Austin Slater CF/LF had the big hit to back shutdown pitching from Johnny Cueto RHP and the bullpen, but Cueto left the game early with lat discomfort. Game Notes:
Slater broke open a scoreless game in the 5'th inning with a double up Triples Alley to drive in the first run. Slater took third on a passed ball and scored on a Fielders Choice with Curt Casali C reaching first base. R-CF has become quite a power alley for Austin Slater!
Cueto was cruising through two outs into the 6'th inning when he suddenly grimaced after a pitch and signaled that he was done. He's being evaluated for a possible lat strain. Fingers crossed it's not a prolonged IL stint for a rejuvenated Cueto.
Logan Webb RHP was used for one inning in relief signaling the Giants are confident Alex Wood LHP will be ready to join the rotation and Webb is the odd man out. Of course, Cueto's injury may mean Webb goes right back into the rotation. Got all that? I'll break down the rotation further later in the post.
Tyler Rogers RHP got his 6'th Hold and Jake McGee earned his 6'th Save. They both need the Giants travel day off tomorrow.
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The Giants head east for a spring road trip starting in Miami for a weekend series agains the Marlins. The travel day allows Logan Webb's rotation turn to be skipped with Anthony DeSclafani RHP starting Game 1 vs TBD. Aaron Sanchez RHP also moves up to take game 2 on Saturday with Wood dropping in on Sunday. Kevin Gausman RHP will presumably start Monday against the Phillies. That postpones the day of reckoning until next Tuesday, April 20 when Johnny Cueto's next turn falls. That would be where Webb steps back in if Cueto has to skip a start or 3.
Kudos to the bullpen which looked like a liability at the beginning of the season. Obviously Tyler Rogers and Jake McGee are the anchors, but Alvarez, Barager, and Peralta also looking solid. Starting pitching is solid so far, now if the bats come around, this team will open some eyes.
ReplyDeleteCueto going on the 10 day DL now may be a blessing in disguise. With 2020 being a pandemic shorten 60 game schedule, who knows how many innings these starting pitchers will be good for in 2021. The bullpen is doing a good job, but wondering if their current configuration of 2 right handers and 5 left handers will work long term.
ReplyDeleteIt may be premature but the Giants look like they can compete for a playoff spot and if they're competitive by the trading deadline I'd like to see them trade for a solid 8th inning guy from a team out of contention, like a Richard Rodriguez-type from the Pirates and maybe pick up a controllable arm so that they can avoid possibly having to start from scratch with starting pitching in 2022. I feel like Zaidi and company can harness the full potential of Yusei Kikuchi. Zaidi might have already pulled off a masterstroke if John Brebbia comes back in August and becomes that 8th inning guy! At least the team is playing entertaining baseball right now. Go Giants!
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