Reds vs Giants: Pitching preview, prediction, and more

Giants hurlers have stifled opposing offenses.

Entering play on Sunday, the San Francisco Giants pitching staff’s ERA of 3.04 was second-best in the National League. After yesterday’s game, those numbers have only improved as the team trails only the San Diego Padres (1.78 ERA) with a 2.70 ERA.

Former Reds’ starter Anthony DeSclafani tossed six shutout frames and fanned eight Rockies in a 4-0 San Francisco victory. In two starts this season, Disco has allowed only one run in 11 innings while striking out 12 opponents. After spending five years in the Cincinnati organization, it’s great to see DeSclafani off to a great start with his new club.

Disco isn’t the only member of the Giants rotation enjoying success. San Francisco starters have surrendered only two homers over 54.1 innings through the season’s first nine games.

The Giants have had to rely on dominant pitching because their offense has been mainly anemic to this point. Heading into Sunday afternoon’s contest, San Francisco was slashing a meager .197/.287/.367 and averaging just 3.4 runs a game.

Even though they haven’t hit for much average or reached base often, the Giants have been smacking homers at an impressive rate. Their 14 long balls on the season only trail the 16 round-trippers hit by the Cincinnati Reds among senior circuit clubs.

One Giant who has managed to be immune to the offense’s collective slow start is third baseman, Evan Longoria. The 35-year old veteran is hitting .333 with three homers and seven RBIs through the team’s first nine games of the season.