SCOTTSDALE — The Giants and Dodgers are more than a month away from renewing their rivalry, but Bruce Bochy is already letting some strategic thoughts seep into the manager’s office. It’s never too early to start thinking about potential lineups, especially when the rivalry games will mean so much.
In this case, Bochy is thinking specifically of a lefty-heavy Dodgers rotation. In addition to ace Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers bring back Brett Anderson and Alex Wood (who could be in the bullpen). They added Scott Kazmir in free agency and Hyun-Jin Ryu will be back from shoulder surgery at some point.
“Will that come into play in deciding the club with the lefties in the division? Possibly,” Bochy said. “I think it’s something you have to think about.”
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SIGN UP HERE The eight players in the everyday lineup are set, but the Giants are cognizant of the fact that they need more right-handed pop off the bench. The biggest bat could belong to Andrew Susac, who has shortened his swing to prepare for a season when most of his at-bats could come as a pinch-hitter. The Giants like the idea of having a third catcher to let Susac pinch-hit more often, and they’re also working a bit of a different way to get Susac’s bat in the lineup. The catcher spent much of his time at first base during Friday’s workout, and he looked smooth while fielding pop-ups.
“It’s something he could do (during the season), so that’s why we’re getting him work here,” Bochy said. “We’ll take a look at it. You never know. If he’s hot with the bat, you can find a way to get him out there, too. I think it’s something he could handle.”
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Of course, Bochy has an everyday first baseman, and he’s a good one. Belt had a .802 OPS against lefties last season and Bochy is pleased with his progress in that area, but there are still certain matchups the Giants would rather avoid. For instance, Belt is 3 for 37 in his career against Kershaw. The Giants have traditionally moved Buster Posey to first when Belt sits against a tough matchup or gets a day off, but Bochy wants options in case the starting pitcher wants to throw to Posey.
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Giants hitters have talked excitedly this spring about the depth of a lineup that could look slightly different just about every day. Joe Panik hit .291 against lefties last season but he wouldn’t pout if Matt Duffy occasionally slides up to second against a southpaw. Brandon Crawford goes through stretches where he hits lefties better than righties. Gregor Blanco didn’t have much of a platoon split last season. And Belt, for all the trouble against Kershaw, has generally fared well against the other lefties in Los Angeles, and he has two homers in six at-bats against Kazmir.
There will be plenty of options when the Dodgers come to town April 7, and Bochy is already thinking about them.
THE SOUNDTRACK: Today’s BP mix from DJ Crawford: Tupac, 50 Cent, T.I., DMX, Jay-Z and Eminem. Unfortunately Crawford hit on the back field so he couldn’t hear any of it. This place needs better speakers.
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HEALTH UPDATES: Sergio Romo (slow-played) threw his first bullpen of the spring. Bochy got a good report on the crisp 22-pitch session. Matt Cain (cyst removed) was here but didn’t do much because he’s wearing a sling for a couple of days. Bochy said “my gut tells me he’ll be ready” for Opening Day.
NOTEWORTHY: Johnny Cueto faced hitters for the first time. He also gave up his first homer as a Giant, an oppo shot from Hunter Pence (who looks seriously locked in). There’s some Cueto vs. Susac video on my Facebook page.
“He’s a pro,” Bochy said of Cueto. “You see how he gets ready and warms up, and he carries it out here. He's always working on something.”
ICYMI: From this morning, my story on Jarrett Parker’s offseason travels. And from last night, Chris Lincecum gives some new details about the progress of Tim Lincecum.
QUOTABLE: Former Giant Nick Noonan got a rare joke opportunity earlier this month. According to Padres beat writer Corey Brock, Noonan had this message when he signed on Feb. 8, one day before the birth of his son: "I became a Padre today, I'll become a Padre tomorrow."