Logan Webb logs eight innings in Miami

The runs all came in the first. Two soft hits to left field opened the game, and after George Springer walked to load the bases with one out, Daulton Varsho hit a liner to right that a sliding Jung Hoo Lee couldn’t catch, resulting in an RBI single. Kazuma Okamoto then followed with a grand slam on a ball 328 feet down the right field line. It would have been a homer only in San Francisco and in Yankee Stadium, according to Statcast. So, that’s the five runs. Only the homer, which wasn’t even a barrel, was hit harder than 72 mph. Webb allowed just one hit and one walk after the first. The All-Star gave up 12 runs in his last two starts to finish the first half 5-7 with a 3.86 ERA. Still, he’s throwing just fine.

Coors Field is not a safe place for any pitcher. Not even a sinker-baller like Webb who came into this game on an absolute heater after pitching to a 0.71 ERA in June. He gave up multiple runs in each of the first three innings before being mercifully pulled. This is one of those starts you just flush, forget about, and move on. Webb is scheduled to face the Blue Jays next week to close out his first half.

The Giants said afterwards that Webb was under the weather tonight, which explains why his velocity was down a tad, but it didn’t pose any problems in his latest gem. He struck out six and moved to 3-1 with a 0.95 ERA in five starts since coming off the injured list at the beginning of the month. He’ll likely make his next start Friday in Colorado.

Webb seems to be the lone untouchable piece for the Giants, who are locked in a battle with the Rockies for last place in the NL West and find themselves nearly 10 games out of a playoff spot. The 29-year-old workhorse has endured a down year overall, but he remains a key component for San Francisco’s rotation as they pivot towards more of a rebuilding effort.

Olney adds that Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray are also obvious trade candidates. All indications are that Logan Webb is one of the few untouchables for San Francisco as they pivot towards more of a long-term build. The Giants sit at 29–43, nine games out of a playoff spot. Nothing appears imminent, but barring a dramatic turnaround, San Francisco is shaping up to be a seller ahead of the trade deadline in early August.

Webb is known for being a groundball pitcher, of course, but he got a bunch of lazy flies today in improving to 4-4 with a 3.46 ERA. It’s the second straight start in which he’s pitched eight innings and allowed one run, as he did so in a no-decision against the Nationals last week. He’s allowed a total of two earned runs in 27 1/3 innings over four starts since coming off the IL. Next up for him is start in Miami against the Marlins.

Webb struck out seven and walked none before leaving with a 3-1 lead that got blown by Keaton Winn in the ninth. At least it’s Webb’s second straight outstanding start, as he pitched seven scoreless innings with one hit allowed last week against the Brewers. Given how shaky he was in April, casting some doubt on how he’d perform while losing that extra margin for error he seemed get from umpire pre-ABS, before spending much of May on the IL, there’s suddenly a lot more to be encouraged about here. He’ll face the Cubs on Sunday.

Webb struck out four and lowered his ERA to 4.25 this season. He struggled in his first start back from a knee issue, but that outing came at Coors Field. The right-hander looked like his vintage self against the Brewers, which the Giants will need going forward as they battle the Rockies to escape the NL West cellar. Webb’s next matchup is scheduled to come at home against the Nationals, who entered Wednesday leading MLB in runs per game.

It was Webb’s first start since missing over three weeks due to a knee issue. The right-hander had some control issues with three walks and just 50-of-86 pitches for strikes, but he was able to strike out five in a decent return to the bump for the 29-year-old. Webb has a tough test Wednesday in Milwaukee against the Brewers and still has a 4.82 ERA due to his struggles prior to the injury, but fantasy managers should be willing to give Webb the benefit of the doubt going forward.

The 29-year-old right-hander will make his triumphant return to the Giants’ rotation on Friday against the Rockies. He missed just over three weeks due to right knee issues. Webb returns to a 5.06 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 42/15 K/BB ratio across 48 innings.