Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants are getting their best player back for the biggest series of the year.
Mike Yastrzemski was atop the lineup and in right field for Game 1 of Friday’s doubleheader against the Padres at Oracle Park, the start of a four-game set that will finish the Giants’ regular season and perhaps their season.
Yastrzemski had been missing from the order the past seven games and made his return as a pinch-hitter Wednesday, flying out and not taking the field. He left last Thursday’s game early with what was diagnosed as a mild calf strain, and he’s picked up his running in the past few days.
In the week he missed, the Giants went 3-4 and sit narrowly in the last NL playoff spot at the moment, which can change in a hurry. Friday stands as the biggest day of the Giants’ season, a winning sweep enough to gain separation, a losing sweep enough to be fatal.
Tyler Anderson will start Game 1 against Chris Paddack, the Giants yet to announce who will oppose Dinelson Lamet for Game 2. Jeff Samardzija has been in consideration, though it’s difficult to envision the Giants turning to a veteran who went down Aug. 7 and hasn’t pitched in the majors since with their season on the line.
The full lineup:
1. Mike Yastrzemski, RF
2. Alex Dickerson, LF
3. Donovan Solano, 2B
4. Brandon Belt, 1B
5. Wilmer Flores, DH
6. Evan Longoria, 3B
7. Brandon Crawford, SS
8. Mauricio Dubon, CF
9. Joey Bart, C