Justin Verlander hopes to build upon an encouraging debut for the San Francisco Giants when he gets the ball in the home opener against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Friday afternoon.
After signing a one-year deal with San Francisco over the winter, Verlander (0-0, 3.60 ERA) has been the only Giant to start a loss so far this season when he took a no-decision in a 3-2 defeat Saturday at Cincinnati.
The 42-year-old, who suffered through an injury-plagued 2024 season while compiling a 5.48 ERA for the Houston Astros, was comforted by having allowed the Reds only two runs and six hits in five pain-free innings.
“Look, we didn’t win the game. Ultimately, my guys gave me a 2-1 lead. I would’ve liked to hold that,” Verlander said. “I’m usually trying to take a pretty objective view of my performance, good or bad, and I think this was OK. It wasn’t great. It wasn’t bad. But it was definitely a step forward from last season, I can say that.”
Verlander’s quest for 300 career wins — he stands 38 away — continues against the Mariners, one of his favorite victims. The right-hander will face one of the six teams he has beaten 20 or more times in his career, having compiled a 22-10 record and a 2.98 ERA against Seattle in 39 career starts.
The Giants have won four in a row since Verlander took the hill. Powerful hitting and lights-out relief work have been more responsible for the 5-1 record — all on the road — than starting pitching.
San Francisco, which ranked middle of the pack with 177 home runs in 162 games last season, has belted 10 in its first six outings led by Wilmer Flores (four) and Heliot Ramos (three).
Neither has faced Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller (0-1, 4.76), who has gone head-to-head with just two Giants in his three-year career. Neither Willy Adames (1-for-3) nor Matt Chapman (0-for-2) was with San Francisco when they dueled with the 26-year-old, who will be making his first appearance against the Giants.
Like Verlander, Miller last pitched on Saturday. He suffered the loss in his season debut against the Athletics, allowing three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.
The Mariners didn’t win either of their home series to open the season, splitting four games with the A’s before dropping two of three to the Detroit Tigers. Their three wins have all been low-scoring affairs — 4-2 and 2-1 over the A’s, then 3-2 over the Tigers on Wednesday.
The narrow decisions all have ended with Andres Munoz on the mound. He has recorded saves in all three wins, shutting down the A’s and Tigers on two hits over his three innings.
“I have more confidence in myself, especially knowing who I am and what my strengths are,” said Munoz, an All-Star last season when he saved 22 games. “I try to prepare every day like I’m going to close the game.”
Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Mariners and Wednesday’s 3-2 win were accomplished without the team’s hottest hitter in the early going, Jorge Polanco, who left to attend the birth of his child. The second/third baseman is eligible to return to the roster for Friday’s series opener.
Polanco, a free agent in the offseason who chose to re-sign with the Mariners, hit .400 with a home run and four RBIs in four games before going on the three-day paternity list.
–Field Level Media
