Giants update: facing Vogelsong, handling Casilla, missing Posey, lineups
Giants update: facing Vogelsong, handling Casilla, missing Posey, lineups
Ryan Vogelsong is back in in town and starting Monday night’s series opener for the Pirates, and he’s expected to get a nice reception from Giants fans who recall his inspirational story and postseason success.
Vogelsong has had two quality starts since coming off the disabled list (one earned run in 12 innings) after recovering from facial fractures sustained from getting hit by a pitch May 23.
Vogey was really popular in this clubhouse, very well respected.
Buster Posey is out of the lineup a second straight game with tightness in his lower back, which has bothered him since the team’s flight from Miami.
Faith in Casilla: A day after the Giants blew a 7-1 lead and the bullpen coughed a 7-4 cushion, Bochy didn’t sound like a manager with plans to shake things up.
Sunday, Hunter Strickland was charged with two runs in the eighth inning, and closer Santiago Casilla gave up Jonathan Schoop’s three-run homer in the ninth -- an 8-7 Giants loss to the Orioles.
On whether he’s confident with the bullpen going into the stretch run: It’s pretty impressive what they did the last road trip, how well they’ve all thrown.
On weighing Casilla’s good stretches (he was 15-for-16 in save chances before Sunday) vs. his six blown saves: I’ve got to look at the body of work, and recently he’s been really, really good.
On whether Casilla would be used in a save situation Monday after appearing in consecutive games, though Saturday’s outing lasted just one pitch: I think he’s fine.
Mac Williamson will play seven innings Monday night for Triple-A Sacramento, and Josh Osich is to pitch an inning.
Pirates lineup: 2B Harrison, SS Mercer, CF McCutchen, 1B Freese, LF Marte, 3B Kang, C Cervelli, RF Polanco, RH Vogelsong.
Giants lineup: CF Span, LF Pagan, 1B Belt, SS Crawford, RF Pence, 2B Panik, 3B Nunez, C Brown, LH Moore.