SAN FRANCISCO -- All season long, the Giants have turned to Alex Wood when they’ve needed a boost, and all season long, he’s delivered. Thirteen times, Wood has taken the ball following a loss this season; the Giants have gone 12-1.
They’ve never needed him quite like this. With their season perhaps hanging in the balance, the Giants will be asking their veteran left-hander for more of the same on Monday night in Los Angeles. Manager Gabe Kapler tabbed Wood to start Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers, which is currently tied at a game apiece.
“First and foremost, he's just pitched really well for us, and in particular, he's pitched well for us of late,” said Kapler, who made the announcement after the Giants’ 9-2 loss to the Dodgers at Oracle Park on Saturday night. “That's the main consideration. He's one of our best three pitchers right now.”
Wood, who got the call over a struggling Anthony DeSclafani, will go head-to-head with Dodgers ace Max Scherzer. It’s a battle of two October staples of the past decade. Scherzer will be making his 24th postseason appearance. It’ll be Wood’s 21st -- including four out of the bullpen last season in the Dodgers’ run to the World Series. He owns a 3.55 career playoff ERA in 33 innings.
“You look at Woody's numbers in the postseason, I mean, he's been incredible, whether it's starting or coming out of the bullpen,” said right-hander Kevin Gausman, who took the loss on Saturday. “Obviously the Dodgers know that too, because they had him for a long time. So it's going to be a good matchup. I'm excited to watch Woody work.”
After filling an important bullpen role on the Dodgers’ run to the title last season, Wood hit free agency in the winter with designs on starting again. In January, he signed a one-year, incentive-laden deal with the Giants.
In 26 outings this season -- all starts -- Wood posted a 3.83 ERA and a 3.48 FIP. He faced his former club three times and has more or less averaged a quality start. He pitched six innings in two of those outings, allowing two runs, three runs and four runs.
“If there’s anybody that knows how to pitch at Dodger Stadium, it’s Woody -- especially against that team, that lineup and in that environment,” said righty reliever Dominic Leone. “We have all the confidence in the world in him. We’ll be ready.”
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October 10, 2021 at 02:07PM
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Wood to start G3 for Giants in former home - MLB.com
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