San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Posey answers questions about managing partner Johnson political donations; plus more

Former San Francisco Giants catcher and part owner Buster Posey talked about team managing partner Charles Johnson and his donation to some controversial politicians this week. (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Former San Francisco Giants catcher and current part team owner Buster Posey was thrown into the political forum and was asked by the press about managing partner Charles Johnson whose donations in the past have been questioned when Johnson had donated to such controversial Republican politicians as Herschel Walker, US Rep Lauren Boebert, and Rep Scott Perry to name a few. Buster answered saying that while Johnson is a nice fellow he met him just a couple of times.

#2 With the new position as part owner this puts Posey in a new light and with Johnson who donated to extremists, those who supported the insurrection, and Q Anon supporters. Posey told Andrew Baggerly in a Athletic interview “I have only been around him a couple of times. They’ve been wonderful. That’s all I’m going to say about it. I can only speak to my own interactions.”

#3 Michael, talk about some of the young prospects that you’ve seen. Catcher Joey Bart has had a good spring at the plate and calling pitches and working with the pitchers.

#4 Turning to another subject that the players on the field are trying to solve the baseball clock and Giants starter Alex Cobb was no different he talked about working on his rhythm on either the 15 second clock with the bags empty or a runner on for 20 seconds. Cobb was called for a clock violation after pitching to the San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr when the clock ran out. Cobb is not used to pitching as he puts it a bang bang style of game.

#5 With the new rules in place Michael and just using pitchers in the past who pitched in quick games could a Bob Gibson, Gaylord Perry, Juan Marichal. or Sandy Koufax could have kept up with the today’s pitch clock?

#6 Not ready to see double yet: Pitcher Taylor Rogers pitched in his first spring game on Tuesday and struck out two hitters while twin brother Tyler sat because of a scratched finger that was reported to be minor.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Longoria and Wade to miss opening day; Giants revolving door of leftfielders since Bonds left in 07; plus more

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 podcast with Michael Duca: Expectations of Pederson, Crawford, and Webb; Will the Thrill to have #22 retired opening day

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: How Pederson can help Giants; Belt ready to take over as captain of the ship

San Francisco Giant first baseman Brandon Belt appointed team captain lead by example with a strong finish last season hopes to be right back this season (file photo McCovey Chronicles)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael, describe who Joc Pederson is and how much of a difference does he make and will his knowledge of being a former Los Angeles Dodger be of any help to the Giants when they face LA.

#2 O captain, my captain the Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is ready to assume the lead role and will occupy former catcher Buster Posey’s locker. Belt had a strong finish to last season.

#3 The Giants had Kris Bryant for a short time, Bryant who signed on with the Colorado Rockies for $182 million contributed to the Giants run last season.

#4 The Giants signed left hand pitcher former Detroit Tiger Matthew Boyd to a one year deal how do you see him helping out the pitching staff this season.

#5 The Giants made a bid to try and sign Seiya Suzuki who ended up landing with the Chicago Cubs for five years and $85 million. Is it disappointing that the Giants couldn’t sign Suzuki?

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

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

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Gausman gets start against Padres to conclude four game series today

San Francisco Giants starter Kevin Gausman who goes today against the San Diego Padres has won five in row and goes for his sixth at Oracle Park in San Francisco (file photo from the Advocate)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Lots of excitement this past week the Giants who ended a nine game win streak winning nine of their last ten games clinching on Monday night against the San Diego Padres and most important with our very own Morris Phillips in attendance.

#2 During the nine game win streak they really got some suburb pitching we’ll start with Kevin Gausman 14-5 ERA 2.65 Gausman has won in his last five starts.

#3 Gausman who signed with the Giants last season for $18.5 million has really paid off with the work he’s done. He’s good but did the Giants expect him to be this good.

#4 Catcher Buster Posey whose been around for all three World Series Championships in 2010. 12, and 14 wanted to share Monday’s clinch for post season and let his teammates be the face of the celebration and Posey loved every second of it.

#5 The San Diego Padres have not announced a starting pitcher as of deadline last night but you’ll never guess whose starting today’s game for the Giants, Kevin Gausman gets the call. Knowing and seeing the Padres line up for the last few nights how do you see Gausman matching up against their line up this afternoon?

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

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Duca: Newly signed Jewell hopes to get call up; Cueto’s future in question suffering from strained elbow

San Francisco Giants pitcher Jake Jewell hopes to get off to a great start with his new club after struggling with his old club the Chicago Cubs. Jewell will face his old teammates as the Giants open a three game series against the Cubs Friday afternoon. (photo from mercurynews.com)

On San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael the Giants have brought up Jake Jewell, Jewell had struggled with the Chicago Cubs this season with an ERA of 9.90 and appeared in ten games with the Cubs with ten strikeouts and five walks in ten innings.

#2 Jewell joins the Giants but will not be eligible for post season because he missed the post game deadline, Jewell is someone the Giants are hoping to help. He was optioned to Triple A Sacramento do you see him joining the big club before the season is over?

#3 The Giants are maintaining they won the three game series against the Colorado Rockies in Denver and hold a two game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers and visit the Chicago Cubs for a three game series on Friday morning at Wrigley Field. The Giants have won five of their last ten can they hold onto first place for the rest of the way.

#4 The Steven Duggar had himself a ball game on Tuesday against the Rockies with two triples, a double, and three RBIs. Duggar is hitting .223 and seeing the ball well how important has he been contributing at the plate and helping the Giants stay in first place.’

#5 The Cubs are a struggling team they have lost eight of their last ten games and sit in fourth in the NL Central this should be a breeze for the Giants in the upcoming three game series Friday.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants hitters do some handy work against one of the best teams Cubs

San Francisco Giants Steven Duggar connects for an RBI single in the second inning against Chicago Cubs pitcher Zach Davies at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Jun 3, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 The San Francisco Giants (35-21) opened the four game series on Thursday night with a rather decided win over visiting Chicago Cubs (32-24) at Oracle Park 7-2 as the Giants gets some timely hitting and solid pitching.

#2 Giants pitcher Anthony DeScalfani pitched for six innings giving up four hits and two runs except for the two run third DeScalfani looked like he could have thrown a complete game.

#3 The Giants chalked up some run production in the bottom of the second inning with Steven Duggar who singled in a run and in the fifth inning the Giants added three runs and wound up with a five run win over one of the best teams in the National League.

#4 Usually to beat your opponent your try and put some runs up on the board early but the Cubs struck first with two runs in the third but DeScalfani with some good pitching held the Cubs back and the Giants were able to win their seventh in ten games.

#5 Next up for Friday night’s game the Cubs will start Jake Arrietta (5-5 ERA 4.41) the Giants were going to go with Logan Webb (4-3) but he has a recurring shoulder injury and will sit out tonight’s game. Giants manager as of Friday morning has not announced who will start.

Join Michael Fridays for the Giants podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Why so many no hitters? MLB hitting average has been .240

San Francisco Giants pitcher Kevin Gausman seen here delivering against the Cincinnati Reds on Wed May 19, 2021 was throwing a no hitter into the sixth inning before being lifted (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 After may five no hitters in baseball you might question that’s a lot but after seven and if the San Francisco Giants Kevin Guasman was able to keep the Cincinnati Reds off base on Wednesday night that might have been the eighth no hitter of the season.

#2 At the pace of no hitters being pitched there could be up to 20 no hitters thrown by the end of June.

#3 One of the top reasons brought up why there are so many no hitters is the league batting average is .236 going into Wednesday’s games with 12 MLB teams hitting an average of .240.

#4 Is the other part of the reason why there are so many no hitters is that the pitching is better and ball is not as tight as it was.

#5 The Seattle Mariners have been struggling at the plate needless to say and have been no hit twice already is less than a week.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants home opener Friday with Rockies; Cueto scheduled starter for SF

The San Francisco Giants Darin Ruf circles the bases after hitting his second home run of the season in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres pitcher Blake Snell at Petco Park on Wed Apr 7, 2021 (AP News photo)

#1 Michael, the Giants last two wins have been by a narrow margin but if your a good club you can win the close games such what they did against the Seattle Mariners and on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres.

#2 Talk about Wednesday starting pitcher Kevin Guasman he’s not the number one starter without a reason throwing seven innings, four hits and one run scored and improves his ERA to 1.32.

#3 Michael, Darin Ruf was key in his home run at bat against the Padres on Wednesday he has two home runs in nine at bats now.

#4 The Giants last two wins are from two come from behind wins Giants manager Gabe Kapler knows that old saying all too well that good pitching beats good hitting and a team like the Padres will battle you.

#5 Next up for the Giants it’s the home opener against the Colorado Rockies (2-4) and the Giants Johnny Cueto is scheduled to get the call talk about his start and how important it is to be back at Oracle for the home opener on Friday.

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts on Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com