World Series Game 6: Michael Morse to start at DH for San Francisco Giants

Michael Morse has played a key role for the San Francisco Giants in this year’s World Series, despite coming off the bench for much of the series, but the slugger will reportedly start at designated hitter tonight in Game 6. The news was first reported by Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area, who noted that the team had a number of internal discussions about how to set their lineup.

Travis Ishikawa and Juan Perez have seen the bulk of the playing time in left field in the series, notably due to the defensive advantages they offer over Morse. Consideration was given to starting Perez in left again in Game 6, with Ishikawa DHing, but it seems as though Bruce Bochy will instead go with Morse to get his bat in the lineup. Morse is 5 for 13 in the postseason, with a home run and a double.

Morse’s career splits versus left-handed and right-handed pitching are relatively close, likely eliminating any potential matchup issues as the game progresses and the Kansas City Royals bullpen gets involved in the game.

Morse batted .279/.336/.475 in 482 plate appearances during the regular season, but was slowed by an oblique injury during the year’s final month. He’d signed a one year deal to join the Giants last offseason.