San Francisco Giants: Matt Cain’s poor start a concern?
By Joe Wedra
Apr 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (18) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco Giants definitely came into the 2014 season with questions surrounding their roster, but not many expected pitcher Matt Cain to be a question mark this early into the schedule.
Cain is still winless on the season after getting roughed up against the Colorado Rockies in Wednesday’s afternoon game. Cain pitched into the 7th inning, but he surrendered 10 hits and allowed seven earned runs against Colorado before being pulled for the no-decision. He walked three batters and struck out just four in a total of 6+.
He has did have a nice start against the San Diego Padres on the 18th, but he picked up a loss in three straight appearances. Against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he allowed five earned runs and six hits. His start before that was a no-decision against the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks, a game where he allowed seven hits over just five innings.
Unfortunately for the Giants, Cain can’t be relied upon as a sure-thing who can take the mound and put hitters down in order. As the season progresses, it’s looking less likely that Cain can go through the 2014 season with overwhelming success. No, the Giants offense hasn’t given him elite run support in the better games he’s pitched, but the veteran pitcher isn’t proving to be one of the stronger arms on the staff.
San Francisco has to be a bit concerned, as Cain isn’t the only one who hasn’t had his best stuff. Fellow starter Ryan Vogelsong has had a rough start as well. Most recently, the 36-year-old Vogelsong went just 1.1 innings against the Rockies, surrendering six hits and five earned runs.
With slow starts across the board, are the Giants a few more losses away from being a real concern?