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Related: About this forumSandoval's walk-off homer in Game 162 costs Giants No. 1 pick in 2018 draft
The Giants went into Sunday's season finale with baseball's worst record at 63-98, and the Tigers were right behind them at 64-97. Here are the various No. 1 pick clinching scenarios: Giants clinch No. 1 pick with a loss or a Tigers win. Tigers clinch No. 1 pick with a loss and a Giants win. What happened Sunday? The Giants won, thanks to Pablo Sandoval's walk-off home run against the Padres in Game 162 (SF 5, SD 4).
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/pablo-sandovals-walk-off-homer-in-game-162-costs-giants-no-1-pick-in-2018-draft/
Hahaha!!!!!!
TheDebbieDee
(11,119 posts)You are talking about game #162 of the 2017 season, right?
Yavin4
(35,445 posts)Yes, game #162 of the 2017 season
TheDebbieDee
(11,119 posts)Boston must have even DEEPER pockets than I thought to be able to cut Sandoval.
Iggo
(47,565 posts)nocalflea
(1,387 posts)Enjoy my tears y'all.
Brother Buzz
(36,463 posts)so there was a method to his madness for tagging that homer.
He hit .220 in 2017, baby, so the Giants optioned him for 2018; the grand rehabilitation experiment continues.
Auggie
(31,186 posts)I think management values him as an inexpensive bench player.
Maybe new hitting coach Alonzo Powell can work some magic. I think they should bring Barry Bonds back as a guest hitting instructor too (don't laugh -- Sandoval had productive seasons when Bonds coached him).
Brother Buzz
(36,463 posts)And admittedly, he's an entertaining player to watch, but unless he turns things around, he's gonna be playing in Sacramento trying to tune up his stick. Hell, I believe there are a couple of young player in Sacramento that would offer more versatility just chomping at the bit to take his slot. Can Sandoval play anything besides 1st and 3rd base?
And as far as southpaw pinch hitters hitters goes (AT&T park is built for left handed hitters), pitching ace, Madison Bumgarner would be my go to choice, but that's why Bochy is making the big bucks.
Auggie
(31,186 posts)Broken finger? Sprained wrist? Concussion? It's a disaster -- not worth it to lose your ace that way.
Brother Buzz
(36,463 posts)Admittedly, it was always late in the game when the bench was all but empty.
On edit: Doesn't he risk injury every time he comes to bat when he's pitching?
Auggie
(31,186 posts)I like to watch him bat too but he can't be a go-to unless the circumstances are really special.
We might see Pence and Sandoval/Span on the bench more next year -- solid options for right handed / left handed pinch hitting.