Rodón, Giants Look To Gain Ground In Wild Card Race During Two-Game Set With Tigers
Aug 23, 2022, 9:33 AM
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
As we enter the final stretch of Major League Baseball’s regular season, every game is a big one for the San Francisco Giants.
With 41 games remaining on the schedule, the Giants (60-61) currently sit 6.5 games back of the third and final spot in the National League Wild Card race. The Philadelphia Phillies (67-55) and San Diego Padres (68-56) are the two Wild Card teams ahead of San Francisco and the Milwaukee Brewers (65-56) as teams begin to play with a stronger sense of urgency.
To put it bluntly, the Giants need to go on a run.
That run could start on Tuesday night when All-Star left-hander Carlos Rodón will take the mound against the last-place Detroit Tigers (47-76) in a two-game set that will take place at Comerica Park.
With 41 games remaining in the regular season, the San Francisco Giants trail a postseason spot by six games.
Can the Giants make a run for the Wild Card?
Here are some upcoming series to keep an eye on as we move closer to September baseball: https://t.co/MXnpUMSvF1
— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) August 22, 2022
Rodón struggled for most of July, posting a 4.80 ERA over five starts between July 4th and July 30th. Since allowing five runs to the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 26th, the 29-year-old has returned to his early season form. Over Rodón’s last four starts, the lefty holds a 3-0 record to go along with a 1.48 ERA and 31 strikeouts (against two walks) during 24.1 innings pitched.
In two of those four starts, Rodón topped the 10 strikeout mark on two occasions–10 punch-outs on July 31st against the Chicago Cubs and 11 during his most-recent start on August 17th against the D-Backs.
With Rodón on the bump Tuesday and Logan Webb (11-6, 3.08 ERA) taking the ball on Wednesday, the Giants have their two best arms going as San Francisco hopes to secure a two-game sweep that could aid its positioning in the Wild Card race.
San Diego is set to open up a two-game set against the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians (64-56) on Tuesday, while Philadelphia will continue a four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds (48-72).
If San Francisco wants to pick up some games in the race for October, it starts tonight in the Motor City.
Giants vs Tigers Probable Starting Pitchers
Tuesday, August 23rd: Carlos Rodón (11-6, 2.89 ERA) vs Drew Hutchinson (1-6, 4.23 ERA)
Wednesday, August 24th: Logan Webb (11-6, 3.08 ERA) vs Matt Manning (0-1, 2.81 ERA)
