The Giants began a homestand after winning a series against the team with the best record in MLB.....and didn't faceplant! Home runs by Wilmer Flores and Matt Chapman led the lineup in backing up a Quality Start by Justin Verlander to take the first of a 3-game series against the Cubs. Key Lines:
Heliot Ramos LF- 3 for 3, 2B, BB, R, RBI. BA= .264. Ramos reaches base 4 times including a 2-out, RBI double in the 5'th inning. Every time I think he is hitting a wall, Ramos bounces back with a game like this.
Wilmer Flores DH- 1 for 3, HR(14), BB, 2 R, RBI. BA= .245. Flores opened the Giants scoring with a solo HR off former Giant Matt Boyd LHP who came in with an ERA of 2.61.
Matt Chapman 3B- 1 for 3, HR(17), BB, SB(9), R, 2 RBI. BA= .228. Chapman's hand did not seem to bother him as he muscled a HR out to L-CF in the 6'th inning for a couple of insurance runs.
Luis Matos RF- 1 for 3, 2B, R. BA= .212. Matos broke his string of 2-hit games but his leadoff double set up Ramos' RBI double in the 5'th inning. Stay hot!
Justin Verlander RHP- 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K's. ERA= 4.55. This was Verlander's 8'th Quality Start of the season. I bet Verlander promised Buster he would deliver 29 starts, 146 IP and a 4.55 ERA and Buster said "deal!" That's the pace Verlander is on.
Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's, Save(12). ERA= 3.57. Walker looks like a different pitcher than the first half of the season. Is he the presumptive Closer to start next season?
Carson Whisenhunt LHP tries to find traction on his MLB career tomorrow evening against Colin Rea RHP.
I watched highlights of the game. Devers did not show much effort in running out ground balls to 1B. It makes me question if it's his health or drive.
ReplyDeleteDevers had a mild hammy issue a few weeks ago so I'm not going to insist he run full speed on routine groundball outs. I've seen him hustle on plays that were close and held my breath each time.
Deletethanks doc
DeleteRumor making the rounds is Buster might be interested this offseason in shopping Whisenhunt and Black for Adley Rutschman. Not sure that'd be enough to interest Baltimore, though.
ReplyDeleteRutschman is an obvious trade candidate for the O's but there will be several teams interested so I doubt a package of Whisenhunt and Black comes close to getting it done.
DeleteBeware! Peak bWAR in rookie year, steady regression every year, 28 yo in 2026, many players peak at 27.
DeleteLet’s not confuse a fan article with rumors.
DeleteHomer here: Whisenhunt and Black are too much for Adley Rutschman!
DeleteDdespite his puzzling struggles on D, Ramos can hit, and seems to be the go-to guy for beat writers...does that = clubhouse leadership/accountability?
ReplyDeleteVerlander looks like he will be able to pitch next season . The Giants should give serious consideration to making him a one year offer with an option year or buyout attached.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Giant should extend the contract of Robbie Ray by a couple of years.
Just my two-cents.
The giants should definitely not extend Ray! They have him two more years for his age 34 and 35 seasons. He’s old and injury prone. Yeah he’s having a great year but we already have him for two more years, why would we extend him now? If he stays healthy and continues to pitch like this until his final year of his contract then there could be a reason to extend him but definitely no reason at all to extend him this far out. That would be a horribly poor decision
DeleteMLB announced its 2026 schedule on Tuesday, which technically opens on March 25 with the New York Yankees at the San Francisco Giants before a 14-game traditional Opening Day on Thursday, March 26, marking the earliest Opening Day ever, excluding international one-offs and other special events.
ReplyDeleteThe Athletic