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STARTING SLOW
Things haven’t exactly gone as planned for the Giants in the early 2024 season.
A hitting slump and poor pitching have all contributed to an unexpectedly bad start. Are the same problems that bedeviled the Giants last season returned, only with a new cast of characters?
The Snell Factor
Blake Snell lost his first two starts and is hardly looking like a Cy Young winner. He got lit up in Tampa after giving up a pair of homers and seven earned runs. But Snell had no spring training as the Giants signed him a couple of weeks before the season started so he will probably have another rough outing or two before he starts to play like he should play. Regardless, the Giants need him to be at peak level this year if they want to make a run at the playoffs. Snell will probably be the pitcher the Giants expected he would be when they signed him. He is just too good to fail.
Logan Webb Looking Good, as are Hicks and Harrison
Logan Webb finally got the hitting support he rarely received last year when the Giants offense came to life with an 11-run outburst against Tampa Bay which featured four homers. Meanwhile, Jordan Hicks and the hard-throwing rookie lefty, Kyle Harrison, are both giving us hope for the season to come. Hicks has been the Giants’ best starter in the early season with a fastball that tops off in the low 100s (he was converted from being a reliever). If his arm doesn’t fall off, we expect to see a lot from him. When Robbie Ray joins the rotation after the All-Star break -- he’s rehabbing from Tommy John surgery -- the Giants could have the strongest starting rotation in the National League. On top of that, Camilo Doval gives the Giants one of the best closers in the game when he’s focused – maybe the problem is not enough closing opportunities.
I’d talk about the rest of the bullpen, but they (including the Rodgers brothers) haven’t showed much yet, which is probably why Melvin let himself get tossed out of a game in Tampa – frustration. Guys, you are better than that!
The Issue, which shouldn’t be an issue – is hitting.
Two of the Giants’ new three regulars in their everyday starting lineup seem caught in the twilight zone. Both Soler and Chapman are collectively hitting close to the Mendoza Line. It seems like hitting with men on base is a lost art for the Giants. We expect better from Chapman, Conforto and Solar and the rest of the boppers. Will they get cured by hitting at home during the next two weeks? Watch and see, and maybe look for the guys waiting up in Sacramento (is it time for Schmitt, Matos, and Ramos to make an appearance?).
The Snakes and the Mets – both hovering around .500 expecting to break out.
This upcoming home series is important from many perspectives. The Mets are 7 and 8 in the NL East and the Snakes are 8 and 8 (and one game in front of the G-Men) in the NL West. When Arizona comes into town, we will see Corbin Carroll (maybe the fastest man in baseball), Ketal Marte, and Christian Walker, all of whom are hot this early in the season, and the Snakes ace (1.34 ERA), Zac Gallen. The Giants need this series to be taken seriously and it’s not too early to start climbing the ladder in the division.
The Mets want to make a statement in the NL East. When they come into town we will see Harrison Bader (late of the Brewers, I caught one of his foul balls), Pete Alanzo (starting his season with a display of raw power) and Brett Baty. The G-Men match up well with the Mets and this will be a fun series.
On the board ready to be picked up are lots of tickets:
THUR 4/18 – [6:45] Snakes – [4]
FRI 4/19 – [7:15] Snakes – [3] – I’m going.
SAT 4/20 [1:05] Snakes – [4] – Patrick Bailey Bobblehead
MON 4/22 [6:45] Mets – [3] – I’m going
TUES 4/23 [6:45] Mets – [4]
WED 4/24 [12:45] Mets – [4]
Let the torture continue!
Ciao, and GO GIANTS!
The Czar
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THE PROTOCOL: The firm has four seats in Section 118 (Premium Lower Boxes), Rows 25 and 26. These are awesome seats directly below the press box and 25 rows behind home plate on the left side behind the screen. It is foul ball territory for left-handed batters so bring your glove – I have collected 22 foul balls myself over 23 years and am looking for more. If we don’t use all the tickets ourselves (or clients and friends of the firm don't claim them by calling me and reserving a game), then my next step is to give the tickets TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO GETS BACK TO ME PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE SERIOUS. If you ask for the tickets and don't use them, you will be taken off the list unless there is a seriously good reason. There will be a wait list.
When there are four seats available (we split up a lot of games) we will allocate the tickets two and two if the first people back just want two tickets. You can also go for four and might get them. I'm the Czar, my call.
Oh, and BTW, The Czar found the original Hinman & Carmichael brick from 2000 (after looking for it every year since 2000) and found H&C’s Gotham Club Founders Bat! If you are on the patio, or in the Club, look for the symbols of baseball!
