SF Giants may be without key player for first game of series vs. Dodgers

The SF Giants embark on a crucial three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning Friday night at Oracle Park. They may be doing so without one of their best players, third baseman Matt Chapman, due to the appeal of his suspension.

Chapman was involved in the kerfuffle that ensued in Colorado last week after Rafael Devers hit a huge home run that drew a thin-skinned response from Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland. The two yelled at each other which led to the benches clearing and Chapman shoving Freeland to try and defend Devers.

SF Giants may be without Matt Chapman for first game of Dodgers series

When the dust had settled, Freeland, Chapman, and Willy Adames were all ejected from the game. After the game, Chapman was hit with a one-game suspension while others were fined. It seemed unfair that Chapman was the only one to be suspended because his shove was not completely over the top. It was not as if he clocked Freeland in the jaw or something.

Chapman appealed the one-game suspension and went out the next day looking for some redemption. He certainly found it as he hit two home runs and helped power the Giants to victory.

It was great to have Chapman for that game, but depending on how the appeal goes he may not be available for the first game of the uber-important series against Los Angeles.

Giants beat reporter Andrew Baggarly appeared on KNBR recently and discussed Chapman possibly having to serve his suspension:

“Yeah, it should be [Thursday]. He's going to have this teleconference hearing. I would expect we'll have an answer on that.

"I'm not sure if they're going to announce it or not, but I'll obviously try to find out. And then if the appeal is upheld or his suspension isn't reduced to a fine, then he would have to sit out that game right away. So that would be Friday.

"That would be the first game of the series against the Dodgers. So yeah, we should have news on that shortly.”

News on the suspension sounds like it should arrive at some point today. It would be reasonable for MLB to reduce it to a fine because, again, Chapman did not do anything especially egregious. It would be unfair if he was the only one who had to sit out a game for the whole ordeal.

Chapman is valuable to the Giants in so many ways which is why it would really hurt if he had to miss the first game of a series that is going to be so crucial for the Giants as they try to sneak into the playoffs. Every game carries so much importance so the Giants would really like this appeal to go in their favor.

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