SAN FRANCISCO — A Potential Trade Target for Contenders

Attention playoff teams in need of pitching: San Francisco has a left-hander, Robbie Ray, who’s previously won a Cy Young Award and recently faced off against Chris Sale.

The Giants’ front office is buzzing, not just because of Ray’s contribution to their 3-2 victory over the Braves on Sunday, but also due to his notable performances.

Ray has been on a roll lately, and he might be the best option on the market as the August 3 trade deadline approaches.

In his last three games, Ray has not allowed an earned run in a remarkable 22 2/3 innings. He was just eight innings away from helping the Giants secure their first winning home record since late April.

“There hasn’t been much discussion about that,” manager Tony Vitello mentioned, regarding Ray’s impact on potential trades. “We are focused on finding deals that align both position players and pitchers, playing solid ball. If we manage to do that with Robbie Ray, we’ll be in a good spot.”

Yet, with trade rumors swirling, Ray’s name keeps popping up, especially as a seasoned starter with an expiring contract.

Ray expressed that he is more focused on performing well for his team rather than the ongoing trade speculation. “I just aim to give my team a chance to win,” he said. “Whatever will be, will be.”

Ray relied heavily on his two-seamer to generate weak contact against the Braves and completed another efficient outing with just 95 pitches over eight innings.

He has significantly reduced his use of the four-seam fastball, which had been a staple in his career. Despite striking out only two batters and allowing just four hits—none until the fifth inning—Ray managed to go deep into the game.

In the final inning, following an error, Atlanta finally managed to get on the board.

“I’ve used the four-seamer for most of my career,” Ray admitted, acknowledging the need to detach emotionally from it. “But I still have it in my arsenal.”

Instead of his usual four-seam pitches, Ray employed 36 sinkers paired with changeups and sliders. This shift in strategy has correlated with his recent success.

Previously, on May 24, Ray struggled, giving up four runs in just four innings with a season-high ERA of 4.60. Following his recent outing, that number has dropped to 3.39.

Vitello noted, “The players were fouling off fastballs. Now, we’ve started to induce contact earlier in the at-bat, which led to shorter at-bats and allowed him to go deeper into games.”

Ray’s dominance has been apparent, boasting a 1.46 ERA over his last eight starts. With an expiring contract, he presents more than just a temporary fix for a team looking for a pitching upgrade.

Chris Sale, Atlanta’s starting pitcher, also had a strong performance with 10 strikeouts before being removed after six innings. Without recovering from the situation in the sixth inning, he unintentionally aided the Giants’ scoring.

Once Sale left the game, the Giants capitalized. Pinch hitter Drew Gilbert triggered a rally, advancing to third on a double before scoring on a sacrifice fly.

That extra run was crucial; Atlanta managed to score in the ninth, but Caleb Killian secured the win with a save.

What It Means

Heriot Ramos returned to the field after a lengthy absence due to a quadriceps injury, making an immediate impact by getting a hit that contributed to the Giants’ offense.

Though originally acquired for the designated hitter role, his return complicates the lineup, as Vitello works to incorporate several players consistently.

Who’s Hot

Ray’s recent outings highlight his growth as a starting pitcher. During this homestand, Giants starters have recorded impressive statistics, although the overall team has struggled to secure wins.

The pitching staff has shown improvement with a combined 1.31 ERA, yet inconsistent offense has kept the Giants at a modest 4-3 during this stretch.

Who Is Not?

Sale was anticipated to be a formidable competitor but faced challenges against the Giants despite his strong season. Even with a low ERA, the Giants have managed to find some momentum in their recent games.

To the Next

Looking ahead, the Giants’ bullpen appears well-positioned as they prepare for upcoming series against division rivals. Mahle is set to build on his recent strong performance as they embark on a road trip to face the Diamondbacks before the holiday weekend in Colorado.