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SAN FRANCISCO – Logan Webb pitched one of baseball’s most epic playoff games in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, and he did so by forcing the Dodgers to become their worst enemies.
Webb was masterful in his first playoff career start, mixing up a dive change and a slider that moved away from right-handed hitters, then ran a bit more. But perhaps Webb’s biggest advantage was his ability to use the Dodgers’ aggressiveness and unusual eagerness to get out of the strike zone against them.
“For me that wasn’t necessarily the trick, because we’ve seen this pretty much all season,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said after Friday’s 4-0 win. “It was the calm, it was the demeanor, it was the balance on the big stage with an amazing atmosphere. He kind of channeled it all into his performance.”
Webb, 24, became one of baseball’s top starters during the second half of the Giants’ 107-game regular season, but he – like the team he plays for – has managed to remain relatively anonymous. . His performance in Game 1, in which he threw 7 2/3 of the shutout, allowing four hits and 10 strikeouts, was a game-changer.
Only 30 times in baseball history has a starting pitcher in a postseason game pitched at least 7 2/3 shutouts, allowed less than five hits and struck out 10 on strikes. But Webb did better; he’s one of only four pitchers, along with Cliff Lee, Jake Arrieta and Trevor Bauer, to do all of this and add zero walks.
“He’s got three elite shots so it’s definitely a luxury for me to pick,” said wide receiver Buster Posey. “He has the ability to get guys out in different ways, and that’s the recipe for success for sure.”
Webb’s side throws kept the Dodgers continually off balance, and the bottom four in line for the Dodgers finished 0 for 12 with seven strikeouts.
“To be honest, we just haven’t made any adjustments,” said Roberts. “He had some great stuff, but we just hunted a lot more than we should have. But yeah, thanks Logan.”
Kapler’s decision to pitch Webb against Kevin Gausman in Game 1 came as a slight surprise despite Webb’s dominance in the second half. Gausman himself had said before the game: “For me personally, I think Webby deserves it.” Webb finished an 11-3 regular season pitching seven innings and hitting a home run against the Padres in Game 162 for the Giants, winning the NL West on the final day of the regular season and sending the Dodgers to the Jokers game.
“I don’t think there is any question that Logan’s last game of the season extended into this one,” Kapler said. “He seems to be gaining momentum from the previous start to propel him into the next one.”
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