© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Tonight’s game is not about the Giants versus the San Diego Padres. Even with four rookies in the starting lineup, it’s not even really about developing young talent. If you’ve looked at the Giants’ schedule, you already know it’s really about those unfriendly California neighbors, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who make a regular season-ending visit to the Bay starting on Friday.
The Giants’ playoff hopes have been long, long over. It’s seemed that way since they were swept by the Cincinnati Reds after taking two of three against the Dodgers in mid-August. So with four games to go, and the rival Dodgers still yet to punch their playoff ticket, the Giants are doing everything they can to ensure that team in blue feels the displeasure of foiled playoff hopes.
The Dodgers (88-70) enter tonight leading the Colorado Rockies (87-70) by a half game for first place in the National League West and the Saint Louis Cardinals (87-71) by a game for the second Wild Card spot. Bruce Bochy is well aware of the chance the Giants have to spoil the Dodgers’ season, in what has been an underwhelming one in San Francisco.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game, Bochy lined up the Giants’ 119th different position player lineup (excluding starting pitchers) that will see Abiatal Avelino getting his second major league start at shortstop, along with Aramis Garcia at catcher (7th time this year), Austin Slater at first (18th time this year) and Alen Hanson making his sixth start of the season at third base.
Casey Kelly gets his third start of the year, while the only veterans in the lineup will be Joe Panik at second base, Hunter Pence in right field and Gregor Blanco in center field. Bochy made it clear that players like Evan Longoria – who is sitting for the first time this month – and Brandon Crawford will be back for the weekend.
“(Longoria) is a little sore, he can use a day,” Bochy said. “Took a pretty good shot there just below the knee. He’ll be back then (Friday).”
Bochy said Crawford’s absence was a “scheduled day,” and said he wanted to give him an extra day of rest before the Giants’ day off tomorrow. Bochy said the regular starters will be start at the weekend, but said playing the role of spoiler – a term he holds disdain for, instead favoring “disruptor” – is not where he wants to be.
“Never like being in that position,” Bochy said. “But it’s good for the guys. It’s good experience for the young guys.”
While Bochy said he’ll talk to the team about expectations ahead of facing the Dodgers, he said players will understand the importance of the season finale.
“They’ll feel it,” Bochy said. “They’ll know it. No question that they can impact what happens. I expect these guys to come out and play their hearts out.”
