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SF Giants Press Clips

Sunday, April 2, 2017

San Francisco Chronicle

Giants turn spring tales on the A’s, sweep series

Susan Slusser

Usually, the A’s thump the Giants when there’s nothing at stake, dominating spring meetings

between the teams.

Oakland would trade that, naturally, for the type of regular-season success the Giants have

enjoyed the past seven years, so the reversal of fortunes during the Bay Bridge Series isn’t

something that will keep the A’s up at night. The Giants have survived many poor Bay Bridge

outings against Oakland and then gone on to do great things.

“I think for us this is about getting in the stadiums,” A’s second baseman Jed Lowrie said after

the Giants’ 6-3 win at the Coliseum on Saturday. “It’s just getting used to the atmosphere of a

big-league ballpark again. It’s getting comfortable in the box in this setting again.”

Entering the Bay Bridge Series, the A’s had won 19 of the previous 25 preseason games

between the teams. But the Giants, who open their season Sunday at Arizona, swept the three

games and outscored Oakland 11-4 in the process.

Even during the spring, that rankles a manager, especially when the opponent is a regional rival.

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“I didn’t particularly care for the last three games,” Bob Melvin said. “That’s not the way you

want to end spring. We scored one run in two nights over there, which is a concern. ... After just

the frustration of this, then you move on, you have an off day, and really the only games that

count are during the season.”

“We all know how much Bob wants to win these games. He doesn’t care if he’s playing the

Giants on the back field,” Lowrie said. “But I think he’ll take them during the regular season

versus now.”

Tyler Beede, the Giants’ top prospect, worked four innings and allowed five hits and two runs.

He struck out five and walked none.

“We played very well this series,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who praised Beede. “The

kids played today, and we wanted to start Beede to give him a taste of what it’s like here, and

he handled it very well.”

Beede, who’ll report to Triple-A Sacramento, said his spring “exceeded my expectations. I feel

really comfortable and confident.”

The A’s finished the spring by losing six games in a row, going 16-18 overall. The Giants were

20-16, including a win over Puerto Rico.

Andrew Triggs, Oakland’s No. 4 starter, gave up a grand slam to Nick Hundley in the third, and

he has allowed 12 runs in his past two outings. “He’s got to throw the ball a little more precisely

at times,” Melvin said.

“The results obviously need to be better than what they were,” said Triggs, who threw a “lazy”

cutter to Hundley. “But in terms of getting ready for Thursday, I was pretty pleased.”

Raul Alcantara, the A’s No. 5 starter, worked 22/3 innings and gave up a two-run homer to

Justin Ruggiano.

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San Francisco Chronicle

Giants make stunning move, keep one lefty reliever

John Shea

The Giants will open the season with just one left-handed reliever, an uncommon practice in

the Bruce Bochy era that has included long runs by Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez.

“If anything,” Bochy said with a smile, “it keeps you from going out there (to the mound) so

many times.”

Despite a dominating spring training by Steven Okert, the lefty was shipped to Triple-A

Sacramento because the Giants preferred to keep right-hander Neil Ramirez, who could have

opted out of his contract if the Giants didn’t keep him.

When the final roster was settled, the lone lefty reliever was Ty Blach, who relieved just four

times in pro ball: twice last year with the Giants and twice in Class A in 2013.

“Not an easy call on that last one,” Bochy said. “Okert had a very nice spring. He gave up one

run. He did all he could.”

Bochy said the decision was made easier because he’s confident his right-handed relievers can

succeed against left-handed batters. He announced the bullpen moves after Saturday’s

exhibition at the Coliseum, and Okert wasn’t in the clubhouse to respond.

Okert’s ERA was 0.93. Ramirez’s was 3.18 - most impressive were his 19 strikeouts in 11 1/3

innings.

Ramirez was one of baseball’s top relievers with the 2014 Cubs, sporting a 1.44 ERA in 50

games, but injuries limited him in 2015 and he struggled with control last year while appearing

for three big-league teams.

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“It’s something I really tried to focus on in the offseason, not trying to make my stuff any better

but pitching with what I’ve got and putting it in good spots,” said Ramirez, who throws mostly

fastballs and sliders but has a curve and changeup from his starting days in the minors.

Blach got a bullpen job once the Giants gave the final rotation spot to Matt Cain. With lefty Will

Smith on the disabled list after Tommy John surgery and Okert and Josh Osich targeted for

Triple-A, Blach could get summoned for extra duty.

“I have to be ready for pretty much anything,” he said. “Be ready for left-handed guys. Be ready

for long relief situations. Be ready to spot start. Be ready for late inning situations. It could be

all of the above.”

Bochy said he’ll meet with his relievers before Monday’s season opener in Arizona to define

roles.

Three players invited to spring training on minor-league contracts made the team: Ramirez,

infielder Aaron Hill and outfielder Chris Marrero.

Marrero, who hit eight homers in the spring, also will play first base, as he did Saturday. Jarrett

Parker will get most of the time in left field platooning with Marrero and Gorkys Hernandez.

“I’ll remember it the rest of my life,” said Marrero, looking ahead to his first Opening Day in the

big leagues. “Being in here with a group of guys who have made so much history, I’m honored

to be on this team.”

Briefly: Cain sounded thrilled that Blach, who competed with him for the fifth rotation spot,

made the roster. “He’s a huge asset for us. I’m looking forward to being able to see him throw

all year.” ... Bochy got a chance to talk with Santiago Casilla, now with the A’s. “I thanked him.

He thanked me. A lot of thanking going on,” Bochy said. “He looks great. I’ll be pulling for him.”

John Shea is The San Francisco Chronicle’s national baseball writer.

Giants’ projected Opening Day roster

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Rotation: Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, LH Matt Moore, Matt Cain

Relievers: RHs Mark Melancon (closer), Cory Gearrin, George Kontos, Derek Law, Neil Ramirez,

Hunter Strickland, LH Ty Blach.

Catchers: Buster Posey, Nick Hundley.

Infielders: Brandon Belt, Joe Panik, Brandon Crawford, Eduardo Nunez, Conor Gillaspie, Aaron

Hill.

Outfielders: Jarrett Parker, Denard Span, Hunter Pence, Gorkys Hernandez, Chris Marrero.

San Jose Mercury News

The established, expensive 2017 Giants sure aren’t a band of misfits any more

Tim Kawakami

OAKLAND — The ball went high and deep and outta there, and while everybody was still

admiring backup catcher Nick Hundley’s fourth-inning grand slam, Brandon Crawford had a wry,

random, very Giant-y thought for Buster Posey.

“I think Craw was kidding Buster,” manager Bruce Bochy said approvingly after the Giants’ 6-3

exhibition-season closing victory over the A’s at the Coliseum, “‘Who’s going opening day?'”

Well, of course Posey — face of the Giants’ franchise, Captain America, the foundation piece of

this whole thing — is starting Sunday’s season-opener in Arizona and just about every game

possible after that one.

But Hundley’s spring power — that was his third exhibition-season homer — and the Giants’

comfortable banter about this and almost everything else these days are true indications of this

franchise’s most mature, stable and deep roster in a long, long time.

It comes at a particularly urgent time: The Giants have more proven players than ever, even

more than their three World Series champion teams, but their mainstays sure aren’t getting any

younger or cheaper.

This is not a bunch of up-and-comers or a band of misfits. Opposite of all that, actually.

The 2017 Giants, if all goes well, will be a smooth, powerful squad led by big names and

supported by players paid extremely well to do so.

The Giants have five players making $18 million or more this season, they’ve got a payroll

moving towards $180 million, and yet they’re currently in their longest World Series drought

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since that first epic run in 2010.

And after paying $62 million over four years to land closer Mark Melancon and adding a few

new role players, and after trading away several good young players last July to land starter

Matt Moore, third baseman Eduardo Nunez and the since-injured Will Smith, they’re set at

almost every position.

There wasn’t much juggling to do this spring, and the Giants didn’t do much. They’ve got what

they’ve got, and now they have to go chase down the Cubs and Dodgers, and maybe a few

other teams.

Here they go.

“We feel we’re as stable as we’ve been the last three or four years,” Bochy said. “Granted

we’ve had some success, but I look at the depth — our bench right now, I’m going to be

comfortable giving guys days off and try to keep them rested.

“The one setback was Will Smith (out for the season after Tommy John surgery); he was a guy

that was going to help stabilize the bullpen. … That one was a tough one for us to take. But we

think we have the arms, the depth to make that a little bit easier.”

If there’s one major question about this team: Where is the power coming from?

Hunter Pence will turn 34 in April, has experienced several injured-plagued seasons, and hasn’t

hit more than 20 homers since he hit 27 in 2013 — when he was 30.

And Posey, who just turned 30, has seen his homer totals decrease in each of the last three

seasons, from 22 to 19 to last season’s 14.

Who led them in homers last season? That’d be Belt, who hit 17; as a team, the Giants hit 130,

third fewest in the majors and way below the major-league average of 187. Of course, the

Giants have won titles recently with very little power — it’s not the easiest way, and it puts an

extreme burden on the pitching staff.

But the Giants’ starting rotation is built to hold up — Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto at

the top, Moore and Jeff Samardzija in the middle, and Matt Cain in the No. 5 slot, for as long as

he can hold it.

Then the Giants will see if their bullpen can finish these games.

Really, this is most established and predictable team of the Bochy era, thanks to the superstars

involved, the money invested in that pitching staff, the rise of Crawford, Belt and Joe Panik

from the system, and the specific epic failure of the bullpen last season.

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If they could’ve nailed down the ninth inning just one or two more times in September and

October, the Giants might’ve won their fourth World Series in seven seasons.

That puts the entirety of 2017 under an atomic microscope, in a way.

Every game, every inning, every out is precious — starting Sunday in Arizona, Bumgarner vs.

Zack Greinke.

Every day, every month, every season is precious — especially when they know this might not

last too much longer, and they remember how sweet it was in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Every chance at a championship is precious, and no team understands that more than the

Giants, who are established, expensive and understandably eager for at least one more shot at

it.

San Jose Mercury News

Giants final roster upset: Just one bullpen lefty as non-roster Ramirez grabs last spot

Carl Steward

OAKLAND — The Giants saved their biggest roster surprise for the final day of the exhibition

season on Saturday. They’re going to start 2017 with just one left-handed pitcher in their

bullpen, and he’s a converted rookie starter.

A day after optioning left-hander Josh Osich to Triple-A, the Giants did likewise with another

lefty who actually had a terrific spring, Steven Okert, and instead kept non-roster right-hander

Neil Ramirez to fill out their relief corps.

That leaves Ty Blach as the only left-hander in the bullpen, and he’s not only a rookie, he’s

started the spring competing with veteran Matt Cain for the fifth starter spot. That’s a far cry

from the usual left-right balance manager Bruce Bochy prefers, but the Giants simply did not

want to lose Ramirez, who struck out 19 batters in 11 1/3 innings and walked just four in 11

appearances.

Ramirez, 27, has major league time with the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota

Twins but has electric stuff and it won over the Giants, and he could have opted out and gone

elsewhere if he did not make the roster. He had to be very impressive to beat out Okert, who

allowed just four hits and one one in 9 1/3 innings this spring.

That means the Giants will have Blach from the left side and Derek Law, Cory Gearrin, Hunter

Strickland, George Kontos, Ramirez and closer Mark Melancon from the right side in their

bullpen to start the regular season. ,

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“It’s not an easy call on that last one,” said Bochy. “They’re all deserving. Okert had a very nice

spring. He gave up one run. He did all he could. But this is where we’re at right now and how

we want to start this. We did not want to lose Ramirez, who had a good spring, too. So we’re

set to go in the bullpen.”

That could prove debatable. The Giants lost their primary left-hander, of course, when Will

Smith suffered an elbow injury this spring and had to undergo Tommy John surgery. He’s out

for the year. Blach, who lost the rotation battle with Cain, will now perform a variety of roles as

the only lefty. He’ll go short or long depending on the situation, but the Giants will depend a lot

more on their right-handed relievers to get key left-handed hitters out.

Bochy admitted it’s not the optimum situation, but maintained it’s not something he hasn’t

faced before. When the San Diego Padres won the division in 1996, he said he had no left-

handed relievers whatsoever. In actuality, that team had Ron Villone, who appeared in 21

games, and Al Osuna, who appeared in 10, from the left side. But it was primarily a right-

handed relief staff, and that’s what he has now.

“If anything, it keeps you from going out there so many times,” the manager said.

Bochy did say he hoped Osich could straighten out his spring struggles and re-join the club at

some point, and Okert could be an option as well. But for now, Ramirez was simply too good to

cast away..

“It wasn’t too long ago that this guy was one of the best relievers in the game,” the manager

said. “You go back to 2014, the year he had, and he’s worked hard to get back to where he’s at.

That’s why we didn’t want to take a chance of losing him.”

In 2014, Ramirez was 3-3 with three saves with the Cubs, posting a 1.44 ERA in 50 games and

allowed just 29 hits in 43 2/3 innings with 53 strikeouts. Right shoulder inflammation troubled

him throughout 2015, however, and he bounced around with three organizations last season.

The Giants signed him to a minor league deal in November.

“It came down to the last minute, and I just did what I could all spring,” Ramirez said. “When I

was called to pitch, I just tried to get guys out in any situation.”

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San Jose Mercury News

Giants: Nick Hundley grand slam powers Bay Bridge sweep of A’s

Carl Steward

OAKLAND — New backup catcher Nick Hundley crushed a grand slam and Justin Ruggiano hit a

two-run shot as the Giants completed a three-game sweep of the Bay Bridge Series Saturday

with a 6-3 victory over the A’s at the Coliseum.

On a day when the Giants gave several starters the day off before Sunday’s season opener at

Arizona, they nonetheless had no issues finishing up a 20-16 exhibition season with their fifth

consecutive victory.

Hundley hit his third spring homer off Oakland starter Andrew Triggs in the fourth inning after

Conor Gillaspie opened with a walk, Chris Marrero was hit by a pitch and Aaron Hill followed

with a single to left. Hundley clubbed a 1-0 pitch into the left field seats to erase an early 2-0

deficit.

Ruggiano, who lost out to Marrero for the final position player roster spot, hit his two-run

homer in the seventh.

Top prospect Tyler Beede started for the Giants and pitched four strong innings, allowing five

hits, two earned runs with no walks and five strikeouts. Beede will begin the season with Triple-

A Sacramento.

San Jose Mercuery News

Opening Day

Andrew Baggarly

PHOENIX – Outlined against the blue-gray of Chase Field’s retractable roof, the Four Horsemen

ride again. Their real names are Bumgarner, Cueto, Moore and Samardzija.

That is what Grantland Rice might have written, if he were still alive and stationed on the Giants

beat in 2017, and could find replacement ribbons for his trusty Underwood.

Overwrought prose aside, his keys would have struck close to the mark.

The Giants begin the 2017 season Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks by sending left-

hander Madison Bumgarner to the mound. Nobody in baseball threw more pitches last season.

They follow up Tuesday with right-hander Johnny Cueto. Nobody in the NL recorded more

complete games. The left-right march continues with Matt Moore and Jeff Samardzija, who

combined to throw 401 2/3 innings last season.

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The Giants have flaws. Some will threaten to cleave them this season. Others loom as issues to

address this coming winter, and beyond. They suddenly have the third oldest lineup in the

National League, for instance, while the archrival Los Angeles Dodgers, winners of four

consecutive NL West titles, keep getting younger and more talented. Cueto can opt out of his

contract this winter, too.

And if the Giants stumble in April, the gnawing doubts will come too easily: they don’t want to

believe they are the team that skidded to a 30-42 record after the All-Star break last season,

and narrowly made the playoffs in spite of themselves.

But they begin with the confidence that those four starting pitchers, and the stability they

provide, can see them through to another playoff series under a blue-gray October sky.

“I think you need that to win,” said Bumgarner, who will oppose Zack Greinke while making his

fourth career opening-day start. “I’m definitely more of an old school guy. I think that’s the way

I like to play the game. A lot of teams are buying into the new school stuff. I’m glad the Giants

haven’t bought into that and are running the team the way it should be run.”

There is plenty of evidence to support the opposite conclusion, that building a team from the

back end is the way to go. Across the board, statistics show that relievers are better at run

prevention. They allow for advantageous platoon matchups.

And it is undeniable that a hitter gains more of an advantage with each plate appearance

against a starting pitcher. Major league batters hit .254 against starting pitchers in their first

plate appearance, then .260 and .271. Contrast that last figure against the fact that batters hit

.245 in their first plate appearance against a reliever.

No wonder, then, that the hook comes quicker from the dugout these days. Where major

league rosters once had 11 pitchers, now 12 is the norm. Some will start the season with 13.

An analysis by FiveThirtyEight showed that relievers pitched an all-time high of 37 percent of

available innings last season. Relievers also accounted for a record high 24 percent of pitching

wins above replacement, meaning that they contributed more than ever to where a team

settled in the final standings.

The Giants do not ignore these trends, but their personnel suggests that they don’t fully

embrace them.

After blowing a franchise record 32 save opportunities last season, including the Game 4 loss to

the Chicago Cubs that knocked them from the NL Division Series, they gave themselves a ninth-

inning rhinoplasty by signing closer Mark Melancon to a four-year, $62 million contract.

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Many believed they should have done more to bolster a bullpen in transition. And now valuable

left-handed setup man Will Smith is out for the season while recovering from Tommy John

surgery to reconstruct an elbow ligament.

But Giants manager Bruce Bochy isn’t afraid to let his starting pitcher function as his own setup

man.

“No, we take pride in it,” Bochy said. “The fact that they stay healthy and we have the type of

pitchers who can handle that workload, it is more old school. I know (pitching coach) Dave

Righetti takes a lot of pride that these guys make every start, how consistent they are, and

that’s allowed us to get a lot of innings, and quality innings, to go with that. It’s the way it used

to be.”

The Giants last season had three of the top five innings eaters in the National League.

Bumgarner and Cueto were 1-2, while Samardzija was fifth. Moore, who arrived in an Aug. 1

trade from Tampa Bay, finished with 198 1/3 innings split between both leagues and his total

would have ranked eighth in the NL.

“Just missed it,” said Moore, with lip-biting regret. “I think back to that one start against the

Dodgers, when I didn’t have it. Just five more outs that day…”

The Giants are poised to become just the second team in the last 10 years to have four different

pitchers amass 200 innings. The 2012 Reds, which included Cueto along with Bronson Arroyo,

Homer Bailey and Mat Latos, were the only other team to accomplish it.

Just 14 teams in the last 10 seasons feature even three 200-inning starting pitchers, and those

teams correlate strongly with success. Twelve finished with winning records and nine made the

postseason. Seven finished in first place. The 14 teams averaged 88.8 victories.

Samardzija was a member of one of the only two losing teams on that list, when he struggled

for the 2015 White Sox. It gave him no less appreciation for a rotation that goes to the post.

“It’s a little different to have four guys like we have, because we’re not valued as highly as we

used to be,” Samardzija said. “But you’ve seen when teams have starters who make their starts

and throw a lot of innings. Sure, you can point to a time or two when it doesn’t work. But in the

long run, those are stronger teams.

“I think it’s the way the game is meant to be played. It’s always been played that way: your

starter is going to go out and determine the game. You look at 80 percent of the time, the game

is determined by how your starter does. And I think that’s cool. It speeds the game up. There’s

no mound visits because the starter knows what he’s doing against those guys. You’re not

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slowing down the game to get bullpen guys ready to pitch.

“You look at how teams can get trouble when they’ve got to start making moves based on

needing innings. Then you’re looking at who has (minor league) options and who doesn’t, and

maybe you designate a player you don’t want to, because you need an arm.

“The good thing about having what we have, if we have to use five or six relievers in a game,

odds are the next starting pitcher will save the bullpen. Even a loss isn’t the worst thing ever if

your guy pitches seven or eight innings. At least you’ve got a full boat going into the next day.

“That’s what we as starters want to do: put the coaches in situations where they can make

decisions when they have full bullpen to work with.”

The league-wide trend might be to pull the starting pitcher after two turns through the lineup,

but Bochy plans to give his Four Horsemen some slack on the reins.

“You know what? They’re pretty good at being honest,” Bochy said. “Now, that said, every

game is different and we watch for any sign that they’re starting to fatigue. You’ve got to do the

right thing. But if they’re going along, you have to let them be who they are.”

As Bumgarner ascends the mound to begin another summer’s labor, that is all the assurance he

needs.

“You just hear a lot of stories throughout the league, teams that do it different,” Bumgarner

said. “Boch and Rags are not afraid to read us and let us go a little deeper. It’s just nice. I enjoy

it.”

MLB.com

Giants keep Ramirez in bullpen over lefty Okert

Alex Espinoza

OAKLAND - Veteran right-handed reliever Neil Ramirez secured the final spot in the Giants

bullpen for Opening Day, beating out southpaw Steven Okert, who will be optioned to Triple-A

Sacramento. Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced the moves following Saturday's 6-3

exhibition win in Oakland, but there are still more 40-man roster moves to be finalized before

Sunday's regular-season opener at Arizona.

Ramirez, 27, was out of options and pitched his way onto the roster this spring after racking up

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19 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings and posting a 3.18 ERA. The 25-year-old Okert only gave up one

earned run in his 10 2/3 innings this spring, but Bochy said the organization wants the lefty to

get more consistent work in Sacramento.

"Okert had a very nice spring. He gave up one run," Bochy said. "But this is where we're at right

now, how we wanted to start it. We didn't want to lose Ramirez, he had a good spring, too.

We're set. We're set to go in the bullpen."

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Ramirez had asked to opt out of his contract if he

didn't break camp with the big league club. But he's back in the Majors after spending the final

2 1/2 months of 2016 at the Triple-A level. Ramirez posted a 6.00 ERA in 24 innings last year

with the Cubs, Brewers and Twins. Back in 2014, he was lights-out for the Cubs bullpen,

recording a 1.44 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 50 appearances.

"I work really hard," Ramirez said. "Especially after the year I had last year, getting sent down to

Triple-A like that, it was kind of one of those moments with myself, like, 'This is not where I

belong and I don't want to be here anymore.' Took a long, hard look in the mirror and got back

to work.

"I started throwing a lot earlier this offseason, had a lot more time on the mound before I got

to Spring Training because I knew I had to be ready to go and compete from Day 1."

Ramirez is one of six right-handers in Bochy's bullpen to begin the season. Joining him are

closer Mark Melancon, primary setup man Derek Law and situational righties George

Kontos, Hunter Strickland and Cory Gearrin. As it stands now, Ty Blach is the lone lefty in the

bullpen, but Bochy said Blach will be used in a variety of roles and could even make the

occasional spot start.

After having the services of reliable southpaws Javier Lopez and Jeremy Affeldt the past few

years, Bochy said he's not nervous with just one lefty option late in games. In fact, he recalled

the 1996 San Diego Padres team he led to the National League West title despite having no

southpaw relievers.

"It's the old adage -- you go with your best pitchers," Bochy said. "If they're right-handed,

they're right-handed. Sometimes you can overdo the matchup, trust me."

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Bochy said the coaching staff plans to have a meeting with the bullpen before Sunday's opener

to give the pitchers a clearer idea about the group's dynamic.

"I think we have the kind of guys that we can kind of mix it up a little bit," Bochy said. "But at

the same time, just want to give them an idea of what we're looking at, so they're a bit more

defined going into Opening Day."

MLB.com

Bumgarner, Greinke duel in desert to open ‘17

John Schlegel

Where the 2017 National League West race might be headed is a 162-game marathon away

from being discovered, but it definitely will begin in Arizona on Sunday afternoon when the D-

backs host the Giants in the season opener for the two division foes.

The Giants are coming off a playoff run with a disappointing finish despite it being an even year,

and the D-backs struggled in the standings in 2016 but seek an upturn in fortunes this year.

Both know the division race will go through Los Angeles, home of the four-time defending

division champion Dodgers, but both have high hopes for the coming season, hopes that rest

largely on improvements on the mound.

A pair of aces will be on the hill at Chase Field in the Opening Day meeting, and from the first

offering from Arizona's Zack Greinke and the opening salvos from San Francisco lefty Madison

Bumgarner, pitching will be a major focus in the series, and the season.

In Bumgarner, the Giants have a 27-year-old ace with spectacular credentials for his age -- three

World Series rings, a run of four seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA and a powerful bat to go along

with it. Chase Field is a place he has strong past results, going 6-2 with a 2.80 ERA in 15

appearances (14 starts) there -- not that he factors that into his mindset going into his fourth

consecutive Opening Day start.

"I don't know what my numbers are at a lot of places," Bumgarner said. "It keeps you from

dreading it when you go in there."

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The biggest change on the mound for the Giants is at the end of the game, with the signing of

Mark Melancon as their closer. After relief struggles spelled the end of the Giants' run in

October last year, they picked up the veteran right-hander with instant ninth-inning credibility.

However, their bullpen took a hit this spring when veteran Will Smith, who was a midseason

replacement last year, was knocked out by an elbow injury.

The D-backs, meanwhile, had the highest ERA in the Majors last season with a 5.09 mark, so

pitching is obviously an area of concern for new manager Torey Lovullo. The D-backs' pitching

performance of a year ago was frustrating in that it was coupled with the first season for a big-

time free-agent acquisition: Greinke.

His 4.37 ERA was his highest since his second season in the Majors, and a big jump from the

1.66 ERA Greinke recorded the season before with the Dodgers. The D-backs put him on a slow

track this spring to get him ready for the long grind, and Greinke says he's ready for what

everyone in Arizona certainly hopes is a bounceback season.

Greinke will be followed by Patrick Corbin, Taijuan Walker, Robbie Ray and Shelby Miller in a

rotation that will set the tone on the D-backs' attempt to shore up their prevention of runs.

"That entire group came to Spring Training ready for competition," Lovullo said. "They

performed, and those are things that I have appreciated, because it's not easy to compete with

some distractions, but they did a great job. We really like the idea of those five guys being our

starters."

Things to know about this game

• One bit of fallout from the D-backs' rotation decision at the end of Spring Training is that

Archie Bradley, once a top prospect as a starter, is headed to the bullpen. "For me, I'd rather be

in the big leagues in the bullpen than in Triple-A as a starter," Bradley said.

• The Giants are planning to go with a platoon in left field, with left-handed-hitting Jarrett

Parker getting the lion's share of the time, but he will be paired with a right-handed hitter. Chris

Marrero made a spring run at the spot, and the Giants also have Gorkys Hernandez and Justin

Ruggiano available. Mac Williamson, a right-handed hitter who might have been in line to be

the full-time left fielder, sustained a quad injury this spring.

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• This marks the fourth time in the last six years the D-backs and Giants have opened the

season against each other in Arizona -- also 2015, 2014 and 2012. San Francisco won the season

series last year at 13-6, including winning nine of 10 games at Chase Field.

MLB.com

Hundley launches grand slam in spring finale

Alex Espinoza

OAKLAND -- Catcher Nick Hundley belted a grand slam off A's starter Andrew Triggs, helping

the Giants claim a 6-3, Bay Bridge Series-sweeping victory at the Coliseum on Saturday

afternoon to cap the exhibition season.

Outfielder Justin Ruggiano also homered for San Francisco, a two-run shot against A's No. 5

starter Raul Alcantara in the seventh, and right-hander Tyler Beede did his part with four

innings. Beede, ranked by MLB Pipeline as San Francisco's No. 1 prospect, held the A's to two

runs and five hits -- including Matt Joyce's two-run double in the third -- in that span.

Following the game, Beede hugged his teammates in the clubhouse as he got set to bid adieu

and rejoin the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. The 23-year-old righty made well on his audition

for the Giants brass in a big league setting.

"It was just a fun experience," Beede said. "It was kind of the first bite of the ice cream. You

want more of it. So I'll just continue to look forward to getting back up here, knowing that I

need to stay focused and continue to work and improve upon what I need to improve upon."

Triggs was unable to complete four innings, going 3 2/3 with four runs and six hits allowed in his

final tuneup ahead of his scheduled season debut against the Angels on Thursday. The right-

hander walked a batter and hit two, striking out four.

"The goal coming in was to get the cutter back working because it had kind of taken a backseat

while I was working on changeups lately, and I threw some really good ones I was happy with,

save for the one to Hundley," Triggs said. "It was good. I accomplished what I was trying to do.

The results obviously need to be better than what they were, but in terms of pitch selection

and getting ready for Thursday, I was pretty pleased."

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Hundley finished with two hits for the Giants, who also saw Brandon Belt and Gorkys

Hernandez notch doubles in the win. On the other side, A's catcher Josh Phegley collected an

RBI double in the sixth against lefty Michael Roth.

Giants Up Next: Ace Madison Bumgarner is set to take the mound for his fourth straight

Opening Day start for the Giants, who will face Arizona on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. PT in Phoenix. In

his final spring tuneup Monday, Bumgarner allowed two earned runs on four hits while striking

out nine in seven innings against the Reds.

A's Up Next: The A's open the regular season against the division-rival Angels at home on

Monday, with right-hander Kendall Graveman readying to make his first career Opening Night

start. First pitch at the Coliseum is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PT, with plans in place for the A's to

dedicate Rickey Henderson Field during a pregame ceremony.

Yahoosports.com

Clayton Kershaw tops our ranking of every opening day roster

Mark Townsend

This is no April Fools’ Day joke. Baseball season has arrived.

On Sunday, Major League Baseball will open the 2017 campaign with a three-game slate that will set the stage for the season that lies ahead.

If you’re like the crew here at Big League Stew, you’re counting down the hours and even minutes until Chris Archer throws the season’s first pitch against the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. But before we get there, allow us to set the stage with our annual ranking of all 30 scheduled opening day starters.

This year’s group feels like the strangest mix of opening day starters in quite some time. Of course, there’s the usual core of decorated pitchers. That includes Clayton Kershaw, who makes his third straight appearance in the top spot on our rankings. However, it seems the usual batch of up-and-comers have been flooded out by veterans either looking to bounce back or simply hang on in the big leagues.

Jhoulys Chacin, for example, is not a name you’d expect in this group in 2017, but there he is at No. 30. That sets up the biggest opening day pitching mismatch perhaps ever, and certainly the first-ever 1 vs. 30 in the history of the Stew’s opening day rankings.

As for how we determine these rankings, we try to effectively weigh past performance with where each pitcher is now in their careers, and with where we see them going in 2017. In instances where pitchers rate fairly close, recent performance serves as the tiebreaker.

It’s not an exact science, and as with any ranking, it’s all highly subjective. If you disagree, we’d love to hear why in the comments.

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1. Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers (vs. Padres, Mon. April 3, 4:10 ET) The easiest decision Dave Roberts will make all season is naming Kershaw his opening day starter. This makes seven in a row for Kershaw, and he only just turned 29. He’s also the easiest guy to rank. Even coming off an injury-plagued season, the three-time Cy Young Award-winner is still the best of the best.

2. Madison Bumgarner – Giants (@ Diamondbacks, Sun. April 2, 4:10 ET) Bumgarner has pitched more than 200 innings in each of the past six seasons, including a career-high 226 2/3 innings last season. His workload is definitely a long-term concern, which is why manager Bruce Bochy went easy on him in spring training. But confidence, toughness and a workhorse mentality are what separate Bumgarner from the next tier of pitchers.

3. Justin Verlander – Tigers (@ White Sox, Mon. April 3, 4:10 ET) A Tigers cornerstone for over a decade, Verlander will make his ninth career opening day start. The 34-year-old right-hander was back in peak form last season, posting a 16-9 record with a 3.04 ERA. He finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting, which angered Kate Upton, but perhaps it will help fuel another big season in his already Hall of Fame-worthy career.

4. Noah Syndergaard – Mets (vs. Braves, Mon. April 3, 1:10 ET) Thor is the main man now in New York. After injuries plagued Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz throughout the 2016 season, Syndergaard put the Mets on his back and carried them to the wild-card game. Now he’s being rewarded with his first opening day start. In just his second MLB season, Syndergaard went 14-8 while posting a 2.60 ERA and 218 strikeouts over 183.2 innings pitched.

5. Jon Lester – Cubs (@ Cardinals, Sun. April 2, 8:35 ET) Joe Maddon could have flipped a coin and not lost on this decision. Instead, he went with his heart and gave the nod to Lester over Jake Arrieta. It will be Lester’s second opener in three years with the Cubs. Arrieta was the opening day starter last season after winning the Cy Young Award in 2015. But Lester was clearly the better pitcher last season, finishing second in Cy Young voting after going 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA. 6. Corey Kluber -Indians (@ Rangers, Mon. April 3, 7:05 ET) Kluber was eased into action this spring coming off a heavy workload in 2016, but he’ll be ready to go on opening day. The 2014 American League Cy Young Award-winner has remained a reliable starter for Terry Francona despite a fluctuating win total and ERA over the past three seasons. During that time he’s made at least 32 starts and pitched at least 215 innings each season. He added 34 1/3 innings in the postseason.

7. Felix Hernandez – Mariners (@ Astros, Mon. April 3, 8:10 ET) You could argue that King Felix is the king of opening day. Hernandez will start his ninth consecutive opener for Seattle and his tenth overall, which are both tops among active pitchers. The Mariners have won all but one of those 10 starts, with the lone defeat coming last season against the Rangers. Hernandez was slowed by a calf injury last season, making just 25 starts and posting a 3.82 ERA. But we wouldn’t bet against him bouncing back in a big way.

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8. Rick Porcello – Red Sox (vs. Pirates, Mon April 3, 2:05 ET) The reward for winning the American League Cy Young Award is taking the ball on opening day at Fenway Park. Manager John Farrell made the decision to start Porcello before David Price was injured, and in spite of Chris Sale’s addition, which cements the respect he’s earned. It’s difficult to argue after Porcello won 22 games last season and posted a career-best 3.15 ERA.

9. Masahiro Tanaka – Yankees (@ Rays, Sun. April 2, 1:10 ET) After being named opening day starter on the first day of camp, Tanaka responded with a brilliant spring. In 23 2/3 innings, Tanaka allowed one earned run. His dominance included a five-inning effort in a combined no-hitter against Detroit. Durability might be a slight concern given past issues with his elbow, but he looked healthy and impressive in 2016, and he looks even better right now.

10. Yu Darvish – Rangers (vs. Indians, Mon. April 3, 7:05 ET) Darvish will become the Rangers ninth different opening day starter since 2009. No other MLB club has used more than eight in that time. Darvish earned the nod mostly based on his strong finish in 2016. The team went 8-2 in his last 10 starts of the season. He posted a 3.48 ERA during that time, while striking out 78 batters. It will be the sixth opening day start in Darvish’s career, but his first in MLB.

11. Stephen Strasburg – Nationals (vs. Marlins, Mon. April 3, 1:05 ET) With Max Scherzer coming along slow this spring due to a finger injury, the spotlight will go back on Strasburg on opening day. Strasburg handled the assignment from 2012-14, before giving way to Scherzer. Now he’s back coming off an All-Star season that saw him begin 13-0 with a 2.51 ERA, before collapsing down the stretch due to injuries. Here’s hoping April 3 will be the first of at least 30 starts this season.

12. Chris Archer – Rays (vs. Yankees, Sun April 2, 1:10 ET) Archer was on the wrong side of some bad luck last season, as his 9-19 record confirms. He’d also acknowledge he wasn’t at his best, which is why he’ll have a lot to prove this season. This may also be his last opening day with the Rays if the team receives a suitable trade offer. Needless to say, this could prove to be a pivotal season in his career.

13. Jose Quintana – White Sox (vs. Tigers, Mon. April 3, 4:10 ET) It’s a mild surprise Quintana made it to opening day in a White Sox uniform. Now the question becomes how many starts will he make before general manager Rick Hahn fields an offer he can’t refuse. The 27-year-old left-hander has been remarkably consistent in his first four full seasons, making at least 32 starts and throwing at least 200 innings in each. If he lands in the right spot, he should be a household name by season’s end.

14. Zack Greinke – Diamondbacks (vs. Giants, Sun. April 2, 4:10 ET) After signing a six-year, $206.5M contract, Greinke went through a rough first season in Arizona in 2016. Greinke finished with 13 wins and 4.37 ERA, which paints a slightly brighter picture of his season than the general perception. But the low points were some of the lowest in Greinke’s MLB career. If he’s going to bounce back in 2017, there’s no better time to start than opening day.

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15. Dallas Keuchel – Astros (vs. Mariners, Mon. April 3, 8:10 ET) In this spot two years ago we predicted Keuchel would become a star sooner than later. Now he’s a former Cy Young Award-winner headed for his third opening day assignment. Granted, Keuchel was not very good in 2016, producing a dismal 4.55 ERA and 9-12 record over 168 innings and 26 starts. But that only makes him one of the very best bounce-back candidates this season.

16. Gerrit Cole – Pirates (@ Red Sox, Mon April 3, 2:05 ET) Cole was a Cy Young contender in 2015, but was slowed by injuries last season. He ended up making only 21 starts, and clearly wasn’t himself posting a 3.88 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. Healthy now, he’s the clear choice for manager Clint Hurdle, but it will be interesting to see if he can make it back to the Cy Young level.

17. Carlos Martinez – Cardinals (vs. Cubs, Sun. April 2, 8:35 ET) The torch has been passed in St. Louis. Martinez gets the nod over Adam Wainwright, who had started the previous four opening days for the Cardinals. Martinez posted a 3.04 ERA over 195 1/3 innings last season, and has certainly looked like the team’s ace of the future over the past two seasons. Another step forward in 2017 could put him in Cy Young contention.

18. Julio Teheran – Braves (@ Mets, Mon. April 3, 1:10 ET) One of the more underrated starters around, Teheran will start his fourth straight opening day for Atlanta. He’s made at least 30 starts each of the last four seasons, posting 46 wins to go along with a 3.33 ERA. He’s deserving of this nod, and perhaps opening SunTrust Park, which will come on April 14.

19. Danny Duffy – Royals (@ Twins, Mon. April 3, 4:10 ET) After a successful stint with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic, Duffy gets another cool honor — his first opening day start. Duffy will be Kansas City’s seventh different opening day starter in eight years. Among those was Yordano Venutra, who was killed in a car accident during the offseason. Duffy has done his best to honor Ventura in the time since, and that will no doubt continue on opening day.

20. Marco Estrada – Blue Jays (@ Orioles, Mon. April 3, 3:05 ET) Coming off his MVP performance in the World Baseball Classic, Marcus Stroman seemed like the obvious choice to start his second consecutive opening day. Instead, the nod goes to veteran Marco Estrada, who has been Toronto’s most consistent starter the past two seasons. Over 57 starts, Estrada has notched 22 wins while posting a 3.30 ERA.

21. Ervin Santana – Twins (vs. Royals, Mon. April 3, 4:10 ET) Santana gets his second straight opening day nod for Minnesota, though it will technically be his first since last season’s was called off after two innings due to rain. The 34-year-old right-hander put together a solid 2016 season, producing a 3.38 ERA over 30 starts. In fact, he was the only Twins starter to finish with an ERA under 5.00.

22. Edinson Volquez – Marlins (@ Nationals, Mon. April 3, 1:05 ET) Volquez has a tough assignment replacing Jose Fernandez as the Marlins opening day starter. He also experienced his own loss during the offseason when his brother was murdered in the Dominican Republic. It will be an emotional, perhaps bittersweet day, but

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it’s an honor Volquez earned by edging out Adam Conley this spring. This will mark Volquez’s fifth opening day start with four different teams (Reds, Padres and Royals).

23. Jeremy Hellickson – Phillies (@ Reds, Mon. April 3, 4:10 ET) Despite persistent trade rumors, Hellickson is back to make his second straight opening day start with the Phillies. The 2011 AL Rookie of the Year Award-winner is coming off his most productive season since 2012 with Tampa Bay. He tied a career high with 189 innings, while posting a solid 3.71 ERA.

24.Kevin Gausman – Orioles (vs. Blue Jays, Mon. April 3, 3:05 ET) With ace Chris Tillman still coming back from arm trouble, it’s Gausman getting his first opening day nod. The 26-year-old right-hander was superb this spring, posting a 1.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP over three starts. He was solid last season as well, producing a 3.61 ERA over 30 starts Though it’ll have to come against a very strong AL East, he seems poised for a true breakout season.

25. Kendall Graveman – A’s (vs. Angels, Mon. April 3, 10:05 ET) With usual opening day starter Sonny Gray starting the season on the disabled list, Graveman will get his first opportunity to start the opener. Graveman, 26, was acquired from Toronto in the Josh Donaldson trade. He was also Bob Melvin’s most reliable starter last season when Gray was also sidelined. He finished 10-11 with a 4.11 ERA, and could be closing in on a true breakout season.

26. Junior Guerra – Brewers (vs. Rockies, Mon. April 3, 2:10 ET) Guerra is not the most recognizable name here, but he has one of the best stories. The 32-year-old right-hander spent six years out of affiliated baseball following a minor league drug suspension in 2009. He re-emerged in 2015, and forced his way into the Brewers rotation last season. At times he even pitched like an All-Star, posting a 9-3 record and 2.81 ERA over 20 starts. The opening day assignment might mean more to him than any of the other 29 starters.

27. Jon Gray – Rockies (@ Brewers, Mon. April 3, 2:10 ET) For the first time since trading Ubaldo Jimenez in 2011, the Rockies appear to have a potential ace in Gray. It might be premature to apply that label right now, but the 25-year-old right-hander looks the part from an ability standpoint. Now it’s about putting it together consistently, and perhaps most importantly finding comfort and confidence pitching at Coors Field.

28. Scott Feldman – Reds (vs. Phillies, Mon. April 3, 4:10 ET) Feldman feels like the third best option in an already weak rotation. An injury to Anthony DeSclafani removed him from the mix, and we’re not entirely sure why Brandon Finnegan was passed over. Either way, this is a reminder that the Reds are in the midst of a full-blown rebuild that’s yet to turn the corner.

29. Ricky Nolasco – Angels (@ A’s, Mon. April 3, 10:05 ET) Another somewhat surprising decision given that Garrett Richards and Matt Shoemaker are healthy. Nolasco did fairly well with the Angels last season, producing a 3.11 ERA over 11 starts. Twins fans are probably wondering where that was the prior two-plus seasons. In 57

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appearances for Minnesota dating back to 2014, Nolasco posted a 5.43 ERA and arguably looked like one of the least effective starters in MLB.

30. Jhoulys Chacin – Padres (@ Dodgers, Mon. April 3, 4:10 ET) It’s going to be a rough go for San Diego this season, and a big part of that will be its thin rotation. Chacin was determined to be the best of the bunch despite posting a 5.80 ERA with Atlanta, getting released and then being demoted to the bullpen by the pitching-hungry Angels last season. Chacin will be followed by Clayton Richard and Jered Weaver during the opening series.