The Giants have one more shot to leave Cleveland with something to show for the trip, and Thursday’s finale gives them a real chance to do it.
San Francisco enters the series rubber match at 52-74 after grinding out a 1-0 win Wednesday night. That pulled the set even at one game apiece and put the Giants in position to take the series behind Landen Roupp, who gets the start opposite Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams.
First pitch is set for 10:10 a.m. PT at Progressive Field.
The lineup shifts back into a familiar shape with a right-hander on the mound for the Guardians. Drew Gilbert is back in the leadoff spot after batting seventh against lefty Parker Messick on Wednesday. Rafael Devers stays in the two-hole as the designated hitter, with Willy Adames hitting third and Bryce Eldridge following at first base.
Adames is back in the lineup after sitting Tuesday and then returning Wednesday, when he delivered a three-hit night. With the Giants scoring only once, they could use more of that again in a hurry.
Victor Bericoto, who drove in the only run Wednesday, is out of Thursday’s lineup.
Roupp comes in at 7-12 with a 4.31 ERA and 128 strikeouts. His job is clear: keep Cleveland’s top of the order from getting rolling. The Guardians are sending out Steven Kwan, Travis Bazzana and Jose Ramirez in the first three spots, with Nathaniel Lowe batting cleanup.
San Francisco’s pitching staff carried the load Wednesday. Matt Wilkinson made his MLB debut and worked two scoreless innings, helping keep Cleveland in check while the offense stayed quiet. The Giants didn’t need much more than that to hang on.
Roupp doesn’t need to copy that exact script, but the Giants would gladly take another steady outing.
Williams, though, is a tough assignment. He enters at 11-7 with a 3.74 ERA and 190 strikeouts, so San Francisco’s bats will have to create something early if they want to build any momentum.
The key matchups are straightforward. Gilbert gets the chance to jump-start the game from the top, Adames has a chance to build on his three-hit performance, and Roupp faces a big test against Jose Ramirez, with Kwan and Bazzana looming right behind him.
It all comes down to one more game, one more chance, and one more opportunity for the Giants to turn this trip into a series win.
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