Smith could be All-Star
A closer can’t get much better than perfect, and that’s where the Giants’ Will Smith stands. After his one-two-three ninth inning against San Diego on Tuesday night, the left-hander has converted all 15 of his save opportunities, and only one reliever in team history had more consecutive converted saves to open a season.
Until further notice, Smith appears to be the Giants’ top All-Star candidate. The first results of All-Star voting were announced Tuesday. Catcher Buster Posey is the only member of the Giants listed among the top 10 at his respective position, and he’s eighth.
Smith, who’s not only a candidate for the July 9 All-Star Game but a candidate to be traded before the July 31 deadline, has a 2.10 ERA with 37 strikeouts and five walks in 252⁄3 innings. Rod Beck opened the 1994 season with 28 converted save chances, and Craig Lefferts had 15 in row to start 1989.
“You have to look at what he’s done,” manager Bruce Bochy said before Tuesday’s game. “Smitty has been right on every time out there. He’s done a terrific job. There’s no doubt he’s going to get consideration. Somebody’s going to have to go from this club, and I think he’s one guy as much as anybody you can look at.”
Smith addressed trade speculation with Henry Schulman on The Chronicle’s “Giants Splash” podcast.
“I’m living out my dream. I get to play baseball every day for a living,” Smith said. “Regardless of who I do it for, I’m still living my dream. At the end of the day, you want to win, you play for a World Series, you play for a ring.
“If it happens and you end up going to a contender, it’s sad to leave some of your friends behind, but you get a chance at a World Series ring. I guess there are two sides to it. You don’t expect it. I’ve been traded three times. I know it can happen. I know it’s a business.”
Bochy mentioned Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija as other possible All-Star candidates.
Posey has received 79,768 votes. The Cubs’ Willson Contreras leads catchers with 850,613 votes and the rest of the top 10 includes Brian McCann, J.T. Realmuto, Yadier Molina, Yasmani Grandal, Austin Barnes, Tony Wolters, Posey, Wilson Ramos and Francisco Cervelli.
Posey is shelved for the second time this season with a strained hamstring. He ran the bases and took batting practice before Tuesday’s game, and Bochy seemed optimistic the catcher could come off the injured list Wednesday.