The San Francisco Giants avoided a sweep in Atlanta after losing the series’ first two games against the Atlanta Braves. Both Alex Cobb and Logan Webb were less effective than usual. On Friday, the offense put up no runs in support of Cobb, who allowed four. On Saturday, it appeared that they would win. But Tyler Rogers blew a 5-4 lead in the eighth, allowing a two-run shot to Eddie Rosario on a misplaced sinker.
The Giants Avoided a Sweep in Atlanta
Starting With Saturday’s Disaster
Tyler Rogers’ Pitching
As mentioned, Rogers allowed a crucial homer in the eighth when the Giants were about to win it. It’s commonly known that Rogers is a unique pitcher. Of course, all submariners are, but his delivery is just different. Who releases that low?
One would think he’d have to rely on soft contact all the time because he can’t throw 90 miles an hour, even on his fastball. He is one of the slowest-throwing pitchers in the league. And yet he’s figured out a way to be overpowering, and often looks as electric as any flamethrower. Although he releases lower than you could imagine, he knows how to attack the zone’s top. And the particular pitch for doing that is his slider. He uses it with his fastball/sinker to blow hitters away.
There’s another way, too, in which he’s defied expectations. Typically, submariners have extreme platoon splits, which sometimes means they aren’t particularly effective against opposite-handed batters. But Rogers has used his stuff to become incredibly good against lefties. If anything, he would be considered to have reverse platoon splits, although he can still be trusted against righties.
The Tradeoff
But in all this, it’s essential to realize that Rogers’ electric stuff comes with a tradeoff. It’s not like he never gives up a home run or big hit. He likely could be more adept at preventing hard contact than some finesse pitchers are.
Now don’t get me wrong. In the overall scheme of things, Rogers developed just right. The Giants wouldn’t trade his overpowering ability for anything. But on Saturday night, he made a mistake, costing the Giants.
A Much-Needed Win
The Giants found themselves in a big game heading into Sunday. The damage to their division chances is irreparable at this point. But their Wild Card chances can be saved yet. They’re just going to need to perk things up.
Sunday’s win was the start of that. The Giants went with a bullpen game, with Jakob Junis coming in first. Junis against Max Fried didn’t look too promising. But the Giants got three runs on the board on a solo shot from Luis Matos and a two-run shot from Wilmer Flores.
With a 3-2 lead in the eighth, Camilo Doval came in for a five-out save. But Patrick Bailey committed a throwing error on Ronald Acuna Jr.‘s steal of third base, allowing Acuna to take home and tie the game.
The Giants loaded the bases in the top of the ninth. Joc Pederson, who’s been in a similar situation several times this year, walked to force in the critical run. Doval retired the Braves in the bottom of the inning, and the Giants took the win and avoided a sweep.
Looking Ahead
The next challenge will be to face the Philadelphia Phillies. This is an opportunity for them to gain ground in the NL Wild Card race. They’re in the second spot but could move up to the first if all goes well.
The San Francisco Giants avoided a sweep in Atlanta after losing the series’ first two games against the Atlanta Braves. Both Alex Cobb and Logan Webb were less effective than usual. On Friday, the offense put up no runs in support of Cobb, who allowed four. On Saturday, it appeared that they would win. But Tyler Rogers blew a 5-4 lead in the eighth, allowing a two-run shot to Eddie Rosario on a misplaced sinker.
The Giants Avoided a Sweep in Atlanta
Starting With Saturday’s Disaster
Tyler Rogers’ Pitching
As mentioned, Rogers allowed a crucial homer in the eighth when the Giants were about to win it. It’s commonly known that Rogers is a unique pitcher. Of course, all submariners are, but his delivery is just different. Who releases that low?
One would think he’d have to rely on soft contact all the time because he can’t throw 90 miles an hour, even on his fastball. He is one of the slowest-throwing pitchers in the league. And yet he’s figured out a way to be overpowering, and often looks as electric as any flamethrower. Although he releases lower than you could imagine, he knows how to attack the zone’s top. And the particular pitch for doing that is his slider. He uses it with his fastball/sinker to blow hitters away.
There’s another way, too, in which he’s defied expectations. Typically, submariners have extreme platoon splits, which sometimes means they aren’t particularly effective against opposite-handed batters. But Rogers has used his stuff to become incredibly good against lefties. If anything, he would be considered to have reverse platoon splits, although he can still be trusted against righties.
The Tradeoff
But in all this, it’s essential to realize that Rogers’ electric stuff comes with a tradeoff. It’s not like he never gives up a home run or big hit. He likely could be more adept at preventing hard contact than some finesse pitchers are.
Now don’t get me wrong. In the overall scheme of things, Rogers developed just right. The Giants wouldn’t trade his overpowering ability for anything. But on Saturday night, he made a mistake, costing the Giants.
A Much-Needed Win
The Giants found themselves in a big game heading into Sunday. The damage to their division chances is irreparable at this point. But their Wild Card chances can be saved yet. They’re just going to need to perk things up.
Sunday’s win was the start of that. The Giants went with a bullpen game, with Jakob Junis coming in first. Junis against Max Fried didn’t look too promising. But the Giants got three runs on the board on a solo shot from Luis Matos and a two-run shot from Wilmer Flores.
With a 3-2 lead in the eighth, Camilo Doval came in for a five-out save. But Patrick Bailey committed a throwing error on Ronald Acuna Jr.‘s steal of third base, allowing Acuna to take home and tie the game.
The Giants loaded the bases in the top of the ninth. Joc Pederson, who’s been in a similar situation several times this year, walked to force in the critical run. Doval retired the Braves in the bottom of the inning, and the Giants took the win and avoided a sweep.
Looking Ahead
The next challenge will be to face the Philadelphia Phillies. This is an opportunity for them to gain ground in the NL Wild Card race. They’re in the second spot but could move up to the first if all goes well.
Main Photo Credits: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
