San Francisco Giants 3 Up, 3 Down: Split Four with Colorado

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – MAY 17: Jeff Samardzija #29 of the San Francisco Giants is relieved by manager Bruce Bochy #15 during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park on May 17, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

3 DOWN

1 – Short Starters

The Giants’ rotation continues to struggle. Jeff Samardzija got the series started well, giving up three runs in 6.2 innings for his best start since his season debut. Derek Holland followed with six innings on Friday, but manager Bruce Bochy really had to push him to get through the sixth while he gave up four runs.

Chris Stratton continued his struggles on Saturday, giving up four runs (three earned) over five innings. He’s pitched to an 8.59 ERA and 2.182 WHIP with a .358/.440/.653 opponent slash-line in his last five starts. Ty Blach couldn’t get through the fifth in the finale, giving up four runs in 4.1 innings.

Luckily, the teeth of the bullpen has picked up the slack. Hunter Strickland, Tony Watson, Will Smith, Sam Dyson, and Reyes Moronta have combined for a 2.17 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, and 11.1 K/9 in 37.1 innings this month. But the team has continued to rely heavily on their bullpen, and they will eventually need some length out of their starters.

2 – Desmond

Ian Desmond came into the series against San Francisco hitting .171/.213/.349 on the year, and generally was one of the worst hitters in baseball. After an 0-4 in game one, he woke up and was the Rockies’ offense on Friday. A three-run home run in the fourth inning gave Colorado a 3-1 lead, and he padded that lead with a run-scoring double in the sixth. He had another hit plus two walks on Saturday, scoring a pair of runs. Though he went 0-4 again on Sunday, he worked a walk, stole a base, and scored the game-tying run in the seventh.

This has been a running theme for Giants’ pitching this year, they’ve done an excellent job of letting hitters who aren’t swinging well hurt them. Paul Goldschmidt earlier in the season is another great example.

Next: Comparing Giants Hitters to Last Season

3 – Down the Road

The daunting stretch of 17 games in 17 days is over, but the schedule doesn’t get easier from here. After a day off on Monday, the Giants start a two-game set against the Houston Astros and their ridiculous group of starting pitchers. They’ve got another day off on Thursday, then three games in Chicago against the Cubs before three games in Baseball Hell, Coors Field.

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