SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants are up against a left-handed starter Wednesday in their get-away day game against the Kansas City Royals at Oracle Park.
Fortunately it will only be for an inning or so as the Royals are expected to have a bullpen game with left-hander Daniel Lynch opening against the Giants’ Logan Webb.
The Giants have been anemic against lefty starters all season, most recently being shut down by Mitty and Stanford product Kris Bubic in the first game of the Kansas City series. In their series against the Athletics, lefty Jeffrey Springs retried 20 batters in a row after giving up leadoff homer to Heliot Ramos.
The grim numbers? The Giants have a .206 batting average, a .280 on-base percentage and a .348 slugging percentage.
“We have to be better against lefties. We really do,” Melvin said. “Or every time someone is going to look to throw a lefty at us.”
The Giants hope infielder Casey Schmitt, recently activated after a left oblique strain. During a nine-game road trip to Washington, Detroit and Miami, Melvin is hopeful right-handed hitter Jerar Encarnacion will join the roster.
“He’s going to start in Arizona and get some at-bats there, go to Triple-A and get more at-bats,” Melvin said. “It’s another big bat in the lineup and a guy who’s hit lefties in the past. We don’t just target him for lefties, but it’s another big bat in our lineup with power.”
Verlander up Right-hander Justin Verlander threw on the field under the watchful eye of trainer Dave Groeschner, then met with president of baseball operations Buster Posey. Melvin said after briefing the press he would be joining the conversation to determine whether Verlander’s pectoral issue will cause him to miss a start.
In four innings against the A’s, Verlander didn’t throw a pitch over 93 miles per hour, said he was dealing with a physical issue but declined to be specific. Melvin said it was a “pec” issue.
If Verlander doesn’t go, it’s possible left-hander Kyle Harrison could fill a spot in the rotation. Harrison is currently working out of the bullpen, but Melvin said he thought Harrison could stretch things out in a starting role.
Related Articles
Hayden Birdsong leads SF Giants to 3-2 win over Royals in return to rotation SF Giants’ bullpen, already best in MLB, could get even better. Here’s why. Mitty’s Kris Bubic flirts with no-hit bid in Royals’ 3-1 win over SF Giants David Villar’s time with SF Giants likely nearing an end after second DFA Verlander has concerning outing, but Heliot Ramos comes through for SF Giants“If we need him to start at any point in time soon, I think he can give us 50 pitches, so we’ll see where it goes,” Melvin said.
Harrison is in a similar role to Hayden Birdsong, who swapped his reliever’s role for a starter’s role with Jordan Hicks.
The Giants are off Thursday, and none of the starters for the upcoming Washington road series Friday through Sunday have been announced.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( SF Giants look to get out of left-handed rut on upcoming road trip )
Also on site :