SF 4 PIT 3
The best story of the Giants 2018 season is the excellent work from rookie right-hander Dereck Rodriguez. For the third straight start the 26-year old from Arlington, Texas finished seven frames and allowed three or fewer hits and one or fewer runs. Today it was 7/2/1, and both times before that it was 7/3/0; he logged Game Scores of 72 (today), 78 (August 6th) and 71 (July 31st). Today he gave up just TWO HITS, and has given up a mere 61 hits in 80 innings pitched. Whatever he is doing it is working.
The bottom of the lineup got it done this afternoon, with Nick Hundley's (#8) two hits and two RBI, Steven Duggar's (#7) two hits and a run scored, Joe Panik's (#6) two RBI, and Gorkys' (#5) two runs scored. Reyes Moronta and Tony Watson combined to give up two runs in the 8th in relief of D-Rod, making a 4-1 game a 4-3 game, but Will Smith closed it out on 15 pitches (and two whiffs) in the 9th.
On June 9th Dereck Rodriguez' ERA was 5.25 and after today--ten starts and one relief appearance later--it is 2.25! You have to like that.
It's Bumgarner vs. Kershaw tomorrow night in LA. GO GIANTS!
--M.C.
4 comments:
In a long parade of highly hyped rookies that are good enough to stick around, maybe, DRod is truly exciting.
No matter what else is going on, a Mad Bum vs. Kershaw game is something to look forward to. A little pleasant excitement in a week that has been difficult. Go Giants!!
Should be a great matchup tonight. Both pitchers have lost time due to injuries this year. We'll see if we get the low-scoring duel everyone is anticipating.
Dereck Rodriguez is the story of 2018. It would be nice to see a young position player emerge from this group as well. Steven Duggar, perhaps?
GO GIANTS!
The brass put together a team they thought would contend. Problem is the team has been plaqued by constant injuries. A healthy starting staff this year of Bumgarner and Cueto would have been formidable, and add De.Rod to that mix, and we would have quite the 1-2-3 punch. Holland has been a serviceable 4, guy, and if healthy Samardijah would have been a decent 5. Stratton lost his way, and Blach just is barely passable this year. The bullpen, despite its occasional failings, overall is as good a bullpen in depth that we have had in a long time. Giants fans complain that Cutch is too old, but look at Atlanta, Markakis is 34 and possibly having his best year. I do not see this team as terribly old. The one guy that kind of irks me with his approach, is Longo. He just will not take a walk. Note all the walks we took in the 13 run game against Pittsburgh. That lasted one game. Longo's fielding this year has not been up to his own career performance norms.
Post a Comment