Giants secure win with Logan Webb, anticipate Blake Snell’s debut
The San Francisco Giants had a rough time supporting Logan Webb last season, despite his impressive performance. Webb finished second in the National League Cy Young Award balloting and led the major leagues with 216 innings pitched. He also had the most quality starts and highest quality-start rate. Despite his valuable contributions, the Giants only won 15 out of his 33 starts.
Webb’s deep starts allowed for rest in the bullpen, but the Giants failed to capitalize on his productivity. However, the team has learned from their mistakes and made changes during the offseason. They invested in better infrastructure around Webb and other ground-ball generators in their roster. The Giants signed Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman and prioritized defense over offense by giving the shortstop job to Nick Ahmed. They also made multiyear investments in leadoff hitter Jung Hoo Lee and designated hitter Jorge Soler to create a diverse and dynamic lineup.
Despite these changes, the Giants lost their first two games of the season with Webb on the mound. However, in their ace’s first home start, they were able to secure a win against the Padres. Webb pitched seven innings, allowing only two runs before exiting the game. The Giants were able to score three runs, all of which were unearned, thanks to errors made by San Diego’s shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. Closer Camilo Doval recorded his first save, and the Giants won 3-2 to take two out of three in their first home series.
Webb remains focused on the team’s success rather than personal accomplishments. He acknowledges there are still things he needs to improve on but is happy as long as the team wins. The Giants are confident that the run support for Webb will come. Their hard-hit rate ranks near the top of the league, and manager Bob Melvin believes in the hitters’ track records of success. Although the bats haven’t broken out yet, Melvin is hopeful that the offense will come around. He emphasizes the importance of doing the little things right and creating an identity as a team.
Webb’s success against the Padres was aided by the Giants’ defensive plays. He induced 15 ground balls, and the team was able to generate 14 outs from them, including two double plays. Opponents are batting .160 when hitting the ball on the ground against Webb in his three starts this season. The Giants’ defensive infrastructure is allowing their ace to thrive.
Webb made adjustments during the game to improve his performance. His changeup wasn’t effective in the first inning, but he kept throwing it until he found a better feel for it. Although the Padres collected 10 hits against him, only three were groundballs that found a seam. The rest of the groundballs resulted in outs as the Giants’ defense played as envisioned.
Despite his success, Webb recognizes the importance of positive reinforcement. After a disappointing start against the Dodgers where he allowed only one grounder, Webb’s start against the Padres was a return to form. He remains optimistic about the team’s potential and believes they will continue to improve as they get more comfortable playing together.
The Giants have another valuable addition to their pitching staff with Blake Snell, the 2023 NL Cy Young Award winner. Snell will make his Giants debut against the Washington Nationals on Monday. He is known for pitching away from contact and preventing base hits. Although his workload will be limited in his first start due to a shortened spring training, the Giants are confident in their bullpen’s ability to support him.
In conclusion, the Giants secured a win with Logan Webb on the mound, despite their struggles to support him last season. They have made changes during the offseason to improve their infrastructure and create a diverse lineup capable of manufacturing runs. Webb’s success against the Padres showcased the effectiveness of their defensive plays. The Giants remain optimistic about their potential and are excited about Blake Snell’s debut. With the right support, Webb and Snell can lead the Giants to further success in the season.