The Conversation

The Colonel and I convened at the Mos Eisley Cantina full of excitement for the Dodgers-Giants game. Not only has the Giants finally called up Brandon Belt and sat the struggling Aubrey Huff, but the Giants finally made a trade. The Giants traded two prospects for Astros utility infielder Jeff Keppinger. Keppinger won't play till tomorrow but the Colonel and I couldn't be more excited to see Belt in the big leagues again.

So we discussed the game, Belt, the Keppinger trade, and other happenings over burgers and a round of beers at Mos Eisley. The Boz and Bandit occasionally gave us their two cents.

The Colonel: So do you like this Keppinger trade?

49er16: I do for a couple of reasons. First he can play more than one position in the infield. So he's like a younger Uribe. Secondly, while he doesn't walk a lot, he also doesn't strike out. He's like Freddy Sanchez. Okay OBP and a above average batting average.

The Colonel: So a typical Sabean trade then? Not a star player, but someone who can do a little of everything in the field and hit a little?

The Bandit: Much better than trading for Ryan Garko again. That guy stunk.

49er16: Yeah, he's not another Ryan Garko. His BABIP numbers are kind of scary but you look at his wRC+ stat and he's above average. So that tells me while he can be unlucky he will usually drive in runs with people on base which is something the Giants desperately need. His wRC+ right now ranks fourth on the team. So he can be productive wherever he plays.

The Colonel: Well that's good. The Giants need hitters who can not only drive in runs, but create runs.
The other big storyline from this game was the Brandon Belt call up. Now let's back up for a moment.

Belt was a top prospect in the Giants system and a guy who had an outstanding spring training. Because Cody Ross started the year on the DL, Belt made the big leagues right out of spring training. He hit a home run in the first series of the year and then struggled. Ross came back and Belt was sent to Triple-A. Belt was brought back up to the majors and then he broke his wrist and was sent back to the minors. Well he was brought back up today to replace Huff who has a lower back injury. I doubt Huff is that injured.


The Colonel: Do you really believe Huff is that injured? I don't think he is. I think Bochy and Sabean want to see if Belt is ready to stay in the majors the rest of the year and take over the starting position from Huff.

49er16: I agree. While I do think Huff is nicked up, I think this is also a trial period for Belt. The Giants want to see if his next go around against major league pitching goes better than his first go around. And Huff is a good enough guy that if Belt takes his job, he's not going to complain. He's a trooper that way.

The Boz: I hope either two things happen. Belt takes Huff's job. Or the time off gives clears Huff's mind and hopefully whatever ailment he has goes away and hopefully that is all what he needed. I'm tired of watching him ground out to 2nd base every AB.

While we're talking about this, Belt hits a home run in the second inning. Belt has hit two home runs in his career and they're both been against the Dodgers. If Belt becomes a Dodger killer, that will be fine with me.

Pic via Natto

The Colonel: Have I talked about lately how the Ottoman Empire collapsed?

The Boz and I both have annoyed looks on our face because we've heard this story a million times.

The Boz and I: Yes!!!!!!

The Colonel: Okay, we'll move on then.

The game itself has been exciting. The Giants took a 2-0 lead only to see Bumgarner give up three runs and the lead. The Giants then tied the game in the fifth inning. The game stays tied until the seventh inning when the Giants put two runners on base with one out. The Dodgers IBB Sandoval and Bochy pinch ran Manny Burriss for Sandoval which has disaster written all over it.

The Colonel: Oh Bochy don't do this. Sandoval is our best hitter and you're pulling him with the game tied. No way this move doesn't bite the Giants on the ass.

As soon as the Colonel says this, Burriss damn near gets picked off. After Nate Schierholtz strikes out and Cody Ross is walked to load the bases. Brandon Belt comes up and knocks in two runs to give the Giants a two-run lead.

49er16: I don't think that move is going to bite Bochy on the ass now. By the way, Aubrey Huff can just sit on the bench for Belt. In one game Belt has been more useful than Huff has been this entire month.

The Entire Bar: Here! Here!

The Colonel: I definitely feel more comfortable with the Giants lineup now that Belt is up, Sandoval is raking, and Keppinger is on his way.

49er16: Definitely. If Belt is just a slight improvement over Huff the Giants lineup will be much more better. They'll at least will be able to score a little bit more. Sure they won't be the Cincinnati Reds, but they don't have to be the Seattle Mariners.

The Giants would go on to win the game and now have won six straight wins against the Dodgers and can go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon with Lincecum on the mound. There were good vibes at the ballpark and good vibes in the bar. Hopefully the Giants can take this momentum in this upcoming 9-game stretch against Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati.

Just another night at the Mos Eisley Cantina.