Bochy's Strange Lineup and Notes
- Justice delos Santos
- Jun 23, 2016
- 2 min read
For the final game of the road trip, the San Francisco Giants will have Albert Suarez have his turn against the Pittsburgh Pirates as the rookie will try to lead the orange and black a series victory over the Buccos.
Suarez has done an adequate job in filling the spot of the injured Matt Cain, as in three starts he has a 4.50 ERA with seven strikeouts over 16 innings.
Those numbers aren't eye-popping, but Suarez slightly better than Cain both in his combined relief and starting efforts, boasting a 4.13 FIP and 4.37 xFIP compared to Cain's 4.55 FIP and 4.85 xFIP.
In Suarez's last start, he allowed three runs while striking out four over 4.2 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Matching up against Suarez will be Jonathon Niese, who is coming off a start in which the Chicago Cubs taxed him for four runs, including a trio of solo home runs, while drawing four walks on route to a 4-3 Pirates loss.
The left-hander, like the Giants' own Jeff Samardzija, hasn't been able to carry the momentum of a strong May into June, as in four starts in the first month of summer, Niese has allowed 14 runs over 22.2 innings, good for a 5.56 ERA, while walking ten.
While Albert Suarez will be facing the Pittsburgh Pirates for the first time, Jonathon Niese is no stranger to some Giant hitters.
Buster Posey has a .320 average in 25 career at-bats, and Brandon Crawford has a .417 average in 12 at-bats, while conversely, Angel Pagan and Gregor Blanco have a combined batting average of .067 in 30 combined at-bats.
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Bruce Bochy's lineup in the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates is interesting, to say the least, as Denard Span, Joe Panik, and Buster Posey will be the only regulars playing for San Francisco.
Young bucks Mac Williamson and Jarrett Parker will accompany the veteran Span at the corners while Peña and Gillaspie will compose the left side of the infield.
Trevor Brown will be behind the dish, allowing Buster Posey to shift to first base.
It's safe to say that this will be the first time the Giants throw out this lineup.
Denard Span CF Joe Panik 2B Mac Williamson RF Buster Posey 1B Trevor Brown C Ramiro Peña SS Jarrett Parker LF Conor Gillaspie 3B Albert Suarez P
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