San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb grew up dreaming about pitching at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif., but never envisioned doing so in a major league game.
So, it will seem surreal for the native of nearby Rocklin when he steps on the mound Saturday night as the Giants visit the Athletics in the middle contest of a three-game set.
Webb (7-6, 2.61 ERA) grew up 25 miles northeast of town and was often at the ballpark watching the Triple-A affiliate of the then-Oakland Athletics play.
The Athletics’ final season of affiliation with the Sacramento River Cats was 2014, the same year Webb was selected in the fourth round by the Giants. San Francisco officially began its affiliation with Sacramento the following season.
“When I got drafted by the Giants, that was one of those things I looked forward to, was playing for the River Cats,” the 28-year-old Webb told reporters.
Webb did pitch once in Sacramento before becoming a star with the Giants. He gave up one run in seven innings in his lone outing in 2019 and then was promoted to the majors.
Other major leaguers have been critical of the Athletics’ three-season temporary home — including Saturday A’s starter Luis Severino — but Webb is looking forward to again stepping on that mound.
“I’m interested to see how it all works with a big league game — it’s a minor league stadium, so we’ll see,” Webb said. “I’ve seen all the stuff from guys complaining about it, and I get it. I understand that, but for me, it’s a little sentimental because it is my home.”
Webb lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday when he gave up three runs and seven hits over 6 1/3 innings in a 4-2 game.
Webb beat the Athletics in San Francisco on May 16 when he allowed one run and five hits over eight innings in a 9-1 game. He is 3-2 with a 3.61 ERA in seven career starts against the A’s.
Brent Rooker is 0-for-8, Lawrence Butler is hitless in seven at-bats and Shea Langeliers is 0-for-6 against Webb.
The Athletics rolled to an 11-2 victory in Friday’s opener of the three-game series. It was their fourth win in the past six games and the Giants’ eighth loss in 11 games.
Nick Kurtz and Denzel Clarke hit two-run homers. Clarke’s blast traveled 471 feet.
“I attacked that ball,” Clarke said of the epic blast. “I was just happy to help the team win.”
Severino (2-9, 5.09) has struggled in his first season with the Athletics and there is speculation the team will look to move him prior to the trade deadline.
Severino has lost three straight starts, serving up five homers in 13 2/3 innings and allowing 16 runs (14 earned) and 21 hits during the span for an ERA of 9.22.
In his last turn, Severino gave up seven runs (five earned) and five hits over 3 2/3 innings against the New York Yankees in a 12-5 defeat.
Severino, 31, has struggled at home all season, going 0-7 with a 6.79 ERA and 1.60 WHIP.
“It’s really tough,” Severino told reporters about pitching in West Sacramento. “If they trade me or not, I’m going to keep grinding. Trying to be my best going out there.”
One of his better outings of the season came against the Giants in San Francisco on May 17. Severino allowed four hits over six shutout innings and received a no-decision in the 1-0, 10-inning loss.
Overall, Severino is 0-1 with a 1.89 ERA in three career outings against the Giants. Willy Adames (4-for-13) has homered against Severino, while Rafael Devers is just 3-for-22.
Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (hand) will be activated prior to Saturday’s game and is slated to be in the starting lineup.
–Field Level Media
