Matt Moore is in the starting rotation for the San Francisco Giants. For now, at least.
With Bruce Bochy breaking the news on KNBR on Wednesday that Matt Cain would be moved to the bullpen to make room for Madison Bumgarner’s return, the Giants showed their faith in Moore to turn it around in the second half of the season.
That being said, the leash may not be too much longer for the left-hander, who is 3-9 with a 6.04 ERA.
Mike Krukow joined Murph & Mac on Thursday morning to discuss the dynamic of Cain in the Giants bullpen, and why he could return to the starting rotation soon if Moore doesn’t turn it around.
“Cain can go into the bullpen because he can assume the role of long-man right now,” Krukow said. “Will he stay there? That depends on one guy – it depends on Matt Moore. Because right now, Matt Moore is struggling big time. He’s going to have two or three starts to get himself on track in the second half. After that, you don’t know.”
Moore has fallen mightily this season. After being aquired at the trading deadline in 2016 from the Tampa Bay Rays, Moore pitched well down the stretch, punctuated by eight shutout innings in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Cubs. That success hasn’t carried into the 2017 season, however.
“If you’re going to have a good rotation, you’re going to have to have pressure from somebody to take your job if you don’t perform,” Krukow said. “And Matt Moore has been struggling for a long time. He’s just not seemed to be able to get right mechanically. Now there’s going to be some pressure on him to do that.”
To listen to Krukow’s full interview with Murph and Mac, click below. To listen to Krukow comment on Matt Moore and Cain’s move to the bullpen, skip ahead to the 1:45 mark.