SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS NOTES:
TODAY’S GAME: Following a brief three game homestand, the Giants are back out on the road tonight to open up a three-game series here in St. Louis…SF took three-of-four from St. Louis in late April back at Oracle Park…tonight’s game opens up a six-game trip overall for the Giants, who will travel to Los Angeles following Wednesday’s game to open up a series with the Dodgers Friday-Sunday…SF is 16-9 (.640) in its last 25 games dating to May 15, third-best in the NL.
ROSTER MOVES: RHP Keaton Winn (#67) was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento and RHP Tristan Beck was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento postgame yesterday.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW…: RHP Keaton Winn is on a Major League roster for the first time in his career and is seeking his Major League debut…Winn, who checked in as SF’s #14 prospect entering this season according to MLB.com, has a 0.75 ERA (1er, 12.0ip) with 18 strikeouts and five walks in his last three starts for Triple-A Sacramento dating to May 24… he’s made 12 appearances (nine starts) for the River Cats this year but never pitched longer than 4.1 innings or thrown more than 70 pitches.
THANKS FOR WAXING MY CAR, ROOK: So far this season the Giants have had six players make their Major League debuts (C Patrick Bailey, RHP Tristan Beck, IF Casey Schmitt, C/OF Blake Sabol, RHP Ryan Walker and IF/OF Brett Wisely)…if Winn can get into a game he would become the seventh Giant to make his debut this season…only the Reds (eight) and A’s (seven) have had more players make their MLB debuts this season…for reference, SF had nine players make their debut a season ago and five do so during the 2021 campaign.
ONE-TWO PUNCH: IF Thairo Estrada (2×4, 2 HR) and DH Joc Pederson (4×4, 2 HR) formed quite a duo at the top of the Giants lineup yesterday in the 13-3 win over the Cubs…they were the first pair of SF teammates to each record multi-homer games in the same game since OFs Kevin Pillar and Mike Yastrzemski did so August 16, 2019 at Arizona…yesterday was also the first time in team history that the Giants had their first and second batters in the lineup each record a multi-homer game…in fact since 1901 they are only the fourth pair of teammates to each record multi-homer games out of the one and two spot in the same game (Stats, LLC). No. 1 and No. 2 Hitters w/2+ Home Runs Each in Game – Since 1901 (reg + postseason) (Stats, LLC) Teammates Team Date Thairo Estrada & Joc Pederson Giants 6/11/23 vs. Chicago-NL George Springer & Alex Bregman Astros 5/12/19 vs. Texas Teoscar Hernandez & Josh Donaldson Blue Jays 9/26/17 at Boston Omar Infante & Jason Heyward Braves 8/22/10 at Chicago-NL
AND 1…: Yesterday, IF Brandon Crawford pitched the 9th inning in SF’s 13-3 win…it was Crawford’s first career game in the Majors at a position other than shortstop (1,564 career games there)…the 1,564 fielding games streak at one position is the second-longest in MLB prior to a player’s first pitching appearance since 1900 behind CHC’s Mark Grace (2,113 games at first base before his first app. on the hill) (Elias).
ROAD RULES CHALLENGE: Earlier this season the Giants were stumbling on the road but finding success at home…that script has flipped over the three weeks as the Giants have gone 8-2 (.800) in their last 10 road games since May 22, the second-best road winning % in that stretch behind Arizona (7-1, .875) while going 3-6 (.333) at home in that time…SF enters today 15-15 away from Oracle Park and has won three straight road games after sweeping Colorado at Coors Field last week.
FREDBIRD THE (NOT SO KIND) REDBIRD: Winning a series here in St. Louis has proven to be a challenge for the Giants in recent years as since 2013 the Giants have gone 2-7 in nine series here at Busch Stadium, recording series wins in 2014 and 2017 (note that the Giants did not play here during the shortened 2020 season)…more recently since 2015, the Giants are 7-15 (.318) here at Busch Stadium, their worst road winning percentage against any team (min. 20 road games).
Giants, Lowest Winning Percentage vs. Any Single Opponent Since 2015 (min. 20g) (Stats, LLC)
Opponent Win Pct
at St. Louis 7-15 (.318)
at Chicago-NL 8-16 (.333)
at Miami 9-17 (.346)
Opponent Win Pct
at Los Angeles-NL 28-45 (.384)
at Philadelphia 9-13 (.409)
TO THE LEFT…: The Giants have a .776 OPS versus left-handed pitching since May 9, which is 10th-best in MLB…prior to that date, the Giants had a .649 OPS vs. LHP, which was 26th in the Majors…IF Casey Schmitt (who debuted on May 9) has gone 15-for-33 vs. lefties in that span, best on the team…IF J.D. Davis is also 11-for-23 vs. LHP since Schimtt debuted (SIS).
LEFT SIDE…STRONG SIDE?: The Giants enter today 10-6 versus left-handed starters and are seeing their first lefty starter since May 29 when they defeated Rich Hill and the Pirates 14-4 at Oracle Park…the Giants are 8-1 in their last nine games when facing a left-handed starter dating to April 22…the Giants lone loss in that span (a 1-0 defeat) came on May 20 vs. Miami and their lefty starter Braxton Garrett…the Giants are also scheduled to get a lefty in Wednesday afternoon’s series finale.
PENMANSHIP: SF’s bullpen has been on a great run since May 2, leading the Majors with a 2.27 ERA while posting a 27.3 strikeout percentage (fifth-best in the Majors).
MLB, Bullpen ERA – Since May 2
Team ERA
Giants 2.27
Yankees 2.53
Padres 2.57
Team ERA
Guardians 2.81
White Sox 2.96
Twins 3.19
WE (ALMOST) IN GOOD COMPANY: C Patrick Bailey has recorded 14 RBI in his first 17 career games…with an RBI in his next three games he could join a very short list of NL catchers since 1920 (when RBI became an official stat) to have at least 15 RBI in their first 20 career games.
TODAY’S STARTER – LOGAN WEBB RHP #62
2023 RECORD: 4-6, 3.09 ERA
WITH THE GIANTS: Is in the midst of his fifth season with SF…made his fourth career Opening Day roster and his second consecutive Opening Day start with his outing on March 30 at the Yankees… signed a five-year, $90 million extension on April 14 that keeps him in a Giants uniform through 2028…the contract bought out his final two arbitration years and first three years of free agency.
LAST TIME OUT: Allowed four runs and pitched fewer than 6.0 full innings for the first time since April 5 in the Giants 5-4 comeback win last Wednesday in Colorado…Webb worked 5.1 innings and allowed the four runs on eight hits (one homer) while striking out three and walking two…the outing snapped an eight-game quality start streak that dated to April 22.
CORNER TURNED : Over his last nine starts, Webb has looked 49 like the 2021-2022 version, posting a 2.37 ERA (16er, 60.2ip) on 41 hits with 14 walks and 57 strikeouts…Webb’s 2.37 ERA since April 22 is fourth-best in MLB behind SD’s Michael Wacha (1.51), TEX’s Nathan Eovaldi (1.52) and TEX’s Jon Gray (1.82).
I WATCHED A CHANGE…IN YOU: Through his first four starts this year opponents hit .344 with a .563 slugging % off his changeup… in his last nine starts, opposing hitters have gone 20-for-112 (.179) against the pitch with four extra-base hits, 32 strikeouts and seven walks.
GOTTA MAKE WEBB DAY A WIN DAY…: Over the last 2+ seasons as Webb has come into his own, the Giants as a team are 44-27 (.620) in games that he has started since 2021…however, SF is 5-8 in his 13 starts this season 10-12 in his last 22 starts dating to August 13, 2022…in those 22 starts, Webb has received one or fewer runs of support 11 times…he himself has a 2.74 ERA in those 22 starts while posting an 8.89 K/9ip ratio and a 4.59 K/BB ratio.
SUPPORT SYSTEM: As mentioned above, the Giants have given Webb one or fewer runs of support in half of his last 22 starts dating to August 13, 2022…this season, Webb’s 2.67 run support average is second-lowest in the Majors among qualified pitchers… only KC’s Zack Greinke (2.57) has a lower RSA…in his last start vs. Colorado, the Giants did not score any runs while Webb was in the game, scoring all five of their runs after he had departed.
VS. ST. LOUIS: Will be making his sixth career start vs. the Cardinals tonight and fourth here at Busch Stadium…in Webb’s previous five outings vs. the Cardinals he’s 2-2 with a 5.55 ERA (15er, 24.1ip) while the Giants as a team have gone 3-2 in those five outings… earlier this year, Webb limited the Redbirds to two runs on seven hits in 6.2 innings back at Oracle Park on April 27 but the Giants still lost the game, 6-0…in his last two starts here at Busch Stadium he’s allowed two runs in 10. innings (1.80 ERA) with SF winning both games.
THE THRILL OF THE CHASE…: This season Webb’s chase rate is 33.0%, up from 30.7% a season ago and much closer to his 32.5% rate during his breakout 2021 campaign…overall, his career chase rate average sits at 30.1%…entering his start today, Webb’s 33.0% chase rate this season is 10th-best in the Majors but fourth-best in the National League among qualified starters behind ARI’s Merrill Kelly (33.7%), LAD’s Clayton Kershaw (33.0%) and ATL’s Spencer Strider (33.0%).
LIMITING THE FREEBIES: Entering tonight’s start Webb’s 5.1% walk rate would be the lowest of his career (his best season was a 6.0% walk rate in 2021)…overall, Webb’s career walk rate is 6.6%… he’s walked only 17 of the 334 batters he’s faced so far in 2023.
WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?: Through his first 13 starts Webb has been worth 1.6 Wins Above Replacement according to Fangraphs…that total is tied for 10th-best in the NL.
STAYING GROUNDED: His 59.4 groundball percentage this season is up from last year’s 56.7% mark and above his career
average of 57.1%…entering play today the 59.4 groundball % is third-best in the Majors behind CHC’s Marcus Stroman (61.0%) and HOU’s Framber Valdez (59.9%).
THIS IS MORE LIKE IT…: After allowing seven homers in his first six starts spanning 37.1 innings to begin the year, Webb has allowed two homers in his last six starts (39.1ip) and three since May 1 (47.0ip)…his 3.0 home run percentage is still way above his career norm (1.8%) but it’s at least coming down… he has allowed homers in back-to-back outings entering his start tonight here at Busch Stadium but his last start was also at Coors Field.
THAT’S STRIKEOUTS WITH A K: The righty has whiffed 85 batters in 84.1 innings so far in 2023 (9.07 K/9ip)…his 5.00 K/BB ratio is second-best in the NL behind only PHI’s Zack Wheeler (5.12)…for reference, Webb’s highest K/9 of his career came in his breakout 2021 season where he averaged 9.6 strikeouts per 9.0 innings…looking at this season a different way, Webb is striking out 25.4% of his batters faced (85 strikeouts in 334 batters faced)…last year his strikeout percentage was 20.7%.
EARLY RETURNS: Webb’s 69.2% first-pitch strike percentage is up from last year’s 65.3% average and above his career average of 64.8%…he posted a career-best 66.6% ground ball rate in his breakout 2021 campaign…his 69.2% first pitch strike percentage is third-best in the NL and fifth-best in the Majors entering play today.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NOTES:
RECENT REDBIRDS: The St. Louis Cardinals and visiting San Francisco Giants play the opener of a three-game series tonight at Busch Stadium … St. Louis opened its homestand by dropping two-of-three to division-rival Cincinnati as the Cardinals hit .091 (2-22) with runners in scoring position while stranding 25 runners on base over the weekend.
FLIGHT PATTERN: The Cardinals enter today in last place in the NL Central, 8.0 games behind first place Pittsburgh and 1.5 games behind fourth place Chicago …St. Louis has spent 47 of 74 days in last place on this season’s Major League schedule (April 26-May 19 and May 29-present) .. This season is the Cardinals worst start since beginning 27-39 (.409) in both the 1995 and 1990 campaigns.
HELSLEY TO INJURED LIST: Prior to tonight’s series opener, the Cardinals placed All-Star closer Ryan Helsley on the 15-Day Injured List with a right forearm strain (retroactive to June 10) and recalled right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford from Memphis (AAA) … In three rehab assignments for the Redbirds while recovering from right shoulder inflammation, Woodford was 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA (8.0 IP) and six strikeouts.
A SAN FRANCISCO TREAT: The Cardinals hold a 359-358 edge in their all-time series against the Giants since the franchise moved from New York to San Francisco in 1958 … Since 2018, St. Louis has won 10 of its last 13 games over the Giants at Busch Stadium.
STREAKING WITH NADO: Nolan Arenado is hitting .348/.423/.739 (16-46) with four homers, one triple, four doubles, five walks, 10 RBI, and a 1.162 OPS during his active 13-game on-base streak (May 27-present) … The 13-gamer ranks as MLB’s 4th-longest active and is Arenado’s best since reaching base safely in 16 games in a row from Sept. 24, 2022-April 9, 2023 … Arenado has an extra-base hit in six straight games (2B, HR, 2B, HR, HR, 3B) since June 5, MLB’s longest active streak and the tied for the 3rd-longest this season behind Chicago’s Christopher Morel (8) and Arizona’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (7) … Arenado also recorded an XBH in six straight earlier this season (May 10-16).
OUCH!: The Cardinals have had a hit batsmen in five straight games (June 6-present), the longest active streak in MLB and 2nd-longest this season (Mets, 6, April 2-8) … The Cardinals team record is six straight games: May 14-20, 2000 and May 22-28, 2019.
GOLD RUSH: Paul Goldschmidt was caught stealing second base in the 7th inning yesterday, ending a streak of 30 consecutive stolen bases without being caught since May 5, 2019, the longest stolen base streak among active Major Leaguers and the 2nd-longest in franchise history to Vince Coleman (50 straight stolen bases from Sept. 18, 1988-July 26, 1989) since caught stealing was first compiled in the NL in 1951. – Elias
TIME TO FLY: With the introduction of MLB’s new balanced schedule this season, the Cardinals are scheduled to travel 8,752 more miles (including trip to London) than they did in 2022, 2nd-biggest increase in miles behind San Francisco (+11,094) – Baseball Savant.
CORNERSTONE COMBO: Paul Goldschmidt (30 HR, 108 RBI) and Nolan Arenado (33 HR, 112 RBI) are the top two active leaders in home runs and RBI against the Giants … The duo is attempting to continue where Hall of Famer Stan “The Man” Musial left off, the all-time MLB leader against the Giants in runs (272), hits (504), RBI (312), home runs (89) … Arenado’s 33 dingers and 112 RBI are both his most against any opponent.
TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: LHP MATTHEW LIBERATORE (1-2, 6.00)
TONIGHT’S GAME
- Making his 4th start of the season (5th app.) and 11th career start (14th app.). This will be his first career start and appearance against the San Francisco Giants.
- Has made only three career home starts at Busch Stadium prior to tonight, making seven of his first 10 career starts on the road.
- Is 3-0 career in his home starts, having yet to allow a run (0.00 ERA) over 15.0 IP with just 9 hits allowed and 17 strikeouts. Has worked 5.0 IP, allowing 3 hits and no runs in each of his three home starts.
- Allowed his 1st HR of the 2023 season in his start last Tue. (6/6) at TEX. The 3rd inning solo HR by the Rangers’ Nathanial Lowe snapped his string of 13.0 homerless innings pitched to begin the season.
- Holding opposing LHB to .133 BA (2-15); RHB .318 (14-44) with each of his 8 walks.
- Was 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 46.0 innings pitched covering eight starts at Memphis (AAA) this season. Posted a 10-strikeout game at Gwinnett (4/12).
- Named Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April and International League Pitcher of the Month for April with a 3-0 mark and 2.14 ERA over 33.2 innings pitched with 45 strikeouts covering six starts in March/April.
- Was leading all Minor League pitchers at any level with 46.0 innings pitched and all
Triple-A pitchers with 56 strikeouts (3rd in MiLB) at the time of his recall on May 17. - The Cardinals are 6-4 in his 10 career starts and 9-4 overall in his 13 total appearances.
- 2021 Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
- Started for the National League in the 2021 SirusXM All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field in Denver and worked a perfect 1st inning retiring a trio of then-top 10 prospects in Bobby Witt, Jr., Jarred Kelenic, and Julio Rodriguez on just 13 pitches.
- Acquired in trade with Tampa Bay Rays on January 9, 2020 in a deal that sent OF Jose Martinez and OF Randy Arozarena to Tampa.
- Originally selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round (16th player overall) of the June, 2018 First-Year Player Draft, making him the highest drafted high school player in Rays franchise history.
LAST TIME OUT
- Made his shortest start (4.0 IP) of the season, allowing 5 runs, including his 1st home run of the year, in 6-4 loss at Texas last Tue. (6/6).
DATE vs. RESULT DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR NP-S
6/6 at TEX L, 6-4 L-2 4.0 7 5 4 2 2 1 85-47
2023 SEASON
- Began the season with Memphis (AAA) and made eight starts before getting recalled to St. Louis for a May 17 start vs. Milwaukee.
- Made his 2023 debut and threw 5.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball with three walks and six strikeouts. Posted the exact same line in each of his first two starts vs. the Brewers (5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 SO).
- Named Cardinals Minor League Pitcher of the Month and International League Pitcher of the Month for April with a 3-0 mark and 2.14 ERA over 33.2 innings pitched with 45 strikeouts covering six starts in March/April.
- Was leading all Minor League pitchers at any level with 46.0 innings pitched and all Triple-A pitchers with 56 strikeouts (3rd in MiLB) at the time of his recall.
