MLB 2017 and Coaching from the Couch

MLB 2017 kicked off earlier this week. It's time for all couch managers to report for duty. I watch or listen to the San Francisco Giants regularly. Giants couch managers always have input for manager Bruch Bochy.

The Giants offense has been fine out of the gate. What wins pennants? Pitching decides who will be in the playoffs. Of course, solid defense and run production are important. When a team has offense, defense and strong pitching their chances of playing in October go up dramatically.

The starting pitching for the Giants has been good. Matt Cain excited early in his debut, but it could have been worse had it not been for some good defense, offense and a clutch out by reliever Cory Gearrin. The rest of the relievers appeared to be in 2016 mode. Giants relievers need to step-up and own the role of getting outs.

My first couch managing is a suggestion to manager Bruce Bochy. Enough of leaving relievers out there who clearly don't have it. It's very doubtful that any reliever who puts several men on base and then is responsible for having those bases cleared is suddenly going to find their pitches.  I know you are a former catcher and manager who is dedicated to letting pitchers get out of jams. Bruce we love you as the Giants manager and you have more baseball knowledge in your little finger than us couch managers have in our entire bodies, but you need to walk to the mound and pull those guys sooner. Please look out at the rubber and ask yourself, is this going to get any better? And then make that signal to the bullpen and give somebody else a chance, sooner rather than later.

Look for 158 more games of unsolicitated advice coming your way.

Go Bochy! Go Giants!!!