Kapler feverishly pulls lineup levers

Gabe Kapler spent the season’s first week feverishly mixing and matching with his lineup, which was by design but accelerated with Evan Longoria and Brandon Belt opening on the injured list.

Both corner infielders are expected to be activated Thursday, the Giants’ manager said, which will give the lineup some needed consistency.

Longoria (right oblique strain) is viewed as an everyday third baseman, Belt (right Achilles tendinitis) as nearly a fulltime first baseman who’d sit when the opposition is starting certain lefthanders.

“It just gives us more pinchhitting options,” Kapler said. “Look, it solidifies our defense as well.”

Pablo Sandoval started four of the first six games at first base with Darin Ruf starting the others. Wilmer Flores and Donovan Solano split the starts at third base.

Now Sandoval can be used more in a pinchhitting role — he led the majors with 18 pinch hits last season — and Flores can play more first base (especially against lefties), his best position. Solano’s best spot is second, where he hasn’t started at all.

The Giants committed a majorshigh nine errors through Tuesday, none in the outfield.

“Wilmer and Solano, while they’ve done a nice job for us on the dirt, they’re not playing their most natural positions right now,” Kapler said. “Adding Longoria puts him in his natural position where’s he’s been fluid and strong for quite some time.

“Brandon Belt is one of the better first basemen out there, really good around the bag, really good at attacking the ball. It solidifies our defense and adds to our lineup, particularly against righthanded pitching.”

Reliable relief: The Giants’ group of mostly young relievers entered Wednesday having permitted just one earned run in 152⁄3 innings over the team’s past three games.

“They’re really sticking to their strengths, being aggressive in the zone and challenging hitters,” pitching coach Andrew Bailey said. “Young guys need an opportunity to make a name for themselves and establish themselves. They’re doing just that.”

Bailey suggested pitching with no fans can create a “little bit of a competitive advantage” for inexperienced pitchers because “they don’t really know otherwise, right?”

He added, “Greatness doesn’t need an audience. Go out there and compete to the best of your abilities.”

Take note: The eightgame suspension given to Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly undoubtedly serves as a warning for players around the majors — keep your distance during the coronavirus pandemic even when emotions are at their highest.

Kelly was suspended after throwing a pitch behind Houston’s Alex Bregman and taunting Carlos Correa, igniting Tuesday’s benchesclearing incident.

“Anytime things happen around the league,” Kapler said, “it just gives us an opportunity to be more aware, more sensitive.”