Giants’ Strategic Mastery Leaves Sultanes Scrambling for Answers
While the performance can’t teach us too much, there was a little info to be gained before the game even started. We’ve officially reached the point of the preseason where the lineup card carries meaning. There’s some stuff to decode there.
For instance: Luis Arráez hit leadoff, despite facing a left-handed pitcher. There’s been a lot of speculation as to where Arráez would hit — personally, I’d opt for fifth or sixth — and the Giants haven’t tipped their hand. This is our first real data point, and it seems safe to assume that the team’s new second baseman will hit first with some regularity. Similarly, Jung Hoo Lee batted cleanup, which might seem unconventional. But we’re seeing more and more teams use contact hitters in the heart of the lineup, as the San Diego Padres did with Arráez on multiple occasions last year. Could we see Lee — the team’s second-best contact hitter, but a player shy on power — hold down the fourth spot in the lineup from time to time? It’s looking like the answer could be “yes.”
Also of note is that Rafael Devers was the designated hitter, while Casey Schmitt played first. Devers still hasn’t played the field since returning from a mild hamstring injury, and now it wouldn’t be surprising if that carries into the season.
And speaking of players not in the field, Harrison Bader was once again absent, as he deals with a hamstring injury of his own. Missing this game certainly casts some doubt on Bader’s availability for Wednesday’s opener, and possibly even brings into play the idea of him beginning the year on the Injured List. Jared Oliva started in center field in Bader’s place, as he continues to trend towards being the 2026 winner of the annual Christian Koss award for the non-roster invitee who doesn’t have a chance to make the team, they’re just there for Minor League depth, but wow, they sure are playing well, and huh, they sure are playing a lot, and wait a minute, maybe they do have an outside chance at making the roster even though that would be crazy oh, hey, yep, they made the opening day roster award. Working title. Let me know if you have any feedback. If Bader isn’t healthy by Wednesday, it would feel like Oliva’s spot on the roster is essentially a lock.
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