Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
PHILADELPHIA — The Giants are giving Shaun Anderson, at the very least, a break.
The Giants have not announced who will start Thursday’s series finale at Citizens Bank Park. Tyler Beede is starting Tuesday, Jeff Samardzija on Wednesday and Anderson’s turn would have followed.
“We’ll push him back,” manager Bruce Bochy said before Tuesday’s game. “I’ll have something for you after the game. Just give him another day.”
Anderson has hit a bit of a rookie wall in July. In five starts, the 24-year-old has given up 20 runs in 23 1/3 innings (7.71), as opponents have batted .330 against him. If they hoped to spare him from a powerful Phillies lineup, the next series — at Coors Field — is not the answer.
It is possible the Giants acquire a starter. It’s also possible they call up Conner Menez, who pitched Friday with Triple-A Sacramento, or Dereck Rodriguez, who last started Thursday with Sacramento.
Brandon Belt was out of the lineup again Tuesday against lefty Drew Smyly. The first baseman/left fielder hadn’t played since Saturday and has been in a bad slump (6-for-40 in nine games).
“I’m just giving him another day,” Bochy said. “… This will be three days for him to catch his breath. But [Wednesday] he’ll be back out there.”
Alex Dickerson also was out of the lineup against the southpaw. Bochy said he was available for later innings.
“He’s going to need the occasional day here and there because of his back issue,” Bochy said. “It’s fine now.”
Andrew McCutchen was on the field before the game chatting with Giants such as Evan Longoria and Pablo Sandoval.
Andrew McCutchen and some Giants friends pic.twitter.com/3GT1bVEUy9
— Mark W. Sanchez (@MarkWSanchez) July 30, 2019
