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Padres vs Giants March 28-31
#11 · March 28, 2024, 10:20 pm
Quote from JasonE135 on March 28, 2024, 3:56 pmQuote from fenn68 on March 28, 2024, 3:00 pmI guess my first “I don’t understand” move by Shildt.
Last of the 5th … Profar on 3rd base … Padres up 2-1. Shildt puts in Azocar to run for Profar. Why? Not a measurable faster runner (or better baserunner). Azocar is the only OF on the bench and that only the 5th inning … bit early to go for a defensive replacement even IF you think Azocar is better than Profar.
Then in the 6th … man on 3rd vs a RHP Webb with two outs … Azocar comes up instead of the switch hitting Profar (who had an RBI hit off Webb) … Azocar strikes out.
Result aside … why the move in the 5th inning of a 2-1 lead?
Azocar has 97th percentile speed. Profar apparently has 12th percentile speed. I had no idea that Profar was that slow!
Azocar- 29.7 fps
Profar- 25.6 fps
It was still a bad move, but speed is why he did it.
I think we tend to give Profar more credit than he deserves. He's only hit above .250 once in a full season in his career. I'm not saying I'd rather have Azocar up in that situation, but he's a .251 hitter for his career and .283 against right handed pitching. I'm not upset at the idea of being aggressive about bringing Azocar in with a lead. I think the defensive gain is a lot bigger than the offensive loss. I do think it would make sense to carry another outfielder if that's something we are going to do with regularity though.
#12 · March 29, 2024, 2:46 am
Quote from WindsorUK on March 28, 2024, 7:23 pmQuote from brent wolff on March 28, 2024, 1:31 pmLet's go boys, at least win the series, by taking 3 out of 4! Let's hope our starting pitching pitches like it is a strength.
WHAT??? That's extremely defeatist Brent! I say let's become the first 161 win team in MLB history!!!!
LFGSD!!!
Someone has to say it … Padres are on pace to win 108 games! Start printing the playoff tickets!!!!!!!!!!
#13 · March 29, 2024, 8:25 pm
I guess it's good that Joe was able to go 5.2 IP ...
I wish we had the Brewers bullpen ...
#14 · March 29, 2024, 9:06 pm
Quote from WindsorUK on March 28, 2024, 7:21 pmQuestion about FTJ hitting weak ground balls to the right side: is he slow to the ball or is it a strength thing? Or is he conciously sitting back on pitches and TRYING to go opposite field? I'd almost rather him K swinging for the downs than dribbling weak s**t to the infield.
Thoughts?
I'm a big believer in productive outs but I'm feeling for the kid.
To me, Nando actually appears to have adopted a more pull-heavy approach this year. Both of his HRs today were pulled despite being on the outside part of the plate, especially his first one. He seems to be aiming to pull, or is that just me? If he is, that will likely increase his HR production, but it gives him zero power to the opposite field. Those dribblers to the right side are just the pitches that he didn't reach and rolled over.
#15 · March 30, 2024, 3:31 am
It is early but need to keep an eye on Musgrove. He really struggled with command yesterday (as he did in his start in Korea) … maybe did not walk many but clearly not hitting his spots. Bottom line he was not effective in either start or actually in ST.
Manny … Athough he hit the mammoth HR … does seem a bit lost at the plate (somewhat similar to last season). As the big money, clean-up hitter he is critical to the team success .. way more than the 7-8-9 hitters.
Poor look for the last two RP on the roster …Kolek and Avila. They will get more shots but guessing they are both hanging by a thread and IF one of the RP in the minors is producing they could be out.
Defense looked good again … shaping up as a real strong factor for the team.
#16 · March 30, 2024, 11:02 am
Quote from JasonE135 on March 29, 2024, 9:06 pmQuote from WindsorUK on March 28, 2024, 7:21 pmQuestion about FTJ hitting weak ground balls to the right side: is he slow to the ball or is it a strength thing? Or is he conciously sitting back on pitches and TRYING to go opposite field? I'd almost rather him K swinging for the downs than dribbling weak s**t to the infield.
Thoughts?
I'm a big believer in productive outs but I'm feeling for the kid.
To me, Nando actually appears to have adopted a more pull-heavy approach this year. Both of his HRs today were pulled despite being on the outside part of the plate, especially his first one. He seems to be aiming to pull, or is that just me? If he is, that will likely increase his HR production, but it gives him zero power to the opposite field. Those dribblers to the right side are just the pitches that he didn't reach and rolled over.
Thanks Jason.
It just seemed in ST and the first few games, he was grounding weakly to the right side.
But those 2 HR's are more like it. More of those please.
#17 · March 30, 2024, 11:26 am
It's very early in the season and most clubs will try to pitch Fernando down and away hoping he chases the pitches just off the plate. To some extent, I can see him trying to drive the ball to RF but at this point in the season it seems he's uncomfortable making that adjustment to his swing. I do like the fact he caught up to one ball that was a little up in the zone which has been another of his problem areas in the past.
From my observations, the good news is that he has a much looser swing this year when compared to 2023, i.e., his shoulders don't seem to be constricting his bat speed. This is probably the result of the time gone by since his surgery - as you recall he had a problem with his shoulders popping out (dislocating) in his first two years with the team but he still got great results with exit velocity. Now, it seems like that swing is coming back and, if so, predict we can see him close to 50 HRs again. Just needs to hit those HRs when runners get on base!
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WindsorUK
#18 · March 30, 2024, 5:25 pm
3 singles and no runs. We use to be fast.
#19 · March 30, 2024, 5:48 pm
Hicks is getting really lucky at this point. No way that continues if he stays in.
#20 · March 30, 2024, 6:01 pm
Okay, Kim looks horrible today. He's trying to hit grand slams with every cut. Guys totally unfit for the 5 hole.
Maybe swap Bogaerts and Kim in the lineup?