SAN FRANCISCO -- Joc Pederson has just 10 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this year and only five against lefty starters, but he's in the lineup against New York Mets southpaw Thomas Szapucki on Wednesday. Of course he is.
"That was strictly self-preservation on my part, nothing more," manager Gabe Kapler joked in the morning. "I'm all good with trying to get the platoon advantage whenever possible but I also want to survive the day."
Pederson hit three homers and drove in eight runs on Tuesday, dragging the Giants to a thrilling win that snapped a five-game losing streak. The Giants went righty-heavy a day later but Pederson is batting sixth and playing left field. This is not generally a staff that believes in players getting "hot," but Kapler said sky-high confidence can have a big impact no matter who you're facing.
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"I believe in a player feeling confident, coming off a big game, stepping back in the batter's box the next day and feeling good about themselves," he said. "Does that always translate into success? No, it doesn't. We know that it doesn't. But it probably gives you a marginal advantage rather than not feeling good about yourself."
The other ninth-inning star, Brandon Crawford, is not in the lineup. Kapler said he felt Crawford could use a day of rest and this gives him 48 hours to catch his breath since the Giants are off Thursday. They start a three-city trip on Friday in Cincinnati and will see a lot of right-handed pitching, so the Giants will need both Pederson and Crawford at their best.
Donovan Walton was called up from Triple-A Sacramento to start at shortstop. Kevin Padlo was optioned back to Triple-A.
--- Other roster moves are coming soon. Jake McGee is back in the clubhouse and will be activated when eligible on Friday. McGee was put on the IL with lower back tightness, and he was struggling quite a bit at the time. But he threw well during a rehab assignment and said a small tweak has him feeling like his old self.
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Director of pitching Brian Bannister noticed that McGee's stride was two inches shorter than it was last year when he was the Giants' closer most of the season. McGee made the fix and started getting further down the mound, and he said the late-life has returned on his fastball and he's having an easier time getting it up in the zone, which is crucial for him.
Catcher Curt Casali is doing well and looks likely to come off the concussion IL on Saturday in Cincinnati, where he played before signing with the Giants.
Austin Slater had an MRI and scan on his left wrist and said he has a bone bruise. Those can be unpredictable, but he will meet the Giants in Philadelphia and is optimistic. The Giants hope to get Brandon Belt back on Sunday in Cincinnati. Steven Duggar (oblique) is doing well and will start a rehab assignment soon. LaMonte Wade Jr. (knee) will not be back for at least three weeks.
--- Kapler read all the stories Tuesday night about Barry Bonds having an impact on Pederson. He said he did know that it was part of Pederson's pre-game routine.
"It's hard to miss Barry Bonds in your cage," Kapler said.
Kapler said he wasn't surprised to hear that Bonds had such a big impact.
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"Barry is one of the more knowledgeable human beings on hitting that ever lived," Kapler said. "When he talks on the subject, people listen. It doesn't surprise me that Joc had a great conversation with him and it doesn't surprise me that Joc was able to apply some of that because Joc is an excellent listener. He really absorbs information well."
--- Lost in all of the craziness on Tuesday: Logan Webb pitched well and had a sharp slider early on, a positive sign moving forward. The Giants won their 18th consecutive regular-season start at home with Webb on the mound, tying a franchise record. They are 20-5 when Webb starts at Oracle Park, which is the fifth-best mark in MLB history for a pitcher who made at least 20 home starts.
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