S.F. TABS WEBB FOR GAME 1
Logan Webb will start for the San Francisco Giants in Game 1 of their NL Division Series on Friday night against the L.A. Dodgers.
Fellow right-hander and 14-game winner Kevin Gausman will go Saturday night in Game 2 for the NL West champions, having thrived lately with a little extra rest — something that factored into manager Gabe Kapler’s decision when he felt equally confident in both pitchers.
“To be able to throw the first game for the best team in the league is pretty cool,” Webb said after his bullpen session Wednesday. “I’m super excited for it. I feel an extra confidence when we’re here just ’cause it’s a great place to pitch, first of all, and also the crowd here is great.”
On Sunday against San Diego, Webb pitched the 107win Giants to their first NL West title since 2012 and also hit a two-run homer — the first home run of his career. He is 10-0 since losing May 5 at Colorado.
“I don’t doubt that there’s some really good adrenaline at play here. This has been an exciting month, two months, three months for Logan on many different levels, including what’s happened in the batter’s box,” Kapler said. “We’ve seen that that confidence can make your body bounce back well.”
With an extra day of rest, Gausman allowed one run over seven stellar innings in Saturday’s extra-inning loss to the Padres as San Francisco missed a chance to clinch the division. He struck out five and gave up six hits, and Kapler noted, “the extra days seemed to bring out the best velocity from Gaus, the best action on the split, a little bit more endurance in-game.”
The 24-year-old Webb insists he and Gausman had no preference who took the
ball for the playoff opener, proud to support each other either way.
“He’s honestly more excited than I am, for me,” Webb said. “It’s pretty cool. That’s the type of person he is. That’s the whole thing when they asked us, is no matter who throws 1 and 2, we’re both going to be available for 5. That’s huge for both of us. We’re both confident whatever game we throw in. Having a guy like that is pretty special for me.”
Kapler said San Francisco’s starter for Game 3 of the series Monday on the road might depend on whom the Giants wind up facing. It likely will be left-hander Alex Wood or righty Anthony DeSclafani, a 13-game winner.
“I do think St. Louis or Los Angeles could factor into where we decided to go for Game 3,” Kapler said.
Notable
First baseman Jose Abreu’s status for Game 1 of the American League Division Series is up in the air after battling flu-like symptoms in recent days, the Chicago White Sox announced.
The 2020 AL MVP was scheduled to travel to Houston on Wednesday night.
The Sox said multiple tests confirmed the illness is
not COVID-19-related. According to the team’s statement, Abreu is feeling better and his symptoms are improving.
“Sunday, he didn’t play (in the regular-season finale), he just didn’t feel well,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday. “Had a bit of the flu. Got to the workout (Tuesday) and he had a tough night with fever.
“And now we’re all brimming with happiness and excitement because the fever broke, he passed the test, which is mandatory. He’ll be flying here and then see what his strength level is for (today). But our worst fears were never realized. He’ll be back in uniform.”
Indians manager Terry Francona is confident he’ll return next season after missing most of the past two because of serious health issues. Francona was forced to step away from the club in late July to undergo hip replacement surgery as well as a procedure on a big toe that was partially removed last winter after it became infected.
The Twins reassigned hitting coach Edgar Varela to a minor league role and now have three openings to fill on manager Rocco Baldelli’s staff. Varela held the position for two seasons.