SAN FRANCISCO–As a grizzled veteran, three-time World Series champion Matt Cain has handled the prosperous ups and rugged downs of his career with impressive poise.
In the most recent seasons of his 13-year career, Cain has flashed signs of wear and tear, and with the immediate futures of Ty Blach and Tyler Beede appearing promising, questions regarding where Cain (who is set to be a free agent come 2018) will end up have resurfaced.
But after his relief appearance in Monday’s 5-3 loss to the Cubs, Cain may have found his new home.
Just days after managed Bruce Bochy revealed Cain would be removed from the starting rotation (again), this time in place of Chris Stratton, Cain spun three spotless innings of relief ball, weaving his way through a leadoff triple in the seventh and surviving unscathed of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth. After an infield single by Kris Bryant in the top of the ninth, followed by another single courtesy of Anthony Rizzo, Cain was able to conquer hot hitter Wilson Contreras and induce a fly out and then drew a a double play ball off of Ben Zobrist –another traffic jam diverted.
So he’s emerged. No, not as the horse of his yesteryear, but in a new slot where his chiseled experience and craftiness as a starter can transform him into the Giants’ new (and desperately needed) long reliever.
“I think with his experience he has an ability to keep his poise out there,” Bochy said. “You saw tonight, he had to pitch in traffic quite a bit. He’s resilient, we won’t use him tomorrow but I’m betting he could pitch tomorrow if needed. He’s got four pitches so I think he’d be a good swing guy or long guy like tonight, pitching two or three innings, or he could start a game. I think he has that ability.
“Really the most important part of all this is Matt being able to accept this role,” he added. “He says ‘No problem, I’m here to help.’”
That’s the beauty of a mentality as humble as Cain’s. While his prime may be passed, Cain still believes he has something to contribute, even if it means reinventing his craft.
Cain, the longest-tenured Giant by a long shot, would be a sure-fire fit to take over as a swing reliever. His numbers as a starter this season are measly — a 3-9 record with a 5.37 ERA all but suggests his time as a starter is over, at least in San Francisco. His experience, however, gives him an advantage most long relievers lack — he knows how to pitch out of uncomfortable situations.
He keeps his cool because he’s been there before. With Blach emerging as a steady hand in the rotation this season, and the Giants wanting to take more looks at Stratton, it’s obvious the club is already foreshadowing the future. Beede also looks promising, and should he heal from a recent groin injury, may receive an opportunity to earn a rotation role next spring. After over a decade, there just isn’t any room for Cain in the rotation anymore.
But there is still room for him on this team. And Cain, a career-long Giant, seems open to embracing a new chapter in a very decorated book.
