© Jayne Kamin-Oncea | 2020 Feb 18
For the first time in a while, the Giants have a decision to make on opening day.
With Madison Bumgarner taking his talents to the desert, San Francisco’s opening day starter situation is as murky as it’s been in years.
The heavy favorites are Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, the two most, and only, established veteran starters on the team. Cueto is coming off Tommy John surgery in 2017, and appeared in just four games last season posting a 5.06 ERA. Samardzija, meanwhile, is coming off his best season since he last made the All-Star team in 2014.
Still it’s Cueto that is more likely to get the nod according to Giants beat writer Kerry Crowley, who explained why with Papa & Lund on Monday afternoon.
“I have a pretty good feeling it will be Johnny Cueto,” Crowley said. “So much of this season is going to be dictated by matchups, and the Giants don’t really love Jeff Samardzija against the Dodgers. Because the opening day setup is Dodgers stadium against that lineup that can go so left-handed heavy at times, I think they’re gonna go with Cueto.”
Interestingly Samardzija was decent against the Dodgers last season, posting a 3.31 ERA and below average WHIP (1.04) in three starts vs. LA. Still, even though he’s the No. 2 stater, Crowley believes we may not see Samardzija until after the Dodgers series.
“It may be that we don’t see Shark until the Arizona series. I think if they want to see (Kevin) Gausman or (Drew) Smyly, and work the left hander in the mix, they may do that. Samardzija may end up being the No. 2 starter on the staff in May, but maybe he doesn’t even pitch until that Chase Field series.”
