San Francisco Giants Morning Minute: Shutdown Bullpen, a Good Problem

On this edition of the San Francisco Giants Morning Minute, we discuss the bullpen’s lockdown effort, and a good problem the team has.

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Good morning, San Francisco Giants’ fans, and welcome to another edition of the Giants Morning Minute. On Saturday, the Giants came away with their second straight win in the series over the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-2, clinching a series win in the final set before the break. George Kontos was the winner for the second time this season, while Robbie Ray took his seventh loss. Santiago Casilla finished off the ninth for his 21st save.

The Giants 56-33 record gives them the most wins in baseball, and the highest winning percentage (.629). Their 6.5-game lead in the division went unchanged Saturday, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 4-3.

Here’s what went on Saturday.

1 – Bullpen Locks it Down

Jake Peavy wasn’t his usual dominant self from his past eight or so starts on Saturday. He went just 4.1 innings and struggled to put away hitters, particularly in the first, fourth, and fifth innings, and left after allowing two runs on seven hits, and with two runners aboard. The bullpen, the same bullpen that has let plenty of slim leads slip through their fingertips, was tasked with getting 14 outs and protecting a one-run lead.

There would be no meltdown on Saturday. Javier Lopez and George Kontos combined to end the threat in the fifth, and Kontos would go on to pitch a clean sixth inning. Albert Suarez came in for the seventh, an unusual area for him, and allowed two runners to reach, one via walk and another via error on what could have been a double-play ball. Suarez steadied himself by getting the next two outs, including striking out All-Star Paul Goldschmidt, before giving way to Josh Osich, who ended the inning by getting Jake Lamb to ground out.

Then came the eighth inning, where Sergio Romo would pitch for the second consecutive day. Though he didn’t strike anyone out after putting away the side on Friday, he went through the inning cleanly. Santiago Casilla pitched through a double in the ninth, shutting the door and sealing the Giants 56th win of the season.

After beginning the season with only 12 saves in 16 opportunities, Casilla has gotten things in order and converted nine consecutive save chances. He’s now 21-for-25 on the year, and though his 84 percent conversion rate is still below league average for closers (88.8 percent), he’s slowly climbing back up the ladder.

2 – The Giants and Their Good Problem

Grant Green hit a two-run home run on Saturday in the fourth inning, which proved to be the game winner as the Giants took a lead they would not relinquish. In a short time, just eight games, Green has become another one of those guys who seemingly comes out of nowhere and makes an impact for the Giants. He’s slashing .300/.344/.433, and has driven in five runs.

A big roster crunch is coming for the Giants in the next few weeks. Starting second baseman Joe Panik and starting third baseman Matt Duffy are both expected back shortly after the All-Star break. Utility infielder Kelby Tomlinson is currently rehabbing with Triple-A Sacramento. Utility infielder Ehire Adrianza is slated to begin his rehab during the All-Star break.

Panik and Duffy will both be back in the big leagues and in the starting lineup. Adrianza is out of options. With Tomlinson struggling in his rehab stint (.138, nine strikeouts, zero walks) and having an option under his belt, the Giants could keep him down in Triple-A to continue to work his way back into big league form.

But Green, Ramiro Peña, Ruben Tejada, and Conor Gillaspie are all without options. So, for the sake of this exercise, say Panik is the first to return. The Giants could potentially send one of their rookie outfielders (Mac Williamson or Jarrett Parker) back to Sacramento to clear his 25-man roster spot. That would leave Green, who has plenty of outfield experience, as the team’s fifth outfielder. In addition, the outfielder who doesn’t get sent down in that scenario, be it Williamson or Parker, can go back when Pence is ready to return. They can then both return when rosters expand.