SAN FRANCISCO — Johnny Cueto enters Sunday’s start in an unusual position. He hasn’t started after a Giants loss since April.
That’s a product of Madison Bumgarner’s dominance this season, but it’s interesting to think of Cueto in the “stopper” position, even in the smallest sense of the role. Only once this season have the Giants lost back-to-back Bumgarner-Cueto starts, in an April series against the Diamondbacks. The Giants are 41-18 since.
Cueto (11-1, 2.06 ERA) is looking for his ninth-straight win, the longest streak for a Giants pitcher since Jason Schmidt won 12 in a row in 2004. He’ll be opposed by Aaron Nola (5-7, 4.11 ERA), who’s never faced the Giants (48-28) in his short career.
–Matt Cain threw a short bullpen before the game, and will throw another on Tuesday. If all goes well, he’ll begin his minor league assignment with a start next Friday. After only throwing a simulated game in his last rehab, Bruce Bochy said Cain’s definitely starting a minor league game to test his strained hamstring.
–Sergio Romo, who’s now missed 68 games with a right flexor strain, will appear for Single-A San Jose today. His status will be reevaluated afterward.
–Regular day off for Joe Panik, who’s started 15 straight games.
Giants lineup vs. Aaron Nola
CF – Denard Span
LF – Angel Pagan
1B – Brandon Belt
C – Buster Posey
SS – Brandon Crawford
RF – Jarrett Parker
2B – Ramiro Peña
3B – Conor Gillaspie
RHP – Johnny Cueto
Yesterday’s morsel: Madison Bumgarner threw 107 pitches over his 6.1 innings on Saturday. He’s now thrown 100-plus pitches in his last 12 start, the longest active streak in the majors.
