SF Giants: Previewing the potential 2020 Opening Day starters
By Seth Carlson
1. Could Johnny Cueto start Opening Day for the SF Giants?
2019 was a season to forget for right-hander Johnny Cueto. He spent most of it rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in August 2018.
He managed to come back for the final month of last season when he made four starts. In those games, he pitched a combined 16 innings, striking out 13 with nine walks and a 5.06 ERA.
As should be with pitchers coming off a significant injury, take those stats with a grain of salt.
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Cueto has otherwise been very good over the course of his career, having performed solidly for the Giants overall since signing a six-year, $130 million contract prior to the 2016 season.
A career 3.35 ERA and 3.81 FIP certainly indicate that a bounceback is in the cards for No. 47.
With his experience and steady presence expected to return in full health to the 2020 Giants, he appears to be a strong candidate to receive the opening day nod from new manager Gabe Kapler.