Oldman's 5* Selection For Friday 9/14/12

oldmanTED said:

Well, here we are with 19 games to play and the Giants are comfortably ahead of the Dodgers by 7.5 games in the NL West. As the Dodgers fight for their lives against St. Louis to try and get the last playoff spot plus pay all the salaries of their mega deals, San Francisco continues to win at a nice consistent pace, particularly on the road. Tonight they open a 3 game series in Arizona, and I suspect with the extra days rest, Matt Cain to be very sharp tonight. Hope many of you are holding your futures on the Giants I recommended a number of months back. If their starting rotation can sharpen and tighten up during the remainder of the regular season, they should be extremely formidable in the post season.

Year To Date Record: (9-13)(-15.86)

5* (2-4)(-12.20)
1* (7-9)(-3.66)

5* San Francisco -130

Good luck everyone!

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r.a. said:

Would be very helpful if they got past the first post season series and got Melky Cabrera back ... he was hitting the cover off the ball. Apparently, with a little medicinal help.

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oldmanTED said:

I have to cordially disagree! Bringing back Cabrera in the middle of the post season would ruin the chemistry the Giants have going. The way he left, by emptying his locker, and not even saying good bye to his fellow team mates showed no class. The Giants management have little interest in bringing him back. They don't need him. Their line-up has been scoring plenty of runs and with a line-up of Pagan, Scutaro, Sandoval, Posey, Pence, Belt, Crawford and Blanco, that has raised their batting averages significantly since the departure of Cabrera, runs won't be an issue in the post season. Their starters just have to sharpen up a bit as their bullpen is very solid.

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leftymoney said:

gl today!looks like a solid play

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r.a. said:

It's funny how time heals all wounds. If the guy was hitting .250 they probably wouldn't bring him back. The fact is he was hitting .346 and I would be shocked if all wasn't forgiven and forgotten. The guy was the most valuable player in the all-star game and had a shot at being NL MVP. He'll be on their roster if they make it past the first round.

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Murphy8276 said:

gl tonight OMT :toast:

-murph

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oldmanTED said:

I have followed this team since 1958 and know them like the back of my hand. This is a better team then the 2010 World Champions. Management has no interest in Cabrera and there has been no communication. He was hitting .346 and was the NL MVP in the all-star game but he is likely not in game shape anymore and inserting him into a line-up that feeds off itself would upset the apple cart. I hope they make the second round, so we'll find out. Teams win when they are a close knit group with great team chemistry. The Giants have that without Cabrera. The Dodgers are an example of sticking players in thinking you can win with names. Sports just doesn't work that way.

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new hope said:

bol

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r.a. said:

I lived in the bay area for fourteen years and watched a lot of Giant games. I am not quite as effusive as you are about this team. Cain and Baumgarner are first rate pitchers but Lincecum has been an enigma and no where close to his Cy Young form. Their bullpen has done a nice job but it will miss a Brian Wilson in the playoffs. Unlike you I am not sure they have the fire power to handle the Reds or Washington. Nonetheless, it will be curious to see what they do if they get past the first round. Do like your pick for tonight as Cain has historically been very good vs. Arizona.

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NoSprint said:

OMT loves his Giants....On em myself. Good luck Old Man...Salute.

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douglas said:

Good luck my friend ...........hope all is well .

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oldmanTED said:

I hear you! I share similiar concerns! The starting rotation has been tired at times even Bumgarner and Vogelsong of late. Linecum is working awfully hard but somehow keeping runs off the board even though not having complete command. Zito pitches one good outing but then is tired for the next. Cain is the steadiest of all but will give up anywhere from 1 to 3 runs on an average start. The 2010 pitching staff had a 1.66 ERA from August through October which is why they were able to beat Atlanta 3-1, Philadelphia 4-2 and Texas 4-1 on their way to becoming champions, but that team didn't nearly have the current hot hitting that this team has going at the moment. That is why I said earlier in this thread, the starting rotation must improve to advance in the playoffs. As for not having a single closer, ie Brian Wilson, I agree that would be the best scenario but Bochy has been doing a great job of using Adfeldt, Castillo, Lopez and Romo as the situation dictates. Believe me, in the best of 5 series that looks likely to be against the Reds, it won't be easy at all. If they can get through that first round and into a 7 game series, let's say against Washington without Strasburg, I think they have a decent chance. And with all that said, I believe the team that wins the NL Pennant wins the World Series as I don't see one team in the AL with the pitching, hitting and defensive balance of Washington, Cincinnati or San Francisco.

Glad you like tonight's play. Best of luck to you! :toast:

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r.a. said:

Like everyone here have great respect for your insights ... no hyperbole just great information.

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