This is one of my favorite times of the sports year. The start of baseball season, the NCAA basketball tournaments and the NFL Draft preparations. I am also on Spring Break this week and has afforded me a lot of screen time watching sports and actually trying to make life changes for my health- more on that later.
The Giants have started the year 5-1 during the opening road trip to Cincinnati and Houston. I had said before that I am cautiously optimistic about the potential of this team and so far so good. Last season they were a boring team to watch. Lots of mistakes on defense and on the basepaths; along with an unwatchable offensive team meant they were not an appointment watch. This year is different. It would be a bit of an oversimplification to say that it his all because of Buster Posey but I do notice some of the same traits in this team that I observed in the championship[ teams of the 10’s. The ability for anyone in the lineup to do damage is so much greater than last year.
I am loving what I see from the starting pitching, Webb’s first outing while not horrible was very pedestrian but start number 2 was outstanding. The biggest surprise for me was Jordan Hicks, not so much his stuff, but how he was able to maintain it throughout his outing. Landon Roupp’s start today was great for 4 innings but started to struggle in the 5th. I am curious what will eventually happen with that 5th spot. Does Birdsong and Roupp switch with Roupp going back to bullpen or does Harrison or Whisenhunt take the spot? Both Harrison and Whisenhunt had great first outings at Triple A Sacramento.
Heliot Ramos is finally the man! I love what he is doing in LF and at the plate. I believe that the string of 17 straight years of a new left fielder is over! Ramos has tied Willie Mays for the most consecutive games with an extra base hit to start the season. He can break the record on Friday afternoon at the home opener against the Mariners (Verlander-SP). The Giants are running a lot more this season so far and successfully! The biggest improvement I have so far is the defense. Zero errors in the first 6 games and I believe that Chapman and Adames are the best left side of the infield in Major League Baseball.
The Final Four is this weekend with Florida playing Auburn and Duke playing Houston on Saturday with the championship game on Monday 4/7. My prediction from the start of the tournaments was Florida and I am sticking with it. I have loved the tournament so far. People are disappointed that there hasn’t been chaos and a bunch of upsets. I think those days are done. With the transfer portal and NIL money there will only be 6-8 teams that can legitimately win a national chmpionship. College sports are different but I am still trying to figure out whether it’s a good thing.
I will dig deeper into what the 49ers should do with there 11 picks in the draft but with there 1st pick it should be Will Campbell from LSU. If they are going to pay Brock Purdy, which they will, they must rebuild the offensive line and he is probably the best one out there. If he is already picked then the two other offensive lineman that I would consider is Membou from Missouri or Banks from Texas.
I am trying to get back in shape, it is super difficulty at 57 to do that! I joined a gym, have gone three days in a row and everything hurts. If I somehow pull this off, it will be one of the biggest upsets in history 😊
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