2015 San Francisco Giants report card continued (Part III): Starting pitchers edition

Aug 26, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jake Peavy (22) sits on the grass after being unable to control the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

#13 Mike Leake (C+)

As I mentioned previously, I was not all that impressed by Leake since San Francisco acquired in prior to the Trade Deadline as he pitched great at times, while others he struggled to pitch through the 5th inning. With that being said, I do believe he is a better pitcher than he showed as his career numbers prove otherwise.

Look for Leake to sign early, and according to Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area, there absolutely is mutual interest between he and San Francisco for a return.

Final Statistics (w/ San Francisco):

(2-5), 4.07 ERA, 55 1/3 innings pitched, 1 shutout, 29 strikeouts, 1.93 SO/W, 0.6 WAR

August 25, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (18) reacts during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

#18 Matt Cain (D)

I have titled Matt Cain with the biggest disappointment for the Giants this season. After missing much of 2014 and the first half of 2015, Giants fans and coaches were very optimistic that he would return to some sort of his former dominating self. Of course, his 5.79 ERA and inability to pitch more than 6 innings in any of his 11 starts this season put a halt to those hopes and expectations.

If “The Horse” cannot seem to put it together in Spring Training next season, he may find himself out of a starting spot and into a long-relief role in the bullpen.

Final Statistics:

(2-4), 5.79 ERA, 60 2/3 innings pitched, 41 strikeouts, 1.50 WHIP, 20 walks, 0.0 WAR

#22 Jake Peavy (B)

As we now have the biggest disappointment with Cain, we now also have the best comeback in Jake Peavy. Peavy has always been a very good pitcher, but he was forced to overcome back strains at the beginning of the season and did so in a big way. Peavy resembled his 2007 Cy Young self at times, as he posted an 8-4 record with a 3.15 ERA in his last 17 starts.

Peavy is a fiery guy that fits in great in the Giants clubhouse, and he will be an ideal fourth or fifth starter for San Francisco in 2016.

Final Statistics:

(8-6), 3.58 ERA, 110 2/3 ERA, 78 strikeouts, 3.12 SO/W, 1.12 WHIP, -0.1 WAR