Marco Luciano debuts—and gets pinch hit for—in SF Giants' win vs. A's

San Francisco Giants top prospect Marco Luciano made his long anticipated MLB debut last night. Luciano received a standing ovation prior to his first at-bat, and again after he flew out to the right field wall on the first pitch he saw. Luciano also made a few nice plays at shortstop for the Giants. But after only two plate appearances, leading off the seventh inning with a two-run lead, SF Giants manager Gabe Kapler elected to pinch hit for Luciano. While the move may have been correct statistically, it took away from the entertainment value of the game, as so many Giants fans wanted to see Luciano.

Kapler's decision earlier in the game to pinch hit for Michael Conforto with Austin Slater, however, was a good move. The difference is that at that point the game was tied and the go-ahead run was on second base with one out. Slater hit another pinch-hit homer, giving the Giants a lead they would make stand up. Slater is the best pinch hitter in baseball, but this move does highlight the disappointing overall season Conforto has had, and the fact that his poor performance against lefties means he will sometimes not hit against them. Most of the SF Giants' offseason signings have been significant disappointments.

But all that matters is that the Giants beat the A's and swept this two-game series. The Giants' position as clear buyers had slipped following their ghastly six-game losing streak, but the SF Giants are in a much better position after two straight wins. They're only three games back in the NL West, and they are the top wild card team in the league. FanGraphs estimates the Giants' playoff odds to be roughly 65% with only four games remaining before Tuesday's trade deadline.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Ibotta

Right now, Ibotta is offering our listeners $5 just for trying Ibotta by using the code MLB when you register.Just go to the App Store or Google Play store and download the FREE Ibotta app and use code MLB.

eBay Motors

For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel

Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.

Sleeper

Download the Sleeper app and use promo code LOCKEDON and you'll get up to a $100 match on your first deposit. Terms and conditions apply. See Sleeper’s Terms of Use for details. Currently operational in over 30 states. Check out Sleeper today!

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices