We met at 7:30 and the normal crew was in their regular spots. The Boz served us two Coors Banquets and we talked about the Giants mess at the moment.
Before the Giants even played the Braves this evening, damn near everyone on the Giants had to sit out the game because of an injury. Seriously. The only bench players for the Giants were Mark DeRosa and Eli Whiteside. Which is really only one player because DeRosa's wrist could explode at any moment. I mean look at the players injured right now for the Giants against the Braves.
Posey- Out for season
Freddy Sanchez- Out for season
Beltran- Placed on DL
Keppinger- Injured
Rowand- Injured
Schierholtz- Injured
Brian Wilson is also fighting a bad back and the Giants best reliever, Sergio Romo, was placed on the DL. The Giants had to play Tuesday's game against the Braves with Pablo Sandoval at 1st base with Aubrey Huff and Brandon Belt roaming the outfield with Cody Ross at Centerfield. If you can't figure it out, Sandoval, Huff, and Belt all played out of position. The Giants had no choice though. Everyone is fighting injuries.
To top that all off, Giants starting pitcher Jonathon Sanchez hurt his ankle in the third inning of Tuesday's game. So the Giants bullpen had to chew up a bunch of innings.
So when the Colonel and I met at Mos Eisley Cantina on Tuesday night, we weren't even upset at the fact the Giants lost in extra innings. In fact we were kind of proud of the boys.
"I have to admit," I say. "I'm not even mad about tonight's game. In fact I'm proud of the guys.
Several of the Giants had to play out of position. Miguel Tejada had to return from the DL despite not making any rehab starts in the minors. And the bullpen held on as long as they could. Aubrey Huff made a spectacular play in the outfield to save the game. Orlando Cabrera helped turn a sweet double play. They did all they could with an injured squad. Sometimes you just have to accept defeat."
"I thought the Braves celebration said more than anything," said the Colonel. "They celebrated that victory like they just won the World Series. They could only score one run in 8 innings against the Giants bullpen and were taken into extra innings despite everyone on the Giants is injured. I don't see them going that far in the playoffs if they celebrate a victory like that."
"I never thought of that," I said. "I remember last year when the Padres celebrated a walk-off win against the Giants late last season. You just knew they were cooked."
"Exactly," says the Colonel. "The team besides the Phillies I wouldn't want to play is the Brewers. The Braves really aren't a contender."
"Overbay drilling that double off of Halladay has me thinking," I say. "The serpents are destined to win the NL West this season. I mean seriously. Lyle Overbay? Now I know how opposing teams felt when Pat Burrell beat them. The washed up veteran driving the stake through the hearts. It's meant to be for the Diamondbacks."
"Yep," says the Colonel. "I think it is destiny for the serpents. Unlike the Giants though last season, I don't see them going that far in the playoffs. Their pitching is decent, but it's not as good as the Giants last year."
"I agree there," I say. "One problem though. They actually have an offense that can compete with the Phillies or Brewers. Even if they don't get great pitching, their offense can score 6 to 7 runs a night easily. Their offense is pretty damn good."
"True," says the Colonel who polishes off his beer and looks at his watch. "Whelp I have to leave now. I have to get back to the office and finish off some paperwork from my latest case."
And like that the Colonel was off. I went home as well and watched "A League of Their Own" on AMC. Marla Hooch, what a player!
Please Phillies beat the serpents today.
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