Curveballs and Changeups

Struggles from starting pitchers have become an issue for the SF Giants, though they've taken four of seven on the first two legs of their 10 game road trip. Breaking it all down here. Plus, a hard-hitting commentary on MLB's failure to talk about the tragedy of racism that existed in baseball before and after Jackie Robinson broke the segregated line in 1947.

The A's won three straight resoundingly against the Chicago White Sox as Tyler Sodorstrom continues his Reggie Jackson-like power surge. The Milwaukee Brewers will pose a test on the final leg of Sacramento's six-game road trip. Plus, I have a hard hitting commentary on MLB's failure to celebrate the true legacy of Jackie Robinson.

The A's dropped two of three to the New York Mets, closing out a homestead in which they lost 4 of 6. Yes, they showed signs of being able to compete with some of the best teams in the National League. But, you have to wonder how much they will be affected by losing at home, where they're playing at a AAA ballpark in front of 10,000 fans, half of whom are rooting for the visiting team.

Has Jung Hoo Lee cemented his status as superstar yet? He singlehandedly carried the San Francisco Giants to capturing a three-game series with the New York Yankees in New York. He hit two home runs Sunday after opening the series Friday with a three-run blast. SF heads to Philly now. I've got some analysis of the weekend games, plus a look at how to tweak an otherwise struggling lineup.

The A's played the San Diego Padres tough in a three-game series, winning one and losing two 1-run games. They now play host to another tough National League team, the New York Mets.

The Sacramento A's finally win at home, but even their two losses to the San Diego Padres were competitive. But, they continue to get tested with another tough National League team coming to town: the New York Mets.

The Giants avoid a sweep with an 8-6 comeback win over the Reds before heading to the East Coast to face the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies. Also: why not keep Logan Webb in longer in his duel with the Reds' Hunter Greene?

The Sacramento A's take two of three in Colorado in a reset after rough start in Sacramento. But now they face the formidable San Diego Padres right back in Sacramento.

The Giants have built their winning streak to 7 and have the best record in all of baseball, to the astonishment of the baseball world. How they did it and what they're facing.

The SF Giants' home opener comes after a 5-1 season-opening road trip , while the A's try to shake off a disastrous opening homestead with a trip to Colorado. Plus, I scan the major leagues and the silly leash managers are placing on starting pitchers. And, I have a little memory of my broadcast days at SF State.

The Giants took 2 of 3 from the Reds and the A's split four on the road against the Mariners as both teams gave a glimpse of intriguing story lines to follow in 2025.

It was just 1 game out of 162, but late-inning drama for both the A's and Giants made for an intense opening to the 2025 season. I lay out how Jose LcClerc's pitch selection may have doomed him, spoiling a wonderful effort by starter Luis 'Savvy Sevvy" Severino and the two HR day by 1B Tyler Sodorstrom. And I go into the late-game heroics by Wilmer Flores to snatch victory from th...

The A's and Giants are carrying good vibes out of Spring Training after both teams had strong showings. I take a look at both teams, their lineups and pitching rotations. I also have a comment on the pain Oakland fans are feeling as they see their team prepare for their first season in Sacramento. I also have a Did You Know segment and a comment on a nice column by the SF Chronicle's Ann K...

The Giants and A's got some bad news on the injury front: Jerar Encarnacion was put on the shelf for 4 to 5 weeks with a hairline fracture of his glove hand ring finger, a blow to the Giants middle of the lineup. And starting second baseman Zack Gelof's hand injury may be worse than the A's thought originally. What this all means as the two teams prepare to break camp and head into the...

SF Giants catcher Patrick has a beef with MLB's automatic balls and strikes system, which may be implemented in 2026. He worries it will take away the one attribute that makes him a Gold Glove catcher: his pitch framing skills. But, his boss, Buster Posey, says he should focus on other skill sets. I explore this after a quick update on the A's and Giants with less than a week to go until the 2025...

In today's Curveballs & Changeups, I give a quick take on the Giants and A's Spring Training clash over the weekend in the desert. And I then take down the analytics with the story of Matt Williams' when he blew the Washington Nationals' playoff hopes with his historic analytics blunder.

Lawrence Butler made a splash in his rookie year last year, something that was no sure thing after being drafted in the 6th round of the 2018 draft. In fact, most of the 172 players in the 2018 draft drafted before Butler have never made it. We take a look at the path he took to get to where he is now.

The second episode of Curveballs and Changeups features a discussion of the careers of Giants pitchers Justin Verlander and Logan Webb. I look at how Verlander's history of longevity can pave the way for Webb to take another step toward greatness. Also, a note: I've changed my podcast name, though not before recording this podcast, so you will hear references to the Hot Corner, for which this podc...

I'll take a look at some of the key players and upcoming decisions of the San Francisco Giants and Sacramento A's, including a deep dive into Giants' manager Bob Melvin's lineup construction; as well as some background into the two pitching acquisitions the A's made over the winter.