Giants vs. Diamondbacks, 6/30

Madison Bumgarner is coming off a stellar 11-strikeout game, but it’s one that would’ve been almost a typical Robbie Ray start. He’s fourth in MLB with an 11.8 K/9 and 124 total strikeouts in 94.2 IP (good for 10th in MLB).

He’s doing work with a somewhat similar arsenal to Bumgarner’s and an average fastball velocity around 92.5 mph. So, why such an extreme difference between the two pitchers? That’s the question. Ray’s hard hit rate is down around 34.8%, but last year it was in the bottom 5% of the league at 41.6%. Bumgarner’s finally got his down to 42% after that last start, still well above league average and just plain bad, but missing location, bad sequencing, and poor scouting could all be fixed quickly.

By another team, most likely.

RF — Adam Jones
LF — Tim Locastro
CF — Ketel Marte
3B — Eduardo Escobar
1B — Christian Walker
SS — Nick Ahmed
C — Carson Kelly
2B — Ildemaro Vargas
SP — Robbie Ray

This could very well be Madison Bumgarner’s last start as a Giant. Remember where you were when he plunked Tim Locastro.

SS — Donovan Solano
1B — Brandon Belt
LF — Tyler Austin
C — Buster Posey
3B — Evan Longoria
CF — Kevin Pillar
RF — Mike Yastrzemski
2B — Joe Panik
SP — Madison Bumgarner

One of these days, the Giants will not have to worry so much about platoon splits. For now, let’s marvel in the very small sample size (23 PA) of Yastrzemski vs. lefties: .304/.333/.609 (.942 OPS). He’s a little over .250 points higher in OPS than against righties.