SAN FRANCISCO — Jeff Samardzija’s return to the mound Saturday against the Cardinals marked the first time in the 2018 regular season that the Giants had all of their projected Opening Day starting pitchers in the rotation. Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, and Jeff Samardzija have all now returned to the team in a full-time major league capacity for the first time all year.
After Saturday’s 3-2 loss, Samardzija remarked how establishing a consistent routine will help the Giants’ starting pitchers moving forward.
“Yeah, you know rhythm is always great, whether it’s the lineup, or the defense, or the rotation, or the bullpen, guys knowing when they’re pitching and can plan ahead for that is always a good thing,” Samardzija said. “We’re creatures of habit and we like to prepare certain ways, and when that next outing is coming, that next start is, it’s either settle in and then as a team everyone will settle in and understand who’s throwing and where the lineup is, it’s usually a good thing. So a good rhythm is important, especially now in this part of the season, middle of summer, and making that run for the fall.”
The Giants have used 23 total pitchers in 2018, including nine different starters. Additionally, only two of the starters, Chris Stratton and Derek Holland, have pitched enough innings (one inning per team game played) to qualify for the ERA title. Stratton was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento Saturday, while Holland, who has been moved to the bullpen, pitched a scoreless sixth inning in relief.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy was also asked whether he thought a set rotation would help the Giants.
“I’d like to think so,” Bochy said. “I’d like to think we’ll get some consistency. And really, the pitching’s been doing a pretty good job, to be honest. But we have our guys back, and have this rotation set like we thought we’d have coming out of spring training with our three guys, and the two kids are throwing the ball well, that we will get consistent with the starting pitching. And that’s what gets you in a position where you can get on a roll, with those guys going out there, hopefully giving you quality starts.”
For more Giants videos click here.