Giants: Predicting the 26-man roster on Opening Day

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Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images) /

Starting rotation

RHP Jeff Samardzija

Coming off of a very solid year in 2019, Jeff Samardzija has earned the right to be the team’s ace in 2020. He has looked sharp in spring training and the Giants will lean on him to be the horse of the staff, so we shall see if the 35-year-old can chew through innings once again in 2020.

RHP Johnny Cueto

While Johnny Cueto was injured for nearly all of 2019, he showed promise at the end of the year and has continued to progress in spring training. He is still supremely talented, even if his days of being a top-tier starter are behind him. If he can stay healthy, he should have a respectable 2020 campaign.

RHP Kevin Gausman

While Kevin Gausman was awful as a starter in 2019, he looked solid as a reliever. That said, the Giants plan on using him as a starter in 2020. Thus far in spring, he has pitched extremely well, and the Giants are hoping that translates to regular season success.

LHP Drew Smyly

After struggling mightily with the Texas Rangers in 2019, Drew Smyly turned things around after joining the Philadelphia Phillies. Perhaps moving to the Giants along with new manager Gabe Kapler will make his transition easier and lead to a solid season. Like Gausman, he has looked sharp this spring, and he will likely be the lone lefty in the rotation to start the year.

RHP Trevor Cahill

The final rotation spot is still very much up for grabs after the troubling injury news surrounding Tyler Beede. Trevor Cahill turned in a strong start last time out, and he brings a good deal of experience to the role with his starting experience as a member of the Oakland Athletics.