Melky Cabrera – Giantspod

SF Giants lineup: Sandoval returns, Pagan still out

Thomas Todd — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:04:01 +0000

Pablo Sandoval is in Bruce Bochy’s lineup tonight against Toronto after missing three games with a strain in his foot. The Panda missed the entire series in St. Louis, with Joaquin Arias and Nick Noonan holding down the duties at third base. The initial diagnosis had the Giants entertaining the possibility of keeping Sandoval out for an extra week, so it’s worth keeping an eye on how he moves around tonight.

While Panda’ return is a surprise, so is Angel Pagan’s continued absence from the lineup with a hamstring/knee injury. The Giants center fielder has been out for 10 days, with an MRI showing bursitis in his knee. It has been a frustrating waiting game, with words from Bochy that Pagan may have been available to pinch hit in certain games. A trip to the disabled list at this point seems useless, but keep in mind the Giants will remain a position player down on their bench.

Andres Torres has started in left field in every game since in Pagan’s absence, and has been productive across those eight games. The 35-year-old has posted a .310/.375/.379 in that span, but funnily enough has not scored any of the 12 times he has reached base.

Brandon Belt returns to the starting lineup with right-hander Josh Johnson on the mound. In what has become an obvious platoon, the young first baseman sat Sunday in favor of Brett Pill with lefty Tyler Lyons on the mound. Hat tip to Grant Brisbee from McCovey Chronicles, who pointed out that Belt has started just once against a lefty with Pill on the roster. He also noted that Belt notched the game winning hit on Sunday, a seventh-inning double, against left-handed Randy Choate. It may take some time, but the Giants should eventually notice that Belt hits lefties better than Pill despite the side of the plate from which they bat.

The first game action Giants fans will see at AT&T Park will be Tim Lincecum facing Melky Carbrera. The former Giants will bat leadoff in his return to AT&T Park, where he spent most of a season ravaging its alleys and inspiring fans to dress up like idiots. Or the other way around, I suppose. The Giants already saw Melky three weeks ago, with Bochy handing over the World Series ring he earned for being on the 2012 squad. Cabrera was 5-8 in the two-game set in Toronto, showing flashes of what made him great as a Giant. Overall though, he is hitting just .281/.325/.373 in 2013, nothing like his 2011 season in Kansas City or last year’s blistering performance.

Here’s the lineup for today against Johnson (0-1, 6.86 ERA):

CF Blanco

2B Scutaro

3B Sandoval

C Posey

RF Pence

1B Belt

LF Torres

SS Crawford

RHP Lincecum (3-5, 5.12 ERA)

Episode 89: X Gon’ Give It To Ya

Daniel Zarchy — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 00:21:33 +0000

The Joaquin Arias of first base. Photo by Bill Zarchy.

Episode 89: X Gon’ Give It To YaÂ is out!

In the eighty-ninth episode, Thomas and Danny reunite to talk about Melky Cabrera’s suspension, the Dodgers’ ridiculous trade with the Red Sox, September callups, Brandon Belt, Joaquin Arias and Tim Lincecum.

Click on the image below to find it on iTunes:

You can also find it on theÂ RSS feed, or by clicking on the play button below. We look forward to your feedback, either by commenting here on the blog, emailing us atÂ giantspod@gmail.com, or ourÂ Twitter feed.

Go Giants!

Episode 87: Between a Talk and a Hardball

Daniel Zarchy — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:00:43 +0000

Best shape of his life. Photo by Bill Zarchy.


Episode 87: Between a Talk and a HardballÂ is out!

In the eighty-seventh episode, Thomas and Danny talk with Craig Calcaterra of Hardball Talk on NBC Sports about the Giants, possible deadline trades, the Dodgers’ new additions, the 2010 playoffs, and recovering lawyers.

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Go Giants!

Episode 84: Santiago Ca-See-Ya

Daniel Zarchy — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 02:27:19 +0000





Episode 84: Santiago Ca-See-YaÂ is out!

In the eighty-fourth episode, Thomas and Danny talk with Wendy Thurm about the Giants, playoff hopes, Brandon Belt, the bullpen, and much more, and speak with Chris Faina of LND Apparel about their new MelkMen t-shirt.

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Go Giants!

Episode 82: That’s What My Wife Drinks

Daniel Zarchy — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 03:31:05 +0000



Episode 82: That’s What My Wife DrinksÂ is out!

In the eighty-second episode, Thomas and Danny talk with fellow blogger Scott Willis about the All-Star Game, first-half recaps, more Tim Lincecum talk, Gregor Blanco, and the bullpen situation. And beer.

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Go Giants!

Episode 81: Kansas City Shuffle

Daniel Zarchy — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 20:14:24 +0000




Episode 81: Kansas City ShuffleÂ is out!

In the eighty-first episode, Thomas and Danny talk about the four Giants on the All-Star team, the ridiculousness of it all, Brad Penny’s call-up, the shutout streak and sweep against the Dodgers, and FIRST PLACE.

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Go Giants!

Episode 79: Texas Cainsaw Massacre

Daniel Zarchy — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 19:28:51 +0000

$Texas

Episode 79: Texas Cainsaw MassacreÂ is out!

In the seventy-ninth episode, Thomas and Danny break their non-podcasting streak to talk about Pablo Sandoval’s return, Ryan Vogelsong’s continued dominance, Brett Pill’s designation for assignment, Theriot’s hot streak, and a visit from Dr. Todd.

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Go Giants!

Episode 75: BeltzRgood

Daniel Zarchy — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:20:30 +0000

Remember that time Brandon Belt was on the field?


Episode 75: BeltzRgoodÂ is out!

In the seventy-fifth episode, Thomas and Danny talk to Padres correspondent Levon about the series win, Aubrey Huff’s trip to the DL, Angel Pagan’s hitting streak, Brandon Belt’s disappearance, and Buster Posey.

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Go Giants!

Episode 73: Et tu, Overbay?

Daniel Zarchy — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Episode 73: Et tu, Overbay?Â is out!

In the seventy-third episode, Thomas and Danny climb down off the 0-3 ledge, complain about surprisingly poor pitching, delight in surprisingly good hitting, and figure out who the 70th best reliever in the National League is.

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Go Giants!

Episode 71: Got Any Hitters? Go Fish!

Daniel Zarchy — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:30:03 +0000

What will be Brandon Belt's role in 2012?


Episode 71: Got Any Hitters? Go Fish!Â is out!

In the seventy-first episode, Thomas and Danny talk with Grantland.com writer Jonah Keri about his 2012 Giants preview, the infield situation, Matt Cain’s true worth,Â Brandon Belt’s quest for playing time, and why Giants fans should be angry with the Front Office.

Click on the image below to find it on iTunes:

Go Giants!