Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Sure, a lefty is on the mound for the Braves.
But a day after the Giants officially were eliminated from the playoff chase, their lineup had some strong 2020-tryout vibes.
The all-righty lineup (including Cristhian Adames, who’s a switch-hitter) opens with Mauricio Dubon — at shortstop, spelling Brandon Crawford. If Crawford’s struggles continue next season, Dubon will see a lot more time on that side of second base.
Austin Slater, batting second, is getting another look at first base, where’s he’s played a couple games this year, last starting at that corner Sept. 8. Before the Giants recalled him, Slater played virtually everywhere except shortstop at Triple-A Sacramento, and his versatility will be a key to getting him into the 2020 lineup.
In Bruce Bochy’s last days as manager (right?), he plugged Buster Posey in again at the three-hole, followed by Evan Longoria and Kevin Pillar at their usual spots. Joey Rickard, who has slashed .263/.333/.368 in 20 games, will bat right in front of one of his competitors for playing time next season, Jaylin Davis. Davis, who’s from North Carolina and playing in front of a lot of friends and family in Atlanta, has made it back from getting drilled on the wrist, but is 3-for-24 in his brief debut.
Adames, whose start Wednesday was his first in the majors since April 11, 2017, and Johnny Cueto round out the order. Adames is 4-for-10 with five strikeouts since his call-up. He bounced between the minor and majors for Colorado for years before a twists-and-turns-filled 2019, in which he had a torrid spring training with the Cubs, was left off the major league roster, was sidelined for two months with a torn ligament in his hand then was released. The Giants picked him up, and his glove has impressed early on.
Here’s the full lineup against lefty Max Fried:
1. Mauricio Dubon, SS
2. Austin Slater, 1B
3. Buster Posey, C
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Kevin Pillar, CF
6. Joey Rickard, LF
7. Jaylin Davis, RF
8. Cristhian Adames, 2B
9. Johnny Cueto, P