[lex24]

I think mcGee needs to throw the slider more often. It's not bad but he obviously doesn't trust it as an out pitch. His fastball has little movement. He probably won't be around next year. But he has been effective and Santos is suspended and Castro is at least a year away. So Kapler sticks with him.

Something like 32 pitchers this year. It's not like they haven't had auditions.

What about the guy who started yesterday and finished today against he Rockies?  Leone?

And Giants, is 2.81 ERA for a closer good (I know it's not great).

In my opinion, ERA is not a good stat to use to determine the effectiveness of a reliever.  

For example, if they come into a game with a couple guys on, give up two runs but close out the inning, they post a 0.00 ERA but do not do their job. A better stat is % of base runners inherited who score.  

Also, because they don’t pitch a lot of innings, one bad outing can skew their stats unfavorably.  For example, pitcher X gives up 5 runs in a third of an inning followed by perfect performances over the next ten games totaling 8 innings.  His ERA is 5.40 but his record is 0-1 with 10 saves.  

Conversely, pitcher Y gives up three runs in three games (1 inning pitched in each game), costing his team three losses.  Otherwise, he is fine over the next eight games, pitching 8 innings beautifully.  His ERA is 2.45 but his record is 0-3 with eight saves.  

I’ll take pitcher X every time……

ERA is not necessarily telling for a reliever. WHIP, which I posted is more telling. As is going two months without giving up a run. Strikeout walk ratio  is another thing I look at. McGee’s is excellent.

McGee is dominant at times. But his usage is a question. When overused he has trouble getting his fastball up in the zone. Where he is most effective. BTW, hitters DO know what’s coming with McGee. A 4 seam fastball.

McGee has been good this year by any measure. Not great. As I said he’s not Josh Hader. But he’s solid.

---

Posey went 2/5 with a home run and a double.  Slump over?

BC

Maybe. Maybe he got a shot, doesn't hurt so much, and can hit again. Maybe he just got over whatever it was. If it was the former, the question is how long can they prop him up for the 24 remaining games. I am not sure what is legal, but I am sure the training staff knows what the boundaries are.

He goes into slumps at times like anyone else.  He’s 34. Not 50.  I don’t think they have been “propping him up” this year.  He’s been relatively healthy. Thumb and knee may have contributed a bit to the slump. Who knows.

[lex24]

I think mcGee needs to throw the slider more often. It's not bad but he obviously doesn't trust it as an out pitch. His fastball has little movement. He probably won't be around next year. But he has been effective and Santos is suspended and Castro is at least a year away. So Kapler sticks with him.

Something like 32 pitchers this year. It's not like they haven't had auditions.

What about the guy who started yesterday and finished today against he Rockies?  Leone?

And Giants, is 2.81 ERA for a closer good (I know it's not great).

In my opinion, ERA is not a good stat to use to determine the effectiveness of a reliever.  

For example, if they come into a game with a couple guys on, give up two runs but close out the inning, they post a 0.00 ERA but do not do their job. A better stat is % of base runners inherited who score.  

Also, because they don’t pitch a lot of innings, one bad outing can skew their stats unfavorably.  For example, pitcher X gives up 5 runs in a third of an inning followed by perfect performances over the next ten games totaling 8 innings.  His ERA is 5.40 but his record is 0-1 with 10 saves.  

Conversely, pitcher Y gives up three runs in three games (1 inning pitched in each game), costing his team three losses.  Otherwise, he is fine over the next eight games, pitching 8 innings beautifully.  His ERA is 2.45 but his record is 0-3 with eight saves.  

I’ll take pitcher X every time……

ERA is not necessarily telling for a reliever. WHIP, which I posted is more telling. As is going two months without giving up a run. Strikeout walk ratio  is another thing I look at. McGee’s is excellent.

McGee is dominant at times. But his usage is a question. When overused he has trouble getting his fastball up in the zone. Where he is most effective. BTW, hitters DO know what’s coming with McGee. A 4 seam fastball.

McGee has been good this year by any measure. Not great. As I said he’s not Josh Hader. But he’s solid.

---

Posey went 2/5 with a home run and a double.  Slump over?

BC

Maybe. Maybe he got a shot, doesn't hurt so much, and can hit again. Maybe he just got over whatever it was. If it was the former, the question is how long can they prop him up for the 24 remaining games. I am not sure what is legal, but I am sure the training staff knows what the boundaries are.

He goes into slumps at times like anyone else.  He’s 34. Not 50.  I don’t think they have been “propping him up” this year.  He’s been relatively healthy. Thumb and knee may have contributed a bit to the slump. Who knows.