Catching Up on Giants Baseball

Late to the party Max and Jackson get back on the horse with a new episode, and all it took was the biggest Giants move in over a generation. We talk about it all. What are the Red Sox thinking? Will the Giants regret the move? How did this happen? What's next. All this and more! Email us at [email protected]

Max and Jackson break down the Giants last road trip where they went 5-5 with a mix of lucky and unlucky breaks. They say good teams play .500 on the road and clean up at home and that's exactly what the Giants did during this grueling 17 game stretch with no days off. This episode doesn't cover the most recent home stand but still covers all the big picture topics that either plague the Giants or are lifting them to the top of the NL West. Who's hitting and who's not? Is the starting pitching going to hold up? Birdsong is a super-reliever? What's wrong with Wade? We break down all these questions and more! Email us at [email protected]

Jackson and Max break down the big picture over the first two weeks of the series (through the Reds series.) Who's hot? What's working? And the fact that early on, this team is more fun to watch then Giants fans have experienced in years. Then we break down our thoughts on the new City Connect jerseys. Let us know what you think of the new jerseys and what is exciting you about the season so far. Email: [email protected] See city connect jerseys here

Max and Jackson break down the starting pitching outlook as spring training comes into the last couple weeks. The competition for the 5th starter spot is still fierce between Landon Roupp, Hayden Birdsong and Kyle Harrison.  With the top four settled we discuss what the floor and ceiling may be for this rotation, how realistic it is to expect strong seasons from Verlander, Ray and Hicks and examine the depth in the rotation and how the Giants could creatively use the abundance of young starters they have. Lastly we lament the fact that the Rays owner may be forced to sell after another stadium deal falling apart and the injustice of Major League Baseball insisting that they keep baseball in central Florida after paving a golden path for the A's to leave Oakland. Email us at [email protected]

Today Max and Jackson break down all the infield options. While some are obvious and steady, there are major question marks about who will fill those extra roles in the infield and designated hitter. Who is best served to back up Patrick Bailey? Is Tyler Fitzgerald really solidified his role as starting second baseman? Who gets left out and possibly traded? Lastly we give our bold predictions on what the new city connect uniforms will look like? Send us your ideas on the new city connects at [email protected]

Today Jackson and Max break down the outfielders on the current 40-man roster, looking at who is likely to be the opening day starters, who will earn that coveted fourth outfielder spot and will any of the young guys push for a larger role. Luciano, Matos, Encarnacion, even Wisely and Fitzgerald, we think it's wide open for others to get at bats in the outfield and prove they are part of the Giants long-term future. With no new signings of veteran outfielders and no one invited to camp as a non-roster invitee, it seems the new front office has the same idea. Lets see what these guys can do. Email us at [email protected]

This week Max and Jackson react to the move the Giants made to dump Taylor Rogers off to the Reds for a saving of $6 million. What exactly are the Giants doing and why are they participating in what seems to be a pure salary dump? We break down to whether this is a red flag or good business. Then we pivot to what the outlook of the bullpen is for next year and who will fill those undetermined roles? Lastly a discussion about the Hall of Fame. Does being unanimous matter, should character matter, are many counting stats irrelevant? We discuss our criteria for what makes a Hall of Famer these days. Email us at [email protected]

Max and Jackson break down the questions EVERYONE is asking...is what the Dodgers are doing bad for baseball? Also, the guys talk about the prospects of Verlander having a good season, who else the Giants may sign on a last minute deal and lament the foregone conclusion that Roki Sasaki was always going to be a Dodger. email us at [email protected]

Willy Adames is officially a Giant. Jackson and Max give their thoughts on how he fits the team on and off the field and why (it should be obvious) Giants fans should be excited. Then we talk Juan Soto and both of us think the contract is absurd and foolhardy? Are we wrong? Are we right? Are we jealous? You decide. Then we break down several different trade options and opportunities for the Giants. Some have been discussed as possibilities and some we haven't heard a whiff of, but we give our best ideas of what the Giants can do to improve the team by parting with some of their better young players.   Email us at [email protected]

It seems all Giants fans are set up for a let down this off season. There are not even whispers of interest in one of the best and youngest free agents in a generation in Juan Soto, and it's been reported that the Giants front office is aiming to cut payroll next year. With that in mind Max and Jackson talk about who the Giants could sign, who they might sign and who they believe the Giants SHOULD sign. Pitchers, first base, shortstop, the guys give their takes on what they would like to see and how they think that may fit into Buster Posey's actual plan. Lastly, Max gives his odd take on what he hopes the Giants will do and it's not what you might think. Email us at: [email protected]

We're back to recap the happenings in the front office and to dicuss what we think will be Buster Posey's front office style and philosophy. Will someone who better understands the unique culture that surrounds the Giants make a difference? Will Posey go all out for Snell? How will he handle prospects and what is he looking for in a GM? We tackle all these questions and more. Also we talk about how dynamic the playoffs have been and ask the impossible question of whether we are morally obligated as baseball fans to root for a Dodgers/Yankees World Series for the good and health of baseball and it's popularity? Contact us at [email protected]

We were thrilled to have something to talk about besides poor performances with runners on third less than two outs, being no-hit for six innings or starter meltdowns. Matt Chapman has signed a six year $151 million dollar extension and we break down why this deal makes sense and why the Giants HAD to do it. Will they regret the last couple years, maybe. Are Chapman slumps REALLY hard to watch, yes. But he provides a defensive anchor, solid offense and incredible leadership. We talk about it all. After that, we break down why we think the Giants may be the front runner to sign Blake Snell and whether they should go all in to get him signed as soon as possible. Email us at [email protected]

The Giants sit at .500, STILL, at the time of this recording but their playoff odds have dropped to a piddly 3%, so after a brief view of what happened in the last two series we talk about what we want to see the rest of the season. Jackson feels we need to find out more about what the Giants have in Thairo Estrada and they must preserve the important bullpen pieces for next year. Max says that Conforto should no longer be taking at bats in a Giant's uniform and that Jordan Hicks has already given more than expected and should be handled with great care. All that and more as we talk about what happened, what's next and where do we go from here.   Email us: [email protected]

Max and Jackson talked just before the White Sox series to discuss the state of the Giants, which frankly, hasn't changed at all after their series win but disappointing final game loss the MLB's bottom of the barrel franchise. In fact, nothing has really changed regarding the Giants hopes for the playoffs other than there are just fewer games left for them to get on a hot streak. We break down what's been good and bad over the last week, celebrate the final game at the Oakland Colosseum and start the process of asking what's next for this perpetually .500 franchise. Email us at: [email protected]  

This episode is coming out late as we recorded it a couple weeks ago. That said the conversations we kept are pertinent to what the Giants are doing today as they sit one game over .500 and this team is perpetually average and their vision is undefined. What is the plan with Luciano, how is Mark Canha now the BEST move they made at the trade deadline and what are the chances this teams makes a big turn for the positive. Reach out to us via email at: [email protected]

We're back and we break down the lackluster Giants' trade deadline. What exactly were they thinking? Or were they thinking at all? We aren't sure and we break down all of it? Shed contracts and money? They did a little but not enough to matter. Trade for prospects? They did a little but not enough to matter.  Sell and make sure your better next year? Nope. Buy and go all in on the team this year? Nope.   It was confusing, confounding and crazy making for fans and we talk about it all!   Email us: [email protected]

Max and Jackson break down all the changes and performances over the last week. We bid a fond farewell to Austin Slater and a less fond farewell for Nick Ahmed. We talk about what is it that makes this team so mediocre, the poor starts by Webb and Hicks, and for the love of God, DO NOT play LaMonte Wade and risk another hamstring injury. Then we break down our favorite jersey and least favorite jersey numbers and look back to past All-Star games for some nostalgia.   Email us at: [email protected]

This week Jackson and Max break down the Giants' series against the Dodgers and the Braves, where they won both series two games to one. Walk off wins, unexpected pitching performances, rookies shining bright and the bullpen continuing to dominate, this week had it all. In 2 ups and 1 down were look at just how good Logan Webb has been this year after back-to-back 7 inning, 2 run performances and the hope that the return of starting pitchers could catapult the Giants into the playoffs.  Then we look at some interesting candidates to trade away. We don't wish ill on anyone but we talk about the excitement that could be generated by trading some well performing, long time Giants. Listen to find out who we think the Giants should consider parting with. Email us at [email protected] Links: X games BMX dirt best trick

This week we talk about the the problem on everyone’s mind…what do you do when you only have two starters?? We discuss the extremely suspect decision of throwing Luke Jackson in the 10th inning, which resulted in a two-run homer and a loss. Next he hit on Melvin’s overall bullpen management and the inescapable fact that no matter how hard Farhan has tried, we are left to watch a slow, boring team, throwing bullpen games and lacks any excitement on offense.  Then we talk about Hayden Birdsong. Is he a character from True Blood or Fraggle Rock? Nope, he’s the Giants No. 6 prospect who has been pressed into major league duty a little more quickly than anyone would like, but he has electric stuff.  Lastly, we give our hopes and dreams for the rest of the year, after officially crossing the halfway point in the season.  Email us at [email protected]

Willie Mays passed away Tuesday at the age of 93. Even with both of us having been born more than a decade after he played his last game, his impact on our baseball lives as Giants fans.  On this episode we briefly recap the last week of games and then give our thoughts on the incomparable Willie Mays and what he meant to us as Giants fans. Then we talk about the beautiful spectacle that was the game at Rickwood Field which celebrated the Negro leagues in so many wonderful ways.  Only baseball, its own history and its pace of play allows for a game to serve as a three hour history lesson about our country's dark past, the light that still thrived within it, and to celebrate majesty that grew out of that light.  All that plus our fear of LaMonte Wade falling into a hamstring vortex.    Email us: [email protected]   Links and references from episode:  Andrew Baggarly Barry Bonds story Inside the clubhouse with Willie Mays Giants rewind with Willie Mays

This week the guys break down the two series against Texas teams and important questions are answered:  Should the Giants have kept Dubon over Estrada?  Why isn’t Yordon Alvarez more appreciated?  Why does the Rangers new stadium look like a giant Costco?  All these questions as well as our long term outlook for Ramos, Brett Wisely is quietly becoming a total stud and Max takes us on an unexpected ranty tangent about the automatic balls and strikes challenge system.    Email us! [email protected]

*This episode was recorded Friday morning but audio issues and editing schedule issues caused a delayed release. Just know we talk about a lot of relevant issues but we don't touch on the Rangers series. Thanks! This week we break down the Giants series against the D-Backs and Yankees, discussing the epic collapse by Camilo Doval in game three against the Yankees and the epic sunburn Jackson got attending that game. Who's fault is it that we don't have Aaron Judge smashing home runs for the Giants, what's wrong with Doval, how great has Ramos been, what can we expect from Wilmer? All these questions and more are answered on today's episode. We play a new game "Correction or Continue" where we ask if a recent hot or cold streak is due for a correction or likely to continue.   Email us!! [email protected]   Links: Pod Meets World Baz Lurhmann sunscreen song

This week Max and Jackson break down back to back series wins against the floundering Mets and the powerful Phillies. If the Mets go into full fire sale, who should the Giants rescue from that sinking ship. Then we hit the Bryce Harper brouhaha and the importance of pitching inside. Brett Wisely is killing it with a new swing change, Randy Rodriguez is unhittable and did the Giants handle LaMonte Wades tender hamstring irresponsibly? Probably, because now he's out at least a month! Then we preview the Yankees series and give our 90's nostalgia picks for the week.   Email us at [email protected]   Links: Deion vs Barry dunk contest Eno Saris article about front door sinker

Jackson and Max break down the wild and crazy week that saw the Giants sweep the Rockies and take two of three from the Pirates while averaging nearly 8 runs per game. Luis Matos winning player of the week, Matt Chapman putting on a one man show fit for Broadway and LaMonte Wade can't be kept off the bases, this week had it all. We give some of the highlights of the week and the lowlights as well (Blake Snell were looking at you) as we discuss an epic week in Giants baseball.  Then we talk about which of the three young players, Luis Matos, Heliot Ramos or Marco Luciano should stick around all year and then we answer the question on everyone's mind...who has the best mustache as we near the end of Mustache May?   Email us at [email protected]   Links: Bones Brigade Documentary Darren Lewis game

This week we ask two vital questions: 1) Is it early or is it over? 2) When did it all go wrong for the Giants? We get to the bottom of these deep philosophical quandaries and try to find some bright spots in the current season. We also break down the unprecedented rash of injuries and talk about which Rivercats turned Giants we are impressed with so far. Then, we preview the upcoming week, talk about the epic return of a backup catcher (yes that's where we are at this point folks,) and finally, give your our 90's nostalgia picks for the week.   Email us at [email protected]

Oh dear what a terrible week it’s been! Max and Jackson talk about the dismal destruction at the hands of the Phillies, the direly needed sweep that wasn’t in Colorado, and just generally ask and answer, what’s wrong with the Giants? We try our best to find some bright spots and then highlight the problematic injuries and who is most likely to replace the aging, injured veterans? Then we dig into some deep stats to see if there are answers hidden in the numbers. Turns out they are in plain sight! Lastly, we talk about the Luis Arraez trade to the Padres, talk about the greatest and most short lived celebration the Giants had this season, and give our 90’s nostalgia picks for the week.      Reach us by email at [email protected]  Links: This week in baseball on YouTube Lizard skins

We break down the last two series focusing on the Giants abysmal offensive output over the last week. Is this the best we can all hope for or is there more the Giants can do to produce more runs *Hint: we don’t think so.  Then we break down what’s ahead with a big four game series in Philidelphia. Will the Giants get slaughtered or will the friendly small confines of Citizen’s Bank Park spark the offense. Only time will tell. Also, Alec Bohm has a .1000+ OPS so don’t let him beat you.  Lastly, with a trip to Philly we talk about the merits of booing as a fan. When is it ok to boo your own team or is it ever ok? We give our thoughts on this pressing issue.  We end with our nostalgia picks for this week and it’s a classic sitcom and a classic 90’s sports video game. Reach us by email at [email protected]    Some fun links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=QxaQ9cKYQXo   https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=rTimaB1_xcQ    

This week we break down the D-Backs and Mets series. Why does the Giants current brand of baseball fell so frustratingly similar even though so many of the names on that backs of the jersey's have change. We highlight the bright spots in the bottom of the batting order and the starting pitcher and then dwell on the downer that is Blake Snell's injury and disappointing Giants tenure thus far. Then we look ahead to the Pirates and a loooong road trip. Finally we ask the most important question of this new season. With the new lighting system what song would we choose for our cinematic entrance as a closer? Email us with your choice [email protected]  

On today's episode Max and Jackson talk about the Giants win against the D-backs and ask whether it was the best win of the year. Then a look back at the Florida road trip. Was it a success or a disappointment? Next the hosts play "2 ups and 1 down" where the high leverage relievers feature heavily in both the good and the bad.  Lastly a look ahead to the importance of the long home stand and hopes for Blake Snell to get his season going tonight.  

Jackson and Max reconvene after a brutal series against the annoying Nationals and try to find some bright spots from the Giants win in the final game of the series.  In what is proving to be a weekly segment, we fawn over Jordan Hicks' most recent start. After considering the Florida road trip ahead we address the epidemic of pitcher injuries in Major League Baseball and beyond. Then have a little fun picking our favorite of "the Jacksons", this year's group of rising phenoms that all share the world's best first name (Max says that's debatable.) We cap it off with everyone's favorite section where we revisit some pieces of 90's nostalgia. This week we examine the frightening head hunting tactics used by Giants legend, Randy Johnson in the 1993 All-Star game and talk about our shared love for the best syndicated comic strip of all time. Links and sources: John Kruk vs The Big Unit Calvin and Hobbes dead bird Calvin and Hobbes snowman accident

Jackson and Max break down the first 10 games of the season talking about what they are liking thus far and what has been brutal to watch.  Then they talk about the A's move to Sacramento, something Max speaks personally to as a longtime Sacramento resident. The consensus: everyone is excited to go see OTHER players (not A's) play in the intimate ballpark, but lets be real, a major league team playing in a minor league stadium can't be classified as anything other than a travesty.  We give our good bye and good luck to Joey Bart.  Lastly we give our nostalgia picks for you to revisit. Get ready for classic pizza and classic television.  References and links:  The Sunday Read: Grant Marek on why the Bay Area man who runs the first-ever Round Table Pizza turned down $20 million

On the very first episode of Catching Up, your hosts Max and Jackson review the off-season, talk briefly about opening day and then give their obligatory "bold predictions" for the season.  They include their "anti-predictions" of what could go wrong this season and then talk about which player not on the opening day roster they are most excited to see make their debut.  Plus if Bob Melvin was forced to get a hand tattoo what would it be?  And Max and Jackson give their recommendations for a piece of 90's nostalgia you should revisit (or visit for the first time.)