The Torture Cast

For at least 24 hours, the San Francisco Giants have the best record in all of baseball at 54-33, yes, even better than the Chicago Cubs that are starting their entire infield in the All Star game, plus Dexter Fowler (which is a complete joke). We focus on what the keys have been to their success, and what keys lie forward in the second half to ensure that they win the NL West. The All Star snub of Brandon Crawford, Belt in the final five, and the grease fire that is the Giants' bullpen round out this fine baseball conversation with Chad, Eric and Ben.www.torturecast.com@torturecast on TwitterLike us on facebook.com/torturecast

Just a quick summary of thoughts and quotes from Bruce Bochy's pre-game presser from the dugout.

Chad and Eric talk about the Giants’ second 8 game winning streak of the season, the incredible pitching they have been benefitting from, All-Star voting, Duffy’s injury, who’s hot, and Timmy’s great performance in his first start with the Angels. And, if you’re not a Warriors fan, don’t listen to the first part of the podcast as Chad laments on what could have been the completion to a historic season. Like us on Facebook.com/TorturecastFollow us on Twitter @TortureCastVisit www.torturecast.com

Chad and Eric discuss the weekend series against the Dodgers, which saw the Giants take 2 out of 3 very close, fun and competitive games. Other topics include splash hit #69, Belt's offensive surge, Posey's recent struggles, Timmy's AAA starts for the Angels, and the Giants' interest in a trade for Ryan Braun now that Pence is on the shelf until August.

Hey, look at that. Brandon Belt getting hit on by a giraffe.Chad and Eric are giddy about the Giants’ 6-game winning streak that is buoyed by the team’s pitching, with an ERA of 1.86 over that stretch. Cain has two consecutive great starts, and even Peavy wasn’t bad. The top three continue to dominate, all with sub-3 ERAs, and the 3 run homeruns by Peavy and Crawford were huge game-deciders. Of course, there’s Timmy, who decided to sign with the Angels. Bochy said that he might look good in red, but we’re not so sure (*cough* 2002 *cough*). Let’s keep this “first place” thing a thing.

Eric and Chad record episode 104 to discuss the recent series split against Colorado, and the first loss of the 3 game series against Toronto. The fact that we're HAPPY that Peavy ONLY gave up 3 runs in 5 innings tonight is a bit sad. The back end of the rotation is now 1-8, while the first three are 12-5. Timmy isn't necessarily the answer, but we're not sure the Giants have many other options.Oh, and Steph Curry is a god.

Chad goes solo in this short 103rd episode to talk about the latest homestand and road trip, who's hot, and who's not (*cough* Jake Peavy *cough*), and what to do about the struggles from the back end of the rotation.

In our 102nd podcast, Eric and Chad break down the second week of the 2016 season that saw the Giants go 2-4 while our livers broke down even more. Our G-men dropped 2 of 3 in each city of Denver and LA, but not all is lost as we look at the positives of Samardzija’s and Cueto’s starts. Posey snapped his 18 AB hitless streak, Romo and Adrianza went on the DL, Duffy’s slump, Derek Law made his dad very happy, we share our concerns about Peavy and Lopez, how Samardzija met his wife, and Vin Scully’s dulcet tones as he recounts how MadBum and his wife saved a rabbit from a rattlesnake’s belly. Don’t forget to follow us @TortureCast on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and check out our articles, including Eric’s “Friday Five” at TortureCast.com!

The Giants started the season 5-2, taking 2 of 3 in Milwaukee and 3 of 4 from LA. All 5 wins were from the comeback variety. The Giants also hit 14 homeruns and for the first time since 2003, hit homeruns in their first 7 games. Chad and Eric discuss the details of the week in episode 101 of the TortureCast!

Although this is audio recording 145 (or thereabouts), we’re celebrating the 100th episode of the TortureCast! No big cake. No confetti. Just us.Ben, Eric and Chad gather around the proverbial campfire to talk about their expectations for the 2016 season, including their predictions for the number of wins for the Giants. Now, Chad has something at stake, as he’s predicted the EXACT number of wins for 3 of the last 4 years: 84 last year, 88 in 2014, and 92 in 2012. The only year he was off was 2013, but he predicted his low of 82, which corresponded with the low bar of 76 wins, the lowest since 2008. The year’s predictions:Chad: 90 first placeBen: 86 first placeEric: 94 first placeWillie: N/AWe also discuss our favorite episode, the coolest thing we’ve done as a part of this podcast, and our predictions for most HR, lowest ERA and best batting average.Come join us for our centennial!

TortureCast's Chad King and Veronica Belmont interviewed Matt Duffy at "Media Day" at AT&T Park.In our longest interview of the day, a pleasurable Matt Duffy talks about his rocket ride to success, who is the smartest on the team, and his time travel destination being the 2014 World Series Parade. Duffman, indeed.

TortureCast's Chad King and Veronica Belmont interviewed Giants' second baseman Kelby Tomlinson at "Media Day" at AT&T Park.Veronica asks Kelby about why glasses instead of contacts, Kelby talks about his offseason conditioning routine, and he gets stumped by our time travel question.

TortureCast's Chad King and Veronica Belmont interviewed Hunter Pence at "Media Day" at AT&T Park.Hunter is in love with the new additions to the rotation, Veronica and Hunter talk guide dogs and if he and his fiancee should get a puppy (Veronica says yes), and we talk time travel. Yep, this is a Hunter Pence interview.

TortureCast's Chad King and Veronica Belmont interviewed Buster Posey at "Media Day" at AT&T Park.Buster talks about his career high in games and plate appearances last year and if that had anything to do with playing first base more often, starters potentially eating more innings this year, and although he's not a "fan" of the DH, he'd like to see a poll of baseball fans on the topic.

TortureCast's Chad King and Veronica Belmont interviewed Brandon Crawford at "Media Day" at AT&T Park.Brandon talks about how have three kids changes parental defense from "one on one" to "zone." We also talk about his surging power numbers, his gold glove and how freak injuries and conditioning contributed to his ups and downs last year. Also, the Giants commercials and how they had to modify a men's medium t-shirt for his shoot.

TortureCast's Chad King and Veronica Belmont interviewed Brandon Belt at "Media Day" at AT&T Park. Belt talks about his lack of concussion symptoms, the latest giraffe commercial, how him and Crawford are "rebranding" themselves, and his impressions of the offseason moves.

TortureCast's Chad King and Veronica Belmont caught up with Giants second baseman Joe Panik at Media Day at AT&T Park. Joe says his back is cleared by the doctors, his wedding date is set, and he's looking forward to playing the Yankees this year, and destroying the Red Sox.

TortureCast's Chad King and the internet's Veronica Belmont caught up with Matt Cain at the Giants' "Media Day" at AT&T Park on 2/12/16. We talk golf and contractually prohibited activities such as SCUBA diving, which he really wants to do.

Chad covered the AT&T Pebble Beach Chevron charity shootout which pitted the Giants against the 49ers. He was able to catch up with Giants reliever George Kontos to talk about his golf game, the offseason acquisitions, and his first purchase with his new contract money. Also be sure to check out our interviews with Matt Cain and Bruce Bochy, and look out for player interviews from this Friday's "Media Day" at AT&T Park! @TortureCast facebook.com/torturecast torturecast.com

Chad covered the AT&T Pebble Beach Chevron charity shootout which pitted the Giants against the 49ers. He was able to catch up with Giants pitcher Matt Cain to talk about his golf game, the offseason acquisitions, and his lack of fear of decapitating the crowd on the first tee. Also be sure to check out our interviews with Bruce Bochy and George Kontos, and look out for player interviews from this Friday's "Media Day" at AT&T Park! @TortureCast facebook.com/torturecast torturecast.com