9/23 Gamethread: Giants vs. Rockies

It’s another absolutely critical game for the San Francisco Giants, and they’re getting funky with their lineup. Applaud or boo, depending on how you see it. Or do the cowardly thing like me, and wait until the game against the Colorado Rockies is over, and then applaud or boo and pretend you were doing so the whole time.

Game #55

Who: San Francisco Giants (27-27) vs. Colorado Rockies (24-30)
Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
When: 6:45 p.m. PT
Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area (available through fuboTV)
National broadcast: None
Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM

Lineups

Personally, I hope the following lineup does well.

1. DH — Austin Slater (R) — .324/.442/.592 — 184 OPS+
2. LF — Alex Dickerson (L) — .295/.373/.591 — 162 OPS+
3. 2B — Donovan Solano (R) — .339/.380/.489 — 139 OPS+
4. 1B — Brandon Belt (L) — .298/.410/.573 — 169 OPS+
5. SS — Brandon Crawford (L) — .272/.343/.464 — 121 OPS+
6. 3B — Evan Longoria (R) — .260/.296/.422 — 96 OPS+
7. CF — Mauricio Dubón (R) — .285/.342/.365 — 97 OPS+
8. C — Joey Bart (R) — .244/.301/.326 — 74 OPS+
9. RF — Steven Duggar (L) — .107/.138/.179 — -13 OPS+
   LHP — Caleb Baragar — 4.58 ERA, 4.55 FIP, 15 K and 5 BB in 19.2 IP

And here’s what they’re up against.

1. DH — Raimel Tapia (L) — .294/.350/.363 — 81 OPS+
2. CF — Kevin Pillar (R) — .289/.335/.471 — 109 OPS+
3. SS — Trevor Story (R) — .295/.368/.538 — 125 OPS+
4. RF — Charlie Blackmon (L) — .302/.359/.452 — 104 OPS+
5. 1B — Josh Fuentes (R) — .333/.342/.480 — 105 OPS+
6. 3B — Ryan McMahon (L) — .207/.294/.380 — 69 OPS+
7. C — Elías Díaz (R) — .231/.298/.308 — 54 OPS+
8. LF — Sam Hilliard (L) — .239/.302/.489 — 96 OPS+
9. 2B — Garrett Hampson (R) — .238/.285/.401 — 71 OPS+
   RHP — Ryan Castellani — 5.59 ERA, 7.65 FIP, 24 K and 21 BB in 38.2 IP

Notes

Baragar! Caleb Baragar is starting. He’s likely just an opener, as he hasn’t pitched more than 2 innings in a game all year, and he only pitched that many once, in his first appearance. It will be the first MLB start of his career.

If you’re wondering, it was Logan Webb’s turn in the rotation, and he is available to pitch in relief. It’s unclear if the Giants took him out of the rotation due to his poor performance in his last start, or just to get an advantage by using an opener.

Outfield swap: You might have noticed that Steven Duggar is in the lineup, despite not being on the roster this morning. He was recalled to replaced Luis Basabe, who was placed on the 10-day Injured List with a hamstring strain.

Do damage, and do it early: The Giants have an opportunity to go to work against a struggling rookie in Castellani. The right-hander has allowed 32 hits and 21 walks in 38.2 innings, with 11 home runs and 5 hit batters. Opportunity is knocking, and the Giants desperately need to answer.

Enjoy the baseball, friends.