By Morris Phillips
SAN FRANCISCO–When manager Bob Melvin regally hopped off of the clubhouse steps into the Giants dugout on Saturday morning at precisely 11:15am, it didn’t feel like he was completely honest.
“I’m not very good in the mornings,” he said to the media gathered for his pre-game presser.
For the next 15 minutes, Melvin was very good, first updating everyone on Blake Snell’s outing Friday in Sacramento, then dialing back expectations for his availability in the coming week. Melvin hinted that some shoulder discomfort could keep the 2-time Cy Young award winner away from the club for another week, but not much more. He smiled when saying Snell threw 75 pitches and was able to execute his entire repertoire.
Randy Rodriguez perked Melvin up as well, when he was asked about the intriguing 24-year old reliever who struck out Colorado’s Brendan Rogers in the ninth inning of Friday’s game. Melvin was impressed with the youngster’s ability to pepper Rogers with 98 and 99 mph fastballs, before freezing him on 3-2 slider clocked at 84 mph.
When asked if a couple of wins–Wednesday over the Dodgers, after five-consecutive losses to the perpetual NL West division champs, and an offensive breakout against the Rockies Friday–signaled a change for the 21-25 club that has scuffled to generate offense, Melvin spoke confidently.
“We’re going to be OK,” he said. “We haven’t won three in a row, so this would be an important win for us today.”
That win materialized a few hours later in a 14-4 eye-opener, then the Giants doubled down on Sunday with Jordan Hicks holding the Rockies at arm’s distance in a breezy 4-1 win. Now the Giants can hit the road to Pittsburgh and Queens, New York with momentum, really for the first time all season.
For a team finished opening week 2-5, and was 15-21 after being throttled on their previous trip to Boston and Philadelphia, this is new beginning. Through the numerous injuries, including the loss of their prized acquisition, Jung Hoo Lee, for the remainder of the season, the belief hasn’t disappeared, at least within the clubhouse.
“We’ve had a lot of guys who are off to a slow start,” Melvin said, stating the obvious.
Two guys who weren’t in the Opening Day lineup–Heliot Ramos and Luis Matos–aren’t off to slow starts. They both made huge strides on the homestand with Matos going 10 for 22 over five games, and Ramos going 6 for 20, with two doubles and a walk over the same stretch. Just that quickly, Ramos and Matos are two-thirds of the new-look outfield with perfect timing following the loss of Lee.
Matt Chapman and Thairo Estrada have picked up their offensive games as well–after slow starts–and the re-emergence of Michael Conforto, who’s on the injured list with a hamstring issue, could eventually mean that the Giants will be finally ready to fight with both hands and show their promise.
Meanwhile, the big picture still hasn’t gotten too big. Yes, the Phillies (34-14) are on a torrid pace with the National League’s best record, and the Dodgers (32-17) are running away with the NL West, but everything else is completely in reach for the Giants.
The Padres are currently a game ahead of the Giants, having reached .500 with an impressive pair of wins over the Braves this weekend, and those two clubs comprise the front of the pack for the sixth and final playoff spot. Trailing by a stride or two are Diamondbacks (22-25), Pirates (22-26) and Mets (21-25).
Slow start? Yes. But having an optimistic, hopeful manager and few, capable options can overcome that. At least that’s what the Giants are hoping.
Sports Radio Service 