Houston @ San Francisco preview
Oracle Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2021 ) Houston 6, San Francisco 8
Two pitchers who went undefeated in July will be tasked with shutting down hot-hitting attacks on Sunday when the Houston Astros and host San Francisco Giants conclude a three-game series.
Right-handers Luis Garcia (7-5, 3.19 ERA) and Logan Webb (4-3, 3.36) are the scheduled starters in the finale of a series that already has featured 29 runs and 45 hits -- including 11 home runs.
The Giants got even on Saturday thanks to five homers and a relentless offense that produced runs in six of the eight innings in which the club batted.
All that occurred before the arrival of Kris Bryant, who needed an extra day to prepare after having been in Washington with the Chicago Cubs at the time of the deadline-beating deal that sent him to the Giants on Friday afternoon.
The Giants hope he can make his San Francisco debut on Sunday.
One player who figures to lose playing time with the addition of the versatile Bryant is LaMonte Wade Jr., who responded to a shot at the leadoff spot on Saturday with a two-run homer. The blast was the 13th of the season for the 27-year-old, who had gone deep on just two occasions in his first two seasons with the Minnesota Twins.
The home run landed in the San Francisco Bay behind the walkway from which his mother was watching the game.
If Wade, who played left field on Saturday, is bothered by the acquisition of a player who is expected to play in that position for the Giants, he surely didn't show it on his trip around the bases.
"LaMonte shows a ton of emotion on the field," Giants manager Gabe Kapler said after the win. "When he comes into the dugout, he comes in with a lot of emotion, too, and really connects with people.
"I've seen a lot of players over the years share their success with their teammates and with coaches. Some real good players come to mind. It's a skill. LaMonte has that."
The Astros hope for the same from Chas McCormick, who is expected to become the club's regular center fielder with Myles Straw having been dealt Friday.
McCormick got the start Saturday and went 0-for-4, perhaps the result of not being able to warm up with his former sidekick.
"I was actually really good friends with him, so it's actually pretty sad," McCormick said of the trade. "But at the same time, it gives me an opportunity. It gives me more playing time. Looking (forward) to the opportunity, and I believe I'm ready for that."
McCormick has never batted against Webb, who enters Sunday's game with a 3-0 record and 1.54 ERA in his past seven starts.
He has faced the Astros just once in his career, taking the loss in a 6-4 defeat in Houston last August. He served up a homer to Martin Maldonado among five runs and four hits surrendered over 3 1/3 innings.
Garcia went 1-0 in three July starts in which he struck out 24 in 15 2/3 innings.
The 24-year-old has yet to face the Giants or any current member of their team.
--Field Level Media