The Torture Cast

Chad covered the AT&T Pebble Beach Chevron charity shootout which pitted the Giants against the 49ers. We were able to catch up with Giants manager Bruce Bochy to talk about his golf game, the offseason acquisitions, and how his weight fluctuates like Pablo Sandoval's.Also be sure to check out our interviews with Matt Cain and George Kontos, and look out for player interviews from this Friday's "Media Day" at AT&T Park!@TortureCastfacebook.com/torturecasttorturecast.com

Now that the Super Bowl has happened, Eric and Chad take you through the maelstrom of Giant happenings over the past month. And spring training is almost here.We talk about our grades for the Giants' offseason, Juan Uribe is too expensive, the Giants have the highest payroll in 2021, Belt is heading towards arbitration, where Timmy may go, Vegas World Series odds, and Chad will be covering the Giants vs 49ers shootout at Pebble Beach and Media Day at AT&T Park with the internet's own Veronica Belmont!And, baseball is almost here!torturecast.com@torturecastfacebook.com/torturecast

The Giants signed two big starting pitchers, and their names don't start with a G. Willie and Chad talk about how Samardzija and Cueto make the Giants better than last year and how the Dodgers got worse. Oh, and the Warriors lost their first game of the season.

So, the Giants are no longer reigning champs. Big deal. They’ll do it next year, of course. Eric and Chad get together on Skype to discuss how the scrappy Royals made it all the way back to the World Series and how they won it after 8 of their 11 wins secured in comeback fashion, and the parallels drawn to the Giants’ 2012 six elimination game wins against the Reds and Cardinals. The Giants are also banking cash in large piles after declining the options on Nori Aoki and Marlon Byrd. Greinke, Price and Cueto may all be #1 targets of Bobby Evans and his staff, but we also ask if they may spread the money around a bit to a greater quantity of second-tier pitchers and a couple of outfielders. All we know is that this will be an exciting offseason as the Giants attempt to reload with more available cash than they’ve ever had, and during an offseason flush with quality starting pitchers.torturecast.com@torturecastfacebook.com/torturecast

Since 2011 we've brought (almost) weekly podcasts to chronicle the San Francisco Giants' season with cheer, torture, profanity and hope. We've been fortunate enough to cover two World Series championships, but this year was not meant to be. The Giants finished 84-78; in second place in the NL West. To be honest, given the injuries, this was not a horrible record, but surely far short of where the Giants and their fans wanted to be.Willie, Chad and Ben get together to wrap up the season in Episode 98 of the TortureCast. We offer up what went wrong and right for the Giants, and what their offseason priorities should be. Chad also has correctly predicted the last two season win totals at 88 in 2014 and 84 this year. Vegas had them at 84.5 wins for the over/under. No money changed hands.We offer our postseason winner predictions and who we want to win. All three of us settled on Cubs (want) and Cards (should). Besides, the Giants and Cards have alternated the NL pennant the last 5 years. Why should that change? I

In a tumultuous episode after a break from scheduling difficulties, Chad, Willie and Eric break down the chances for the Giants winning the NL West.As I type this at 11:15 pm, the Giants just won on a sac fly to left field in the bottom of the 12th inning to keep their chances on a morphine drip. The Giants are certainly not looking like they'll last long, but as we say, take it one game at a time.The boys use their humor and defensive mechanisms to get through episode 97.The Giants are still alive...mathematically anyway...Chad@TortureCastfacebook.com/torturecast

What the hell?! We take one measly week off and the Giants fall off a cliff?! We promise that we didn’t take a mercenary contract out on any of the players, or spike the Gatorade in LA. From 1 ½ games back of the Dodgers when we recorded episode 95 exactly 2 weeks ago, to an 8 ½ game chasm, the Giants’ season is all but mathematically over. So, sit back and commiserate with Chad, Ben and Eric in this eulogizing podcast. Damn, this odd year curse might actually be real.@torturecastFacebook.com/torturecasttorturecast.com

Despite a 2-5 road trip, the Giants actually GAINED a half a game on the Dodgers, who have lost 5 in a row, and now the Giants only sit 1 1/2 games back. Let's just not think of the wild card at this point.Chad and Eric are joined by Ryan Leong from Associated Press Radio, who covered all 4 games in Pittsburgh, plus the Steelers exhibition game. We talk about the series, pinch-hitting MadBum, the Giants' league-leading batting average, and their chances on catching the Dodgers. Really, it doesn't look to bad...at least now.

Chad visited the Giants clubhouse and interviewed reliever Hunter Strickland before the Giants beat the Nationals 8-5. Hunter discusses his lack of love for an automated strike zone, the confidence it takes to pitch in the majors, touts the camaraderie of the clubhouse, and being a southern boy, his favorite food is fried chicken, because of course you should know that.Be sure to check out our Bonusode (93.1) that was recorded after the game at Zeke's!

After Willie and Chad covered game 2 of the Nationals-Giants series, they were joined by regular guest Jen Cosgriff and new guest JuanPedro Huerta at Zeke's for a boisterous bonusode. We discuss the game, Jen's destruction of California teams during her midwest trip, the "Full Clubhouse" parody and more while we pound back a few adult beverages.

The boys are back after a vacation break to bring you some heartache, but silver linings. The Giants were swept by the Cubs, but thanks to the Pirates and Nats, sit only 2.5 games back of the Dodgers. We talk starting rotation, injuries, who we love and hate, and basically sing a huge kumbaya. You can follow us on Twitter @TortureCast, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/torturecast or check out our website at torturecast.com.

Ben, Eric and Chad discuss the sweep of the Phillies, the HR derby, and what Bochy should do in the All Star game. twitter.com/TortureCastfacebook.com/TortureCastwww.TortureCast.com

Hey, it's our first Bonusode of the season! After Wille and Chad covered the destruction of the Phillies at AT&T Park, they strolled from the press box to Zeke's to pontificate on the glorious night that was, the upcoming All-Star game, and Chad's interviews with Crawford and Duffy prior to the game. Light 'em up, cuz this is a good 'n happy one!You can hear the Brandon Crawford here: http://torturecast.podomatic.com/entry/2015-07-10T20_25_52-07_00You can hear the Matt Duffy interview here: http://torturecast.podomatic.com/entry/2015-07-10T20_22_24-07_00Twitter.com/TortureCastFacebook.com/TortureCastTortureCast.com

Chad interviews All Star Brandon Crawford before tonight's game against the Phillies. Brandon talks about busting slumps, hopefully getting into the All Star game at the same time with Joe Panik, and gives some advice to other 5 year olds (like the iconic picture of him as a 5 year old at Candlestick). TortureCast.comtwitter.com/TortureCastFacebook.com/TortureCast

Chad interviewed Giants' third baseman Matt Duffy before Friday's game against the Phillies. Matt talks about his ascension to fame, how he gets over slumps, praise for the new All Stars and how not to piss off Vogey.

The Giants have been a streaky team this year, and this week is no different being mired in a seven game skid. Willie and Chad talk about the Giants recent struggles, injuries, the return of Cain and Peavy, and beat up on Don Mattingly. We also made ourselves feel better talking about the four Giants that were selected to the All Star game.@TortureCastwww.TortureCast.comFacebook.com/TortureCast

The Giants went 4-2 for the week, which is something amazing considering they were under.500 at home. Despite a 12-13 June (ok, they can still be .500 with a win tonight), the Giants are only 1/2 game back of the Dodgers. Chad and Ben discuss the month of June, the All Star game voting, Duffy and more!

The Giants are a mere 1/2 game back of the Dodgers despite going 12-13 for the month of June (really? June swoon?). Although the Giants can have an even .500 month, the more important stat is that the Giants could be in first place when they start July.Chad and Ben discuss the 4-2 week, the starting rotation, and painful childhood memories in episode 90 of the TortureCast!

The whole gang is back together to recap the week that was in the land of black and orange. Who's out of the rotation when Peavy and Cain return? Is Crawford an All-Star? Is Pete Rose really that big of a douche? (answer: yes). We also take a moment to remember former Giant Darryl "Hambone" Hamilton, who was tragically killed early this morning. Once a Giant, always a Giant.

We had a power outage that prevented our last podcast, then acts of God that prevented our next scheduled podcast, but with the Giants entering Chavez Ravine, Chad decided it's about time we talk Giants ball! Chad catches up with the Giants "meaty" season, their road domination and underwhelming home performance. There's also catching up to do with Heston's no-no, the Giants' visit to the White House, the draft, McGehee coming back, Scutaro re-signing, Scandoval, MLB canceling 60 million votes, and what in the hell do the Giants do when Cain and Peavy come back?!Oh, and the Giants beat LA tonight 9-5 and are 1 1/2 games back. Enjoy episode 88 of the TortureCast!