SF Giants may soon have a controversy between oldest and youngest pitcher

The SF Giants have had a strong starting rotation so far in the 2025 campaign. They have gotten good outings from all of their starters at one point or another, but there could be a controversy soon between Justin Verlander and Hayden Birdsong.

The 42-year-old Verlander has had a couple of shaky starts after a respectable first outing in a Giants uniform in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, it seems that his new home ballpark still has his number dating back to his rough outing in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series.

SF Giants could have controversy between Justin Verlander and Hayden Birdsong

In three starts, Verlander has a 6.92 ERA in 13 innings pitched. He has walked six batters while striking out 16 so his stuff is still there, but he has not had the results he, or the team, would have wanted thus far. Thankfully, he says he feels fine physically which is a major positive.

It is far too early to press the alarm button, but if Birdsong continues to pitch the way he has coming out of the bullpen the calls may grow to have the 23-year-old flamethrower take Verlander's place in the starting rotation.

In three relief appearances and seven innings pitched, Birdsong has not allowed a run and has struck out six batters while walking just three. He has looked very impressive and has pitched multiple innings in all of his outings which has given manager Bob Melvin a sort of "super-reliever" he can rely on in both low and high leverage situations to come in and get outs.

We know that Birdsong is comfortable being a starter. He made 16 starts last season and had a 4.75 ERA which was impressive given the fact that he is such a young arm. The Illinois native is the only pitcher on the team born in this millennium and he definitely seems to have the raw stuff to be a future ace for the team.

A change in the rotation does not seem imminent, and it may be an injury rather than poor performance that eventually gives Birdsong his chance to start. However, let's say for the sake of argument that the current trajectory of both pitchers continues for the rest of April. If that is the case then Bob Melvin could have a tough choice on his hands.

No one wants to relegate a future Hall of Famer in Verlander to bullpen duties, but if he continues to struggle that could be a possibility. It would be ironic if Birdsong were to replace Verlander considering Verlander played a role in Birdsong's subtle tweak during spring training which has led to him pitching very well.

That is a ways down the road, though. For now, let's just hope that Verlander can start getting better results on the mound and hope that Birdsong continues to be a unique weapon in the bullpen.