Scott Kazmir had already been one of the better stories of the 2021 season. He had not appeared in the majors since 2016, but still found his way to the San Francisco Giants in May. While that stint did not go as well as hoped, he was a part of the U.S. Olypmic team’s silver medal performance and had been posting solid numbers in Triple-A.
The major league portion of that story is getting a chance to have a different ending. The Giants are bringing Kazmir back to start Thursday’s game.
Scott Kazmir is starting tomorrow.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) September 22, 2021
San Francisco Giants giving Scott Kazmir another look
Kazmir did not have the return to the majors that he would have hoped for. He allowed five runs on eight hits, including three homers, and a walk in his seven innings of work. However, he did strike out seven batters, showing that his swing and miss stuff was still there.
That proved to be the case during the Olympics and in the minors. He fired five shutout innings against the Dominican Republic during his start in Tokyo before returning to Triple-A. In Sacramento, he has posted a respectable 4.61 ERA and a 1.196 WHiP over his 52.2 innings, striking out 48 batters with 18 walks. Those numbers deserved another shot at the majors.
As it is, the Giants are throwing him right into the fire. Although they have a playoff berth locked up, they are still in a dogfight with the Dodgers for the NL West. The Giants hold a one game lead in the division heading into Thursday’s action, but cannot afford to slip up. Kazmir getting this start is certainly a gamble.
But it is also one they have to take. As it stands, the Giants have been looking for a fifth starter with Johnny Cueto still sidelined. Kazmir performed well enough to get another look, especially given his previous experience when it comes to pitching in a playoff hunt.
Scott Kazmir is getting a chance to rewrite the major league chapter of his 2021 comeback story. He will start for the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.