When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

05.03.2007
Prephiew

Once in a while someone pens a novel that’s missing a letter. Usually the writer is French, as denying oneself the use of a letter speaks to the existential void we all face on the cusp of creation. Because, as we all know, the French are either busy overturning cars in the impoverished Parisian suburbs, drinking coffee from tiny cups, surrendering, or pondering their navels. That’s it. Nothing else.

Nearly as frightening as a day without cheese is a post about the Phillies without the substitution of “ph” for every “f.” I must will myself not to do it. The need is deep, I pheel feel its pull, but I will steel my lipogrammatic spine and press —– ngh! ugh! — forward.

Like the Giants, the Phils were nearly written off for dead two weeks into the season, but they’ve rebounded. The much-derided move of starter Brett Myers to the bullpen has actually worked. We may see him try to close this weekend, as closer Tom Gordon is having his shoulder examined.

Jimmy Rollins is doing a fair Barry Bonds impression, Ryan Howard is not, but the rest of the Phillie lineup is pretty thorny, especially with Aaron Rowand playing out of his mind at the moment.

The Phils’ rotation runs from the ridiculous to the sublime, and the Giants will see them in that order: Eaton tonight, Hamels Sunday. In between it’s Jamie Moyer v. Matt Morris and Jon Lieber v. Noah Lowry.

We’ll see how long the latest lineup wrinkle lasts. Bochy has flip-flopped the hot-hitting Randy Winn and Omar Vizquel, or at least said he would starting tonight. Any time a 40–year-old starts so poorly — .221/.267/.263  — you can’t but wonder if the inevitable decline has begun. Is there an injury we don’t know about? If Vizquel is out for any length of time, the Giants infield defense would be in trouble. Aurilia as an everyday SS is a bad idea, and Kevin Frandsen would be a significant downgrade on offense and defense, at least compared to the Omar of the past two years.

With an eye on career numbers v. Adam Eaton, here is tonight’s lineup prediction:

  1. Roberts CF
  2. Winn RF
  3. Aurilia 3B
  4. Bonds LF
  5. Durham 2B
  6. Sweeney 1B
  7. Molina C
  8. Vizquel SS
  9. Cain P
Also on the Network:



[May 3, 2007 5:03 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

insider info: I guarantee YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS SUNDAY NIGHT'S GAME ON ESPN vs PHILLY. will discuss more later.

[May 3, 2007 5:28 PM]  |  link  |  reply
someguynamedg said

No way. If they bring HIM up its the greatest PR move the Giants have ever made. Its being called "the perfect game". Ohh how perfect it could be......

[May 3, 2007 5:45 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM said

Hey you kids, stop smoking crack in my comments!

[May 3, 2007 5:54 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

I said, "I GUARANTEE!!"

[May 3, 2007 6:02 PM]  |  link  |  reply
G said

Or your name isnt George Zimmer.... I'm sorry lefty but I do enjoy the crack from time to time. Especially when it invovles the Franchise

[May 3, 2007 6:40 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

I'll tell you the entire story l a t e r but can't right now but start getting Fired up. HUMMBABY!

[May 3, 2007 7:00 PM]  |  link  |  reply
G said

I hope this isn't just because he is marked inactive on the Grizz website.

[May 3, 2007 7:03 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

insider info (I've posted info on here before and who it was from so there could be a guess or two as to where it came from but the NEWS is REAL).

[May 3, 2007 7:16 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Frank said

Isn't HIS regularly scheduled day tomorrow?

[May 3, 2007 7:18 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

there it is then. Rags called him and gave him the news earlier today.

[May 3, 2007 7:30 PM]  |  link  |  reply
obsessivegiantscompulsive said

Why doesn't this new website remember me, but Haloscan did? And why is the time stamps on EDT?

About the French, I think you forgot about "amor" and all that entails.

About Omar, the Merc also noted that Vizquel had hot starts the past two seasons with the Giants, so this is his first poor start with us. Yeah, not a good sign, not a good salary drive run.

I blame myself for Omar's poor start (though the French probably loves his art work with nudes): I drafted him (accidentally) in one of my fantasy baseball leagues. Accidentally as I was not intending to draft him but had him in my window when I had to leave the live draft and, who knew!, the software continued drafting from that list. I was just fascinated by the software so I had placed a number of players there out of curiosity. I got a bunch of unavailable prospects too, though Brandon Wood has just been called up again (he's been terrible though).

Behold my bad luck record: last season, I had the great fortune of drafting A-Rod - had one of his worst starts ever; this season, one of the best starts ever. I also picked up Jake Peavey too - had his worst season ever; this season, back to normal greatness. I also had Chipper Jones to pair with A-Rod - he started poorly too; this season, HRs galore. I also had Bonds the past two seasons, but not this season...

About ESPN Sunday, is Barry passing up Aaron that night? The game will go 30 innings, Bonds will play SS at some point, and he will hit 10 HR to pass up Aaron and set a new HR game record? I have it from good word from a friend whose uncle knows the stagehand of the show with psychic John Edwards (vs. the presidential-hopeful John Edwards). :^)

[May 3, 2007 7:31 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

OK, I've been told we can run with it. Rags called him and said, "Your ready th throw on Sunday on National TV?" Also was told Tim called two people to give them the news (his dad and bestfriend) before even his agent knew what was happenin'. It's reported that someone said (don't ask me who, but it would be crossin' the line for meto say) "when that Big Ryan Howard sees what Timmy is throwin', he's going to shit his pants."

[May 3, 2007 7:50 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Frank said

So, Lefty, what does he have to do to get/stay ready if he's being pushed back 2 days?

[May 3, 2007 7:59 PM]  |  link  |  reply
BawLa said

Hey BigO - thanks for sharing the inside info.

Of course no one, yourself included, will not fully believe it until they see it, but I appreciate you sharing with us.

[May 3, 2007 8:11 PM]  |  link  |  reply
obsessivegiantscompulsive said

Great call on the lineup, you only missed on swapping Sweeney and Molina.

Hopefully this will get Vizquel going. However, he's been at his worse during his career when batting 8th, and that's when he was much younger. Might be better off batting him 9th, he at least hit better there than at 8th.

Thanks also for sharing the info, bigO!

Frank, I would assume he just throws on Friday like he would normally do in between starts. His arm seems to be indestructible, and so he probably throws every day anyhow, I've read that he has long-tossed the day after a start. But I'm no expert on pitcher's routine between starts.

[May 3, 2007 8:13 PM]  |  link  |  reply
obsessivegiantscompulsive said

Oh, bigO, who is Tim's best friend, do you know? And doesn't Tim have a younger brother too?

[May 3, 2007 8:23 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Josh from Hollywood said

Nice call, BigO!

[May 3, 2007 8:36 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

Tim actually has an older brother. Pretty good but not as gifted. tim's dad Chris is headed to SF on Sunday (said Tim asked how many tickets he'd need?)

[May 3, 2007 8:41 PM]  |  link  |  reply
F said

Damn that was some good crack. I just had a dream the Giants are actually going to call up Franchise....

[May 3, 2007 9:45 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM said

BigO, you have my apologies. You don't owe me a set of radials anymore.

[May 4, 2007 10:52 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Lyle said

BigO, are you the photog in the Seattle area? Nice scoop, and thanks from all of us!

[July 9, 2007 4:24 PM]  |  link  |  reply
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