. Descalso) as you gain on offense? Certainly no one would think of putting Schumaker at SS, while Descalso seems adequate there.

I haven't seen any interviews with him about it, but Linceucm doesn't seem to be put out at all to be in the bullpen. That's pretty heady stuff for a two-time Cy Young winner.

GB. You should have something about the Jeff Leondard/Ozzie Smith era playoffs on there. It was mentioned last night when talking about Jeffrey Leonard winning the MVP even though he was on the losing side.

nitpick.... Leonard/Ozzie Smith era is a Giant/Cardinal reference, not just a Cardinals reference.

The Cardinals' anal raping of the playoffs needs to continue!

comments like these are why everybody hates us!

Grateful Dead... and Tim Flannery....

That's... unusual.

They showed the Hunter Pence pep speech in the pregame show.

I don't care very much, but I do wonder how this game will draw against MNF.

Yeah, someone needs to get a ball in the ribs for that, I'd say.

Beltran being at the plate (and the showing of the "most NL postseason homers" graphic) makes me wonder: How does one earn the designation "Future Hall of Famer?" Is there a petition we can sign to give this label to someone like Beltran? Would it help if we just start using it amongst ourselves?

This is why we hate the Cardinals.

Indeed. He almost hit the bag.

That play couldn't have been any dirtier. He left his feet to dive OVER the bag at Scutaro's knee. It's.one thing to slide hard through the bag; this was entirely different. Never even attempted to make contact with the base.

Somewhere in the world, a game of doubles tennis is being televised for those folks who don't like baseball.

That play couldn't have been any dirtier. He left his feet to dive OVER the bag at Scutaro's knee. It's.one thing to slide hard through the bag; this was entirely different. Never even attempted to make contact with the base.

I'm sure you'll also applaud Vogelsong's hustle when he puts a ball in Holliday's ear-hole. Just as much a part of the game.

except the fact of him actually making contact with the bag. If you meant not actually attempting to stop on the bag, not sure that is required.

So you're admitting your weirdly shrill comment about me not liking baseball makes no sense, as I advocated reciprocation?

The rule says you have to be able to make contact to the bag as the runner, right? You should not be able to run past the bag, then start your slide just to do the takeout, what is the 2b supposed to do to protect himself? Does the ump have any latitude on an interference call there?

On KNBR radio, Mike Krukow is crowing about Holliday using unnecessary roughness in his take-out slide. And Duane Kuiper, not known for being a delicate flower, is saying how that was a borderline dirty slide. Of course, there could be homerism at play also.

77. esseff Posted: October 15, 2012 at 08:28 PM (#4271687)
Giants' fans might want to go to the 4-minute mark of this clip.

No, you #######, I'm chiding you for your passive-agressive whining about the way the game has been played for the past century. The idea that a hard slide into second is worthy of touching off a beanball war is just another bit of idiocy.

GUFFAW. (BTW, the ribs are in the torso.)

he started the slide before the bag, so I don't see how what you are asking applies here.

If there was a commercial where Pandas rapped about car insurance, that would be better than most WS ads.

C'mon, you mean to say that going to an alicia Keys concert doesn't automatically make you interesting?

It was absolutely a dirty slide. But it was also within the rules.

No, he didn't. He didn't go down until he was over the bag. His first contact with the base was on the far side of the bag; he didn't actually make contact with the dirt on his slide until he was beyond the bag.

Apparently it's not just Giants fans who need to watch that video esseff posted.