San Francisco Giants
Bruce Bochy and stellar bullpens have gone together like leather and gloves since Bochy became a major league manager in 1995. Of late, not so much. Bochy will need to call upon his famously steady hand this year, and if the season opener was an indication — which it might not be, of course — the sooner, the better.
Against the Diamondbacks, the Giants conjured the haunting ghosts of 2016, when the bullpen led the majors in blown saves.
Derek Law, the eighth-inning specialist, allowed Arizona a tying run, denying Madison Bumgarner’s bid for victory. Closer
Mark Melancon, the $62 million newcomer, allowed three hits with two outs to lose the game.
“I’m sure I’ll go over it 100 times, keep the good and get rid of the bad,” Melancon said.
Not only did Bumgarner become the first pitcher in major league history to hit two home runs on opening day; he also showed better velocity than he had all of last season. The last Giants player to homer twice in the opener? Barry Bonds in 2002.