Tag: San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca

San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has recently said the start of the season has been “hugely disappointing” (photo by the San Francisco Giants)

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael, after San Francisco Giants Michael Conforto’s 368 foot home run in the top of the fourth inning it was the Giants hope that they might be able to get things as the Giants struck first and Conforto’s run would be all they would get for the rest of the afternoon.

#2 The Rockies in the bottom of the fourth lit up Giants pitcher Keaton Win who pitch three plus inning and gave up eight hits and seven runs. Can you point to what was off with Winn’s pitches against the Rockies.

#3 The Rockies Brenton Doyle did some damage in that fourth with a 430 foot three run home run making the score at the time 6-1.

#4 Michael no doubt the roughest part of the road trip was when the Giants were swept in four games in Philadelphia?

#5 Michael, just wanted to ask you about a recent interview that Giants team president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said “Even in spring training, we saw a lot of positives that we expected to carry into the season and it hasn’t happened. We haven’t hit our stride.” How concerned should Zaidi be with some of the struggles this team has had. They went 3-7 on this last road trip.

#6 The Giants return home to host the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park on Friday night at 7:15pm PDT. The Reds will be starting LHP Andrew Abbott (1-4 ERA 3.32) and he’ll be opposed by the Giants RHP Logan Webb (3-3 ERA 3.50). Webb got touched up pretty good in his last outing against the Phillies on May 5th giving up seven hits and four runs in four innings of work. Can he bounce back Friday against the Reds.

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants players have voiced their preference for manager Bob Melvin the way he runs the club over former Giants manager Gabe Kapler (photo from mlb.com)

On The SF Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 How happy are the players that former manager Gabe Kapler is gone in favor of first year manager Bob Melvin?

#2 The players seem to be happy with Melvin’s new structure of playing. One of the new rules of Melvin’s that every single person from coaches, players, equipment managers, bat boys, are required to be on the field for the national anthem hats off and lined up before each game.

#3 Melvin said it’s all about the perception that your ready to play saying even if your not playing your engaged. Melvin had similar housekeeping rules when he was with the Oakland Athletics. Although his A’s teams didn’t win too often they respected him enough to be a competitive team and he’s hoping likewise this season in San Francisco.

#4 It was noted that for the national anthem Kapler was in the clubhouse or not on the field and the players were not in front of the dugout. The point that some of the veteran players pointed out was discipline was lacking under Kapler while under Melvin he’s being detailed oriented and wants discipline.

#5 What’s the difference do you see for Melvin who managed the Padres last season and coming over to the Giants and managing this season?

Join Michael Duca for the San Francisco Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giant outfielder LeMonte Wade Jr acknowledges the crowd after the announcement that he will be receiving the 2021 Willie McCovey Award during Oct 1, 2021 game against the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Wade was going to start in leftfield for opening day Fri Apr 8, 2022 but is out with an inflamed knee (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael on today’s podcast were going to ask you a variety of questions pertaining the San Francisco Giants and what’s happening around Major League Baseball. We’ll start with Giants third baseman Evan Longoria and outfielder LeMonte Wade Jr who both will not be playing on opening day this Friday at Oracle Park against the Miami Marlins.

#2 Since Barry Bonds left the Giants in 2007 sfgate.com reported the Giants haven’t had an anchored leftfielder since then. Let’s take a look at the list 2008 Dave Roberts, 2009 Fred Lewis, 2010 Mark DeRosa, 2011 Pat Burrell, 2012 the always affable Aubrey Huff, 2013 Andres Torres, 2014 Mike Morse, 2015 Nori Aoki, 2016 Angel Pagan, 2017 Jarrett Parker, 2018 Hunter Pence, 2019 Connor Joe, 2020 Alex Dickerson, 2021 Austin Slater, and Wade was expected to be the starting left fielder for opening day but is out with an injury.

#3 Michael talk about the Giants bullpen they were competitive and tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the MLB lead in saves last season with 56 saves split amongst Giants pitchers Jake McGee, Tyler Rogers, Dominic Leone and Camilo Doval.

#4 The Giants will be part of MLB history when they take on the Cleveland Guardians on Fri Apr 15th at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Celebrity Tom Hanks will be throwing out the first ball inaugurating the first home game under the Guardians name. Hanks had been a fan of Cleveland since sitting a ball game in 1977 at Lake Erie’s Municipal Stadium section 19 and is looking forward to the honor on the 15th.

#5 It’s been said about Giants manager Gabe Kapler that he is versatile and is at the ready to make adjustments and that was the reason for the Giants having the success that they did last season do you see that pretty much being the same thing with Kapler for this season?

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

San Francisco Giants former first baseman Will Clark in banner that announces a Giants season ticket plan named after Clark the Thrill 22 Plan. This banner is displayed at Willie Mays Plaza in front of Oracle Park. Clark will have his #22 jersey retired on opening day Apr 8, 2022. (image from the San Francisco Giants)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael just wanted to go over some of the names in camp that might have an impact on the Giants line up we’ll start with Joc Pederson. Pederson split action between the Chicago Cubs where he hit .230 and with the Atlanta Braves .249. How do you see Pederson helping the club this season.

#2 Brandon Crawford always consistent with the glove and at the plate hit .298 last season with 24 homers and 90 RBIs and looking forward to open at shortstop.

#3 Logan Webb a great year in 2021 on the hill finishing 11-3 ERA 3.03 talk about some of the expectations of Webb for this coming season can he repeat again.

#4 How important is it that former San Francisco Giant first baseman Will Clark has lent his name and image to the Giants 2022 season ticket plan, also on opening day the Thrill will be retiring his jersey number. How important is it that for the Giants, for Will and more importantly for you as someone who covers the team and is a season ticket holder did you get to take advantage of the Thrill 22 plan?

#5 Miguel, are Will Clark’s numbers good enough to get him in the Hall of Fame and do you agree Will numbers better than some players who are already in the Hall? Career average .303, 284 home runs, and 1205 RBIs.

#6 Former writer and columnist Bruce Jenkins who retired from the Chronicle last season was a beat writer for the Oakland A’s and also covered the Giants as well. Here an example of someone whose longtime service should be recognized where do you see his chances of making a Cooperstown ballot and getting a shot at the Ford C Frick wing of the Hall?

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com