[ad_1]
The Giants are not going to playoffs this season, it's clear. The 1-0 defeat of the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday brought San Francisco down to six games under the .500 mark, while there are only 24 players left to play.
The next season offers a lot more optimism. Mike Yastrzemski, Kevin Pillar and Alex Dickerson are expected to enter the season and some of the hopes they have gained by the trade deadline have already contributed to the major league level, or should do so soon.
But if San Francisco wants to play a place in the playoffs, it will require other performances like that of Dereck Rodriguez Tuesday at Busch Stadium.
In seven rounds, Rodriguez has limited the Cardinals to five hits and a point to seven. He is on the rotation schedule for next season, but starts like this should provide much needed confidence for what will be a training session. important spring for the right-handed 27 year old.
"It has been a tough year for him, including going to Sacramento here," said Bruce Bochy, coach of the Giants, about Rodriguez, who fell to 5-8 with a 5 , 15 after the defeat. "I'm sure he would like to finish strong, I think it would be very big for him.
"He looked very determined tonight, good rebound after a difficult start and, I mean, he really started well.
"Yes, I think it would be important for him as he spends the off season throwing well this month."
[RELATED:[RELATED:[ENRELATION:[RELATED:Watch the Cardinals' foul ball run in one way or another just against the Giants]
As for the rotation of the Giants next year, Jeff Samardzija is a lock. Madison Bumgarner is also, if it's re-signed (duh). Logan Webb looks great in his first three starts and is not going anywhere. Tyler Beede has a living arm, but he must be more consistent. And then there is always the possibility of adding one or two free agents.
Rodriguez's strong performance against the Cardinals was not the only event that could have a significant impact on the San Francisco rotation next year, although this is the most positive. Kerry Crowley, of Bay Area News Group, said Johnny Cueto had felt contraction in the back after launching a pen-based session earlier in the day and that he should no longer face the Dodgers later this week.
Johnny Cueto has a tight back and is now "dubious" to present in Los Angeles. The giants will reevaluate it in a few days.
– Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) September 4, 2019
Cueto just underwent the operation of Tommy John and will be 34 years old in February. He is under contract for two additional seasons at $ 21 million per person, with a club option in 2022. Tuesday's setback does not mean that the Giants can not rely on Cueto in the rotation, but if Rodriguez can retain the form against which he has shown the cardinals, that will not be so worrying.
[ad_2]
Source link