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When the Giants face the visiting Miami Marlins on Friday in the
season opener for both teams, Webb will match up against fellow
right-hander Sandy Alcantara.
Webb went 11-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 27 appearances last year,
including 26 starts.
That was a huge breakthrough considering he had a 5.22 ERA as a
rookie in 2019 and a 5.47 ERA in 2020.
But last year, Webb was dominant, especially over his final 22
starts, going 11-0 with a 2.20 ERA including the postseason.
He's also had success against the Marlins, beating them in his
only appearance last season. That happened last year on April
25, when he threw seven scoreless innings, allowing just three
hits and three walks while striking out eight batters.
Webb features a sinker, changeup and slider for approximately 90
percent of his pitches, and he's intense on the mound.
"You see me yelling at myself all the time," Webb said. "But as
soon as I get off the mound, I get back to talking to my
coaches."
Webb is backed by a Giants team that won 107 games and the
National League West division last season, snapping a four-year
playoff drought.
The big change for the Giants this year is at catcher, where
seven-time All-Star Buster Posey retired. Joey Bart, 25, is the
heir apparent. He has just 35 games of big-league experience,
but he was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2018.
Gabe Kapler, the reigning NL Manager of the Year, also has Curt
Casali, whose 2.72 catcher's ERA was the best in the majors last
season.
Offensively, the Giants' top players, based on their 2021
statistics, are first baseman Brandon Belt (29 homers, .975
OPS), shortstop Brandon Crawford (24 homers, .895 OPS) and third
baseman Evan Longoria (.833 OPS).
However, Belt is questionable for Friday due to knee
inflammation, and Longoria (finger) is out. In addition,
starting right fielder LaMonte Wade Jr. is out due to a knee
injury, and starting second baseman Tommy LaStella (foot) is
questionable.
As for the Marlins, Alcantara is set to become the third pitcher
in franchise history to make three starts on Opening Day. The
others on the list are Josh Beckett (2003-2005) and Josh Johnson
(2010-2012).
Alcantara went 9-15 with a 3.19 ERA last year, striking out 201
batters in 205 2/3 innings over 33 starts.
He was one of just three major leaguers to get at least 200
innings and 200 strikeouts last year, joining top-four Cy Young
finishers Walker Buehler and Zack Wheeler.
Yet Alcantara -- who is 0-2 with a 2.88 ERA in five career
appearances (four starts) against the Giants -- doesn't get much
media attention.
"I feel bad sometimes because I don't get much credit,"
Alcantara said. "But I've got to keep focused."
As for the lineup, the Marlins have added three starters -- Gold
Glove-winning catcher Jacob Stallings and corner outfielders
Avisail Garcia and Jorge Soler.
Last year with the Brewers, Garcia set career highs with 29
homers and 86 RBIs. Soler was the World Series MVP with Atlanta.
One issue for the Marlins is at closer, where Dylan Floro (15
saves last year) will not break camp with the team while
recovering from an arm injury. Holdover Anthony Bender (2.79 ERA
in 2021) could be the closer until Floro returns.
--Field Level Media
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