SF Giants open road trip with three-game set vs. Rays

Apr 12, 2024, 9:45 AM

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 16: Jose Siri (R) #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays is tagged out by Tha...

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

While the San Francisco Giants haven’t gotten off to the start they were hoping for, a road trip to Florida gives them a chance to bounce back from a tough opening stretch.

The Giants (5-8) are set to embark on a six-game trip, starting with a Friday night clash against the Tampa Bay Rays (7-6), a team that has triumphed in four of their last five games.

Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has struggled out of the gates, as their 4.99 team ERA is ranked 24th out of 30 MLB teams.

After scoring three runs or fewer in five straight games, San Francisco’s offense enjoyed a breakout performance during Wednesday’s 7-1 win over the Washington Nationals.

Can the Giants continue to put together strong at-bats against a struggling Rays pitching staff?

A little afternoon rally 😎 pic.twitter.com/C19rNzFdOJ

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) April 10, 2024

Giants vs. Rays starters & first pitch time

Friday, April 12th | Keaton Winn (0-2, 5.73 ERA) vs. Jacob Waguespack (0-0, 9.00 ERA) | 1:10 PM PST

Saturday, April 13th | Logan Webb (0-1, 4.86 ERA) vs. Ryan Pepiot (1-1, 4.63 ERA) | 10:40 AM PST

Sunday, April 14th | Blake Snell (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Tyler Alexander (0-0, 8.68 ERA) | 10:40 AM PST

Pitcher vs. Hitter notes

In his lone start against his former team on June 17, 2023, Blake Snell pitched six shutout innings, striking out 12 batters and walking three.

Rays infielder Ahmed Rosario has struggled to hit Snell during his career (0-11, 6 K), as has All-Star first baseman Yandy Diaz (1-8, 4 K).

Who’s Hot?

Over his past six games, LaMonte Wade Jr. is hitting .429 over 16 plate appearances. During that stretch, Wade’s batting average has climbed to .286 to .364 on the season.

Shortstop Nick Ahmed is know for his Gold Glove ability in the field, but the veteran is batting .333 since April 5th (six games). Ahmed is hitting .282 over 41 plate appearances this season.

Who’s Not?

Jorge Soler’s struggles continue as the slugger has picked up two hits over his past six games (.091 average) and is now hitting .191 on the season.

Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski is currently ranked last on San Francisco’s list of hitters when it comes to batting average (.130), slugging percentage (.130), and on-base-plus-slugging-percentage (.361). The 33-year-old has yet to drive in a run over 27 plate appearances.