Category: MLB

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Alameda County Votes Yes on Howard Terminal

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s team president David Kaval standing at Mount Davis at the Oakland Coliseum is hoping that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will eventually approve funding for a new ballpark at Howard Terminal Jack London Square in downtown Oakland (file photo from Alameda Magazine)

Alameda County Votes Yes on A’s in Oakland Letter of Intent

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–After five hours, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors came to a “Yes” vote this Tuesday, which allows the Athletics to keep working towards the final goal of building the Howard Terminal ballpark. However, this is a non-binding agreement that gives Alameda County the right to walk away if they do not come to a final agreement. There is work ahead and various studies before everything is finalized.

The A’s will continue to pursue their plan in Las Vegas as they have been doing now for a few months with a total of six trips. After the conclusion of the 2021 World Series, Oakland A’s team president Dave Kaval will release a list of the three or four final sites in the Las Vegas Valley.

There was support and opposition, most of the opposition came from the Port of Oakland which claims that their plans of expanding the basin could be in danger if the A’s build a ballpark. If there is a binding agreement it will have the County of Alameda and the City of Oakland for 45 years together benefiting from taxes under a governed public finance board.

Both the A’s and the City of Oakland are waiting for a finalized environmental impact study. Much other work needs to be done until there is a final agreement. For Mr.Kaval if the A’s stay in Oakland or move to Las Vegas, he says the following: “We’re supporting at the end of the day of getting the project done. We have already taken too long, at least in our mind. So, we’re just trying to find a feasible path”.

A few days ago the Commissioner of MLB Rob Manfred said he was not optimistic about the chances of the Oakland A’s to build a park in Oakland. It would be interesting what Mr.Manfred has to say now since he believes the time is running out on this project.

We can say it was a good night for the Oakland A’s and their fans, but nothing is official. The only thing we know is that the A’s have a Letter of Intent of keeping the Howard Terminal project still alive. Non-binding means: ‘having no legal or binding force’. There will be more to this story during the next few days and weeks.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s on Spanish 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: World Series in Atlanta is better than All Star Game

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

MLB 2021 World Series logo (sportslogos.net image)

World Series in Atlanta is better than All Star Game

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaurty Pi-González

The Atlanta Braves eliminated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth game of the NLCS and they are now in the World Series for the first time since 1999. We remember what happened last summer when Major League Baseball relocated the 2021 All Star Game from Truist Park in Atlanta, because of a new voting law in the State of Georgia.

Now the Braves will have a chance to play in two (maybe three) games of the 2021 World Series that begins next Tuesday at Minute Maid Park in Houston, the home of the American League Champions, who took care of the Boston Red Sox. Because the Astros ended with the better record as they won the AL West, they will have the home-field advantage and host games 1 and 2, and possibly (if necessary) games 6 and 7 also at Houston. While the Braves are scheduled to play games 3 and 4 and 5 (if necessary) in Atlanta.

That voting law that Major League Baseball objected and then moved the All Star Game from Atlanta to Denver, Colorado, has not changed. That is still the law of the State of Georgia, plus the All Star Game is one game with a week of festivities, however, now Atlanta is in a much better situation, instead of one game in July, they will have 2, maybe 3 games in the World Series.

This will generate the revenue and some of the prestige and exposure that the City of Atlanta has lost after Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred ordered the game moved from Atlanta to Denver. It is easy if you ask any baseball fan, what you prefer: your city MLB team ballpark to host the All-Star Game, or to be in the World Series.

There is zero competition. It is the World Series. At the end MLB has to eat crow. The law in Georgia was not reversed and the Braves are now in the Fall Classic, which is a much prized event than the All Star Game. Atlanta, Georgia is laughing all the way to the bank.

Some sarcastic remarks made on social media posted stuff like “Mr.Manfred, would you now also move the World Series out of Atlanta for a “neutral” city, while others in Georgia made comments like “Who needs the MLB All Star Game when you get to play in the World Series?”

I have maintained for years that sports leagues should stay away from politics, but that seems to be impossible these days in our country. And it happens from leagues, fans, government and so on, everybody wants to be in this soup and not only in the US, but in some cases it has international repercussions.

Example: Last week Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter called China’s leader Xi Jinping a, “brutal dictator” on social media and spoke into the camera, about the culture genocide in Tibet. Immediately the television carrier of NBA in China banned all Boston Celtics games inside China, a market of 1.4 billion people. That would never happen here in the US, but in China the communist government controls all media and they do not allow any criticism against the communist party of their leaders. Free speech is a commodity that China does not understand.

The last time the Atlanta Braves played in the World Series was 1999 as they were swept by the New York Yankees. In 1995 the Braves won their only World Series championship since they play in Atlanta as they defeated the Cleveland Indians in six (6) games. The Houston Astros are favorites to win it and give manager Dusty Baker his first World Series title.

Dusty Baker will be the second oldest manager (72 years) to reach the Fall Classic. Only Jack McKeon was older (by days not years than Dusty), when he took the Florida Marlins to the 2003 World Series to win it in six (6) games over the New York Yankees. Last time Dusty took a team to the World Series was in 2002 when he lost in seven (7) games to the Los Angeles Angels.

I was there in Anaheim with the Giants broadcasting and I know how Dusty felt after that last seventh game. I wish Dusty a better outcome this time, he is a good manager and even a better man. Never heard a player on his teams or the opposition said anything negative about Dusty Baker. The ultimate players manager.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLBCS podcast with Michael Duca: Braves one away from fall classic; Astros on the brink take 3-2 lead game 6 goes back to Houston

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The balls were flying out of Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Wed Oct 20, 2021 in game 4 of the NLCS as the Atlanta Braves Eddie Rosario connected for one of four Braves home runs this one being hit the top of the second inning (AP News photo)

On the MLBCS podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Miguel, what has gone wrong with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1-3) they lost the first two games of this NLCS on ninth inning walks off, they nearly lost game 3 the Atlanta Braves (3-1) had a 5-2 lead but the Dodgers got a eighth inning four run rally, in game 4 not so lucky the Braves win a laugher 9-2 with game 5 in LA tonight.

#2 Did the first two loses of this series kind of take the wind out of the Dodgers sails or were they pretty mentally exhausted from the NLDS with the San Francisco Giants going the whole five games.

#3 How much has been placed on Jose Urias he came in as a reliever in game 2 pitched the eighth in relief was shelled for three hits and two earned runs and started yesterday in game 4 went five innings, gave up five runs on eight hits in his start.

#4 Turning to the Houston Astros, the Astros took a three games to two lead on the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night at Fenway Park with a convincing 9-1 lead. This was the Red Sox best chance to take the lead in the series at home but the Astros came out hitting and now home field on Friday night at Minute Maid Field and could win it to advance to the World Series in game 6.

#5 You had many a conversation with Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker and he’s done a whale of a job managing this club to get this far know him talk about his relationships with his players and the job he’s done this season.

Join Michael Duca for the World Series podcast next Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A’s Port of Oakland buildings, railroad and gondola

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

No word yet on the Oakland A’s Howard Terminal ball park but baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is losing patience (artists rendition of Oakland A’s Howard Terminal ballpark image from Piedmont Exedra)

A’s- Port Of Oakland, Buildings, Railroad and Gondola.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Recently commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred said he is not optimistic about a new deal to keep the team in A’s in Oakland. He made the remarks to the Sports Business Journal and confirmed relocation is on the table for the A’s but not only to Las Vegas but as well to other locations in other cities.

Manfred said that Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland A’s need new ballparks, but reiterated (as he has done in the past) that Oakland is the team right now that concerns him the most. Manfred said (quote) “Frankly, in some ways we’re not sure we see a path to success, in terms of getting something built in Oakland.”

The commissioner is following the situation in Oakland and could be worried about the points listed below, that seems to be on the table between both parties.

Below deals with some of these topics.

-Port of Oakland. How can the ballpark affect the Port of Oakland operations? Concerns that the port needs to expand to accommodate large cargo ships. That this would be more difficult with a baseball stadium at Howard Terminal. Port of Oakland workers have demonstrated in front of the A’s team owner John Fisher in San Francisco as they are against the proposal to build the new stadium at Howard Terminal. Workers say that will displace blue collar jobs.

-Buildings. The Athletics plan calls for Howard Terminal to build one (1) residential tower as high as 600 feet and another at 400 feet tall. These buildings would compete with designs such as the Ordway building, which is 400 feet tall and the tallest building in downtown Oakland. Ordway building is also known as #1 Kaiser Plaza.

-Railroad. The DRC (Oakland Design Review Committee) wants a safe way for the visitors to the park to avoid the railroad tracks altogether. The DRC is concerned with the safety of people to get to the park across the railroad crossings. AMTRAK trains travels right in front of Jack London Square. Note. Union Pacific controls the rails.

-Gondola. In 2019 the Oakland A’s proposed the idea of a gondola to take fans from BART to Howard Terminal. However, this idea was not in the plans and reviewed by the committee. The proposal was to move fans from downtown Oakland to a stadium at Howard Terminal. The fans would be “ferried” via an elevated gondola similar to what you might see at a ski resort to the stadium. Looks like the gondola is a No Go.

Above are some of the key points to be discussed by the Alameda Board of Supervisors this October 26. As of today the official agenda for the meeting still pending and has not been announced to the public.

It seems that Commissioner Rob Manfred, who has put a clock in baseball to ‘speed up’ the game, has also put the A’s on the clock when it comes to the new Howard Terminal ballpark.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s on flagship station 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A disputed check swing and why rule should be changed

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

A moment that will be discussed for years to come the Wilmer Flores check swing ruled a strike by first base umpire Gabe Morales in the bottom of the ninth during the NLDS game 5 on Thu Oct 14, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco for the last out against the Los Angeles Dodgers (AP News photo)

A Disputed Check Swing and Why Rule should be Changed

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Thousands of people at Oracle Park in San Francisco and millions across the country witnessed a terrible call by first base umpire Gabe Morales, (after a request asking for help, from the home plate umpire) decided a Wilmer Flores “swing” for the third strike, thus ending Game 5 which Dodgers won 5-4 over the Giants. Dodgers advanced to the NLCS and Giants went home for the winter.

During the past several years baseball has been changing many things, mostly trying to speed up the game. Here is one rule that they should change. What we all witness happens more often than you think, probably thousands of times during games in the regular season, but what made it much more blatant was it was the last out of a very important game with a huge television audience. TBS telecast of this game delivered the biggest audience this postseason so far.

Baseball uses six (6) umpires during the postseason, the regular four (4) on the infield, plus two (2) are added, one on left field and one in right field. We know this is done for the sake of accuracy because these are much more important games than the 162-regular season affairs. This rule (see MLB rules below) should be revised and possibly changed. The rule in question is very nebulous.

For the record: Wilmer Flores, prior to the questioned at-bat and during his career, never got a hit from Max Scherzer in 17 turns at the plate with 8 strikeouts. The probability that Flores was going to get a hit against this pitcher was very low, but just like baseball is not played on paper but on the field, baseball is also not played in probability but in actual time on the field. The Giants, including their manager Gabe Kapler showed a lot of class, considering what happened during what was out number 27 and the last one of that crucial game for both teams.

As of today I have never met a robot and had a conversation with one or somebody that walked on water and never made a mistake, I believe umpire Gabe Morales also was very candid after the game when he said the following (quote) “Check swings are one of the hardest calls we have. I don’t have the benefit of multiple camera angles when I’m watching it live. When it happened live, I thought he went, so that’s why I called it a swing.” (end of quote) Check swings are interpreted many ways by different umpires, not reliable when it comes to consistency. It is like the argument “what came first the chicken or the egg”?

Major League Baseball has a lot on their agenda this winter, especially negotiating a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) describing the rules of employment and financial structure of the game. The most recent was finalized on November 30, 2016 and last until December 1, 2021. This is a big deal for both sides, owners, and players, and will take a very good effort from both sides.

I am sure MLB still will have time on how to correct the controversial “check swing” rule, a very confusing rule that makes umpires more vulnerable and open for mistakes based on interpretation. This is the link to the Official Baseball rules. http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/0/8/0/268272080/2018_Official_Baseball_Rules.pdf

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead broadcaster for Oakland A’s Spanish radio on 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bellinger wins it for Dodgers ends season for Giants 2-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts connects for a single in the fourth inning in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey in game 5 of the NLDS at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Of the series between the two best teams in Major League Baseball in 2021 came down the final at-bat and it was the Los Angeles Dodgers standing in the end.

Cody Bellinger hit a seeing eye single in the top of the ninth inning that scored Justin Turner from second base, helping the Dodgers to a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants in Game Five of the National League Division Series before a crowd of 42,275 at Oracle Park.

I actually did think he had a fastball and I thought the slider was and Bellinger was not able to get underneath it until that one swing, said Giants manager Gabe Kapler.

The Bellinger single gave the Dodgers the lead for good and Game Three starter Max Scherzer came on to close it out for the Dodgers, who move on to their second NLCS appearance and their fifth appearance in the last six years.

Scherzer did run into some trouble in the bottom of the ninth inning, as after he got Brandon Crawford to fly out to Chris Taylor in right field, Turner committed a fielding error at third base that allowed Kris Bryant reach first base that brought LaMonte Wade, Jr., who became the late inning hero for the Giants during the season; however, Wade, Jr., was unable to be the hero, when he struck out for the second out of the inning and then Scherzer got Wilmer Flores on a check swing to end the game, the series and the season for the Giants.

It looked like he did not go. I mean that was my take on it, said Kapler.

Turner reached with one out in the inning after he was hit on the shoulder on a pitch thrown by losing pitcher Camilo Doval, who then gave up a single to Gavin Lux and then Bellinger singled to right field to score Turner with the series winning run for the defending World Champion Dodgers, who will face the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS beginning on Saturday night at Truist Park in Atlanta. This will be the second year in a row that the Dodgers and the Braves will face each other in the NLCS, last season, the Dodgers came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the NLCS in seven games.

The Dodgers finally got to Logan Webb in the top of the sixth inning, Corey Seager hit a flare down the left field line for a double, that scored Mookie Betts from second base to break up the scoreless tie.

Betts was the star of the game for the Dodgers, as he went four-for-four at the plate, including a double in the top of the sixth inning that came right before Seager dropped the double down the left field line that gave the Dodgers the lead for a short period of time.

The four hits by Betts were a postseason career high.

He is one of the best players in baseball for a reason. He is a pretty incredible player and pretty incredible guy, honestly, said Logan Webb.

Darin Ruf tied up the game with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the sixth inning, as he launched a solo home run over the center field wall. It was the first career post season home run for Ruf.

Julio Urias, who pitched a masterpiece on Saturday in the 9-2 win by the Dodgers gave up the home run to Ruf. Urias, who went five innings on Saturday night, as he allowed one run on three hits, walking one, striking out five and threw 72 pitches looked unhittable until Ruf unloaded on the 3-2 pitch that tied up the game.

In all, Urias went four innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking no one and striking out five on four days rest.

Webb, who struck out 10 in the Game One victory for the Giants, came back to throw seven innings, allowing one run on four hits, walking one and striking out seven in his second career postseason career start.

I felt good. Everything was moving the way I wanted to, and yeah it was good. Buster caught a great game, said Webb.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who originally stated that he was going to start Urias instead started Corey Knebel, who pitched the first inning, where he allowed just a double to Buster Posey and nothing else before turning the ball over to the bullpen.

Brusdar Graterol then came up on to replace Knebel, as he also went one inning, allowing two hits and was able to strand two runners on base, when he struck out Webb to end the threat and the inning.

Tyler Rogers came on to replace Webb in the top of the eighth inning, and he got into a jam after he led off the inning by getting Taylor to fly out to Bryant in center field, but then A.J. Pollock came off the bench to pinch hit for Blake Treinen and reached on an infield single that went off the glove of Wilmer Flores.

Betts then came up with his fourth hit of the game to put runners on first and second with one out, but then Rogers struck out Seager for the second out of the inning and that was end of the night for Rogers, who was replaced by Camilo Doval, who on one pitch got Trea Turner to fly out to Austin Slater in right field to get out of the inning and the jam.

NOTES: This was the 27th postseason appearance for the Giants and the 13th since they moved to California in 1958, and it was the first time that the Giants and Dodgers ever faced off versus each other in the postseason.

Kapler is the fifth consecutive Giants manager to lead his team to the postseason, joining Roger Craig (1987, 1989), Dusty Baker (1997, 2000 and 2002), Felipe Alou (2003), Bruce Bochy (2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016) and Kapler (2021).

UP NEXT: The season is over for the Giants, who will meet up again in Spring Training in February of 2022 at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona.

On the other hand, the Dodgers will head to Atlanta, where they will face the Braves beginning on Saturday night in the NLCS.

This is the 15th trip to the NLCS for the Dodgers, breaking the tie with the St. Louis Cardinals for the most trips to the NLCS since divisional play began in 1969.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Ray Fosse had a hard work ethic; he worked until he had to be carried out of the booth

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Oakland A’s catcher and broadcaster Ray Fosse takes a seat at the Oakland Coliseum played in the big leagues from 1967 to 1979 and broadcasted the A’s from 1986 to 2021 before passing away Wed Oct 13, 2021 (TSN file photo)

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

There is very little doubt about the player, broadcaster and great human being that Ray Fosse 74 was he grinded it out as a player and he did the same as a broadcaster up until his very last game that he called. Fosse who passed away on Wednesday was the A’s catcher who called and caught many historic games in his baseball career which included the A’s World Champion teams in 1973 and 1974.

Fosse’s baseball career spans from 1967-1972 with Cleveland, 1973-1975 Oakland, Cleveland 1976-1977, Seattle (1977) and finished his career in Milwaukee (1979). Fosse is most famously remembered for catching and dropping the ball in the 1970 All Star game when Cincinnati Reds and National Leaguer Pete Rose collided with Fosse at home to score the winning run. Fosse is in the top 100 players in the history of Cleveland Guardians history.

Fosse worked as an Oakland A’s broadcaster in both radio and TV from 1986 to 2021. Fosse on his last day of broadcasting at the A’s had to leave by medical assistance that’s how gritty he was he worked even when he was sick and no one knew he had cancer for 16 years. His radio broadcast colleague Ken Korach said “We never knew how bad it was and he was still working, it was incredible that he was working right up until this summer”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish radio play by play lead announcer on flagship station 1010 KIQI Le Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants/NLDS podcast with Michael Duca: Battle comes down to historic game 5 tonight in SF

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb is pumped up after striking out the Los Angeles Dodgers Trea Turner in the top of the sixth inning during game 1 of the NLDS on Fri Oct 8, 2021. Webb will get the start in game 5 Thu Oct 14, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants/NLDS podcast with Michael:

#1 Tonight’s game the deciding and final game of this five game NLDS boils down to two great starting pitchers tonight the Los Angeles Dodgers Julio Urias (1-0 ERA 1.80) and the San Francisco Giants Logan Webb (1-0 ERA 0.00) a 6:07 pm start at Oracle Park.

#2 The Giants who lost on Tuesday night at Dodgers Stadium 7-2 saw a Dodger line up awaken and Mookie Betts well and bat alive with some potent offense in game 4.

#3 The Giants will be facing a 20 game winner in Urias what will Giants manager Gabe Kapler have to be concerned with most in facing one of the most prolific pitchers in MLB who can mix up his pitches against this Giant line up.

#4 You’ve seen the Giants drop two of the four games thus far with Brandon Belt out and looking at this series how badly to the Giants miss his bat?

#5 Logan Webb opened the series in game one last Friday with a brilliant performance going 7.2 innings, five hits, and ten strike outs. The Dodgers had a rough time touching up Webb how do you see Webb coming into this game 5 tonight.

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Where could A’s move to if Howard Terminal fails?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred spoke on Tuesday regarding the future of the Oakland A’s and Tampa Bay Rays who are in need of brand new stadiums and where they could move to if they don’t get them in Oakland or Tampa Bay (ABC 7 News file photo)

By Charlie O

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred was in New York on Tuesday and was speaking and attending the CAA World Congress of Sports. He was asked about the stadium plans for Oakland and Tampa Bay that was provided via video by the Sports Business Journal.

Manfred admitted that the stadiums plans are at the critical point saying the Oakland Coliseum is in such poor condition, “particularly in the case of Oakland” Manfred said “we’ve had to open up the opportunity to explore other locations, just because it’s dragged on so long”

What are some of those locations? Manfred and Oakland A’s team president David Kaval have only explored Las Vegas and Kaval himself has made several trips to the Vegas South Nevada greater area looking at places just outside of Vegas like Henderson and mostly Summerlin home of the A’s triple A team the Aviators.

The list goes on of cities who want a MLB team either the Tampa Bay Rays who just were eliminated in the ALDS playoffs and the Oakland A’s who had a competitive season chasing the first place Houston Astros but failed to make post season.

Amongst those cities: New Orleans, Montreal, Indianapolis, Portland, Orlando, Nashville or Las Vegas. The list actually has more cities but these are the top places mentioned but Vegas being the most serious amongst those. What works against Vegas is that the community is “stadiumed out” having new stadiums for the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Aces, and the Las Vegas Raiders not to mention UNLV basketball. Also Las Vegas is the 39th ranked TV market in the country and Oakland is in the sixth largest TV market.

The city of Las Vegas will grow from a non big league market to a four team pro market with their top college basketball team UNLV. Nothing officially decided yet but word is to no ones surprise Vegas is the front runner for getting the A’s.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff said that nothing has changed and that it’s been frustrating getting the Howard Terminal agreement to get signed and agreed upon, “The commissioner remains very frustrated and impatient as am I about the progress toward locking down the Howard Terminal project.”

Schaff said that the next big move is when the Alameda County Board of Supervisors meet on Oct 26th to vote on using tax district dollars that would pay for the project and would help construct the surrounding infrastructure. Schaff said that the commissioner wants a total commitment for the developing and financing of affordable housing and public parks to make this a complete success and going forward with making the new A’s park a success.

Familiarity and Execution: The two, foremost themes heading into NLDS Game 5 between the Dodgers and Giants

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–The biggest game in the long history between the Giants and Dodgers is here. Twice, the Giants struck first, and the Dodgers answered emphatically both times. Now in Game 5, only one statement remains to be made. Which team will win this epic series with all of the baseball world focused on Oracle Park Thursday night?

The Dodgers took the first, and biggest gamble of the series on Tuesday, in bringing back Walker Buehler on short rest to start Game 4. And Buehler delivered. That allows Los Angeles to now start Julio Urias on regular rest, opposite the Giants’ Logan Webb in Game 5. Manager Dave Roberts said he eyeballed Buehler, and what he saw made the manager’s decision easy.

“I would feel really weird not pitching a game that we could lose a series,” Buehler said in explaining the vibe he sent to Roberts.

“Sometimes when you might be a little bit more fatigued and not too amped up or too strong, you kind of try not to do too much,” Roberts said of his ace’s Game 4 performance. “And all night long he stayed in his delivery. All the stuff — the velocity, the characteristics of his secondary pitches — was really good.”

Both starters for Thursday have already won a game in the series. Logan Webb was spectacular in Game 1, pitching into the eighth inning and forcing the Dodgers’ hitters into uncharacteristic mistakes. Urias had a shorter stint in Game 2, pitching five innings and allowing three hits and a run. But when Urias departed, the Dodgers were already in control, leading 2-1 in a game they would break open in the sixth, and win 9-2.

For the Giants, the questions are clear: Can Webb summon the magic a second time? And can the San Francisco bullpen support him when he departs? The odds of both happening are good.

Webb remains a problem for any ballclub that steps into Oracle Park. He’s yet to lose a ballgame at home (6-0, 1.96 ERA in 73 1/3 innings in 2021, not including his 7 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 1), and his unwavering demeanor and penchant for dialing up strikeouts will energize the sold out crowd on Thursday. The only issue? Los Angeles’ hitters were undisciplined in Game 1. This time, they will challenge Webb to be at his absolute best this time by only swinging at baseballs in the strike zone.

Overall, the Giants’ pitching staff has done some good things. They’ve kept the Dodgers’ best hitters from leaving the park. Only two Dodgers have homered in the Series: Will Smith has two, and Mookie Betts greeted Giants’ reliever Jarlin Garcia with bad news in the fourth inning on Wednesday night. A host of other Los Angeles sluggers have been left frustrated trying to drive one out, especially in Game 3. For the Giants, that needs to continue.

Also, the Giants’ pitchers that have shown some vulnerability most assuredly won’t throw in the deciding game. Starters Kevin Gausman and Anthony DeSclafani both must turn the page, and get ready for the next round if the Giants advance. Dominic Leone and Garcia have both had a pair of substandard appearances.

So that leaves Camilo Doval, the re-emerging Jake McGee, and Zach Littell as top options for Gabe Kapler if the Giants’ are fortunate to reap high-leverage situations in Game 5 after Webb departs. Littell–awful in Game 2, but lights out in Game 4–is the most intriguing. He’s a trusted arm, and Kapler is likely to forget his Game 2 hiccup, and remember his four strikeouts in an inning plus on Tuesday.

The Dodgers also will be in great shape to unearth a well-pitched game in the decider as well. Urias, the 20-game winner will start, and the best bullpen in baseball will follow. All signs point to a tense, low scoring game.

From a hitting standpoint, the Giants will have all-hands on deck, but they’ll likely depend on the most familiar suspects against Urias. Both Brandon Crawford and Buster Posey had hits off Urias in Game 2, and Austin Slater will likely earn another start in right field against the Dodgers’ left handed starter. Slater, too, doubled off Urias in Game 2.

Darin Ruf (left field) and Wilmer Flores (first base) will likely be in Kapler’s starting lineup, as will Kris Bryant, who has picked up his game after a lackluster end of the regular season, giving his manager tremendous versatility.

“A bat of that caliber and that quality, and knowing that they can play anywhere and they are going to be ready to go gives us the flexibility to do a lot of things,” Kapler said of Bryant. “So I guess it’s not just Kris, but also what that does for the rest of the roster and how we can construct our lineups.”

The defending champion Dodgers are easier to decipher. Betts, Trea Turner, Corey Seager and the youthful, but dangerous Smith can each be the one to individually or collaboratively ruin the evening for San Francisco fans on Thursday. And don’t forget Justin Turner either. He’s done almost nothing in the series thus far–hitting .059–but he undoubtedly will be in the Roberts’ lineup and a serious threat to come up clutch in a big spot.