Ricky-agree 100% about quality at bats in the postseason, and it seemed even more pronounced this year. Several guys like Blanco didn't have good looking numbers, but were grinding at bats, fouling balls until they worked the count, etc. Also was amazed how productive their PH were in SF (so clutch). Quality of AB's was much better all around than it had been in the season, especially post June.
Re- Pablo, he's an amazing bad ball hitter, and "bad" is a relative term. What's "bad" to most, or a ball, is often exactly what he wants to hit. I was really impressed by how often he laid off pitches that were actually "bad" to him (which is all that really matters), and went for ones he wanted and could handle. He's a little wild at bat, but I do think there's more method to his madness than he's given credit for.
Barry- the Lincecum thing is a strange and frustrating thing. In 2012, the first year his numbers and fastball began to truly drop, he still had "swing and miss" stuff. I in no way track these stats, but know his rate of swing and misses was still really high, as were his K's per 9 innings. Key here being- he could still get people out. He's shown that this year too, and overall his season looked pretty good, but I think his late season funk was so precipetous and came so fast, Boch had to sit him down.
As we'd discussed in prior posts/threads, I think Boch has true, genuine affection for Timmy.. especially because he's been near drama free (save for his dad) when Boch has made these decisions to bump him from the rotation. I think his sharp performance in this year's WS game 2 also moved him up the bullpen ladder (past Strickland, Machi- who only got garbage innings after game 2), but the situatation never presented itself. He did get up in the pen yesterday, but given how long (and awesome) Affeldt pitched and how good Bum looked after his 2nd inning.. the window to pitch never presented itself. Had the Royals tied the game in the 9th, I think Timmy would have possibly been next long man (following a short guy or specialist), given Petit had thrown the day before, and had been hit hard (though think it very likely Petit would have gone too). The 2012 bullpen situation was also different because the Giants lacked a genuine/quality long man and Timmy filled that role perfectly. This year, Petit filled that hole, and Bum proved to be all everything, so the situtations didn't open up.
I'd love if Timmy can earn a rotation spot again next year. I think Timmy's a little more of a roller coaster and lacks some of the total focus that Bum, even Cain have exhibited, but would love to see him as a solid 5 starter. If Cain can come back strong next year, it could be another very interesting season in 2015.
Also pipe dream--- I'd love the other Cain (Lorenzo) in the OF... and if not, someone like Jon Jay. I'm 100% sold on good, fast outfields and players that can do a bit of everything. As said in stat thread, think defensive metrics do not come close to assigning appropriate value for these guys, and how often they can prevent the "big inning" before it gets started.
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