SF Giants opt for controversial pitcher strategy in first game vs. Nationals

The SF Giants are set to face the Washington Nationals on Friday night at Oracle Park. With their starting rotation banged up a bit, they have decided to employ the controversial opener strategy with reliever Matt Gage set to start on Friday.

This news comes via Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle who shared it on social media. The opener strategy will always rankle the feathers of some Giants fans given its association with the previous regime led by Farhan Zaidi.

SF Giants turn to opener strategy vs. Washington Nationals

The Giants used openers quite a bit during his tenure, especially during the 2023 season. This, as well as the team's underperformance, helped contribute to Zaidi's ouster because the opener approach created a brand and style of baseball that some fans found unappealing.

The Giants, and MLB at large, have mostly turned away from that strategy more in recent seasons. With the old-school manager Bob Melvin coming in after Gabe Kapler's firing coupled with Buster Posey replacing Zaidi in the front office, the Giants have tried to have a more traditional five-man rotation these last two seasons.

However, given the injury to Landen Roupp that has made it harder to employ that traditional approach. The rookie Carson Whisenhunt was called up and looks like he belongs in the rotation for the rest of the year, but that still leaves one open spot in the rotation as Roupp tries to come back.

The Giants tried Kai-Wei Teng as a starter in that spot the last time through the rotation, but he struggled against the New York Mets. That may be why the Giants are going with Gage instead this time around.

Gage has been solid for the Giants this season. He has yet to allow a run in 9 and 1/3 innings pitched with San Francisco and did not allow a run in 5 and 2/3 innings of work with the Detroit Tigers earlier in the season. He started a game as an opener for the Giants against the New York Mets and pitched a scoreless first frame while striking out Francisco Lindor.

The lefty is pitching well enough that he could earn a spot in next year's bullpen if he keeps it up.

Tonight, he will be the opener and look for either Teng or maybe Carson Seymour to follow him from the bullpen as they will try to provide a little length and serve as a bridge to their late-inning relievers.

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