Giants hold back Logan Webb to face Pirates

Molina gave up just one hit, and though that was a two-run homer from A.J. Ewing, it came with two outs in the second after a Rafael Devers error, making both runs unearned. Molina ended up striking out six and walking one. He’s gone 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in two starts and one relief appearance since joining the Giants, but we’d still be wary of using him against the Padres next week.

I’s the second shortest start of Webb’s career. He’s gotten nine outs or fewer six times in 202 career starts. Three of those have come since the beginning of July; he allowed seven runs in three innings at Coors Field on July 3 and five runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Red Sox just two starts ago. The rest of the outings in that span have been pretty good. Even with the five-run game, he had a 2.83 ERA in August (nine runs in 28 2/3 innings). All nine hits he allowed tonight were singles, and five came on non-hard-hit balls. It’s a little disturbing that he couldn’t stop the bleeding while retiring zero of the seven batters he faced in the third, but it’s probably not a major cause for concern. And, miraculously, he avoided a loss tonight. He’s the second starter this year to give up nine runs and not lose, joining the Royals’ Seth Lugo. The last Giants starter to give up nine runs in a non-loss was Kevin Correia on Apr. 20, 2004.

Molina’s six punchouts were a career high as he managed to limit his former team to just six hits, including a second-inning solo shot by Michael Harris II, in his first start of the year. The 24-year-old isn’t a recommended fantasy option at this point, but he’s going to get an opportunity to show what he can do over the final month of the season with San Francisco looking ahead to the future. He’s a name to watch in NL-only formats.

Webb struck out six and walked one. He allowed a solo homer to Hector Rodriguez but otherwise pitched well enough to win. San Francisco’s bullpen blew a six-run lead in the ninth, robbing him of the victory. Landen Roupp was originally scheduled to start this one before the Giants swapped his rotation spot with Webb. His next start lines up on the road against the Pirates.

With the Giants hoping for their first sweep of the season, they will turn to their ace on Wednesday. That means he will be flipped with Landen Roupp, who will now start on Thursday against the Diamondbacks. Webb last pitched on Friday against the Red Sox, so he will be on just four days’ rest, but he also only threw 2 2/3 innings in that outing.

Molina entered the game with two outs in the second inning after starter Adrian Houser departed early with a trainer. Molina stepped in nicely, pitching through the sixth while keeping the Reds off the board as he scattered just one hit and one walk. The 24-year-old right-hander may have to give the Giants more bulk work, either as a starter or a reliever, if Houser is to miss some time.

Molina gets his first look with the Giants after coming over from Atlanta in the Tyler Mahle trade earlier this month. The 24-year-old figures to operate in low-leverage spots initially.

Webb also issued a pair of walks in the abbreviated outing while striking out one. All of the damage against him came in the third inning, as Willson Contreras clobbered a three-run homer before the Red Sox tacked on another pair. It’s the shortest start that Webb has made all season. The 29-year-old hurler got just four whiffs on 70 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 30 percent. He’ll try to put this one behind him as he brings a 3.75 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 112/35 K/BB ratio (141 2/3 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Reds.

Webb tossed two scoreless innings, then gave up a run on three straight hits in the third. The three hits were three of only four Webb would allow over six innings of one-run ball. He struck out seven. The 29-year-old right-hander has been outstanding over his last four starts, giving up four total runs. He’ll take a 3.50 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 110/32 K/BB ratio across 139 innings into a start against the Red Sox in Boston on Friday.

Webb walked one batter and struck out two in this one while throwing 66 percent of his pitches for strikes. Shockingly, he had just three total whiffs and a three percent swinging strike rate. Yes, three percent. Webb has just a 10 percent swinging strike rate on the season and has notched more than five strikeouts in a game once since June 14. You’re getting plenty of ratio help with Webb, but the lack of strikeouts dampens some of his fantasy value.