Madison Bumgarner, LHP, Giants
What’s up: The Rockies head to San Francisco on Monday to face the struggling Giants, who entered Friday with a 27-48 record, second worst in the major leagues. The Rockies won’t be facing Bumgarner, the ace whose season imploded when he suffered an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder when he crashed on a dirt bike April 20 in a mountain outside of Denver. The Giants do not expect Bumgarner to return before the all-star break, but at least he’s throwing again and has begun a minor-league rehab assignment.
Background: Bumgarner symbolized the grit and competitiveness of the Giants team that won the 2014 World Series. That fall, Bumgarner delivered one of the best postseasons ever by a pitcher. He pitched 21 innings in the World Series against Kansas City. On two days’ rest in Game 7, he pitched five scoreless innings of relief in a 3-2 win. He pitched a record 52M postseason innings that year. This season, Bumgarner began 0-3 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts, but he was throwing well. He had received only five runs of support in those starts, two on his own home runs.
Saunders’ take: “Madbum” is one of those players I love to watch compete. He attacks hitters, and he’s a good hitter in his own right. His injury has come to symbolize the Giants’ fall from grace this season. Bumgarner is just 27, and all indications are that he will completely recover from his injury. He will be the base for a Giants team that needs a makeover. Yes, the Giants have had a run of bad luck, beginning with Bumgarner’s dirt-bike misadventure, closer Mark Melancon’s sore arm and young outfielders Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson going on the DL. But the Giants’ offense is terrible. Their team .677 OPS (on-base percentage, plus slugging) is the lowest in the National League. When Bumgarner does return, he will be pitching for a team hoping to dodge 100 losses.