SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Bob Melvin has yet to tell Logan Webb that Webb will be the San Francisco Giants’ Opening Day starter. Melvin understands he doesn’t really need to have that conversation with his ace.
“He knows,” Melvin said with a smile.
Melvin told reporters on Friday morning that Webb will be the Giants’ Opening Day starter against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark on March 27, the fourth consecutive year that Webb has had the honor.
“Once he gets to camp, it’s all scheduling to Opening Day,” Melvin said. “Very goal oriented and knows what he needs to accomplish by that day.”
Webb, who finished sixth in NL Cy Young Award voting last season, becomes the fourth Giant since the team moved to San Francisco to start four consecutive Opening Days, joining Juan Marichal (1964-69), Tim Lincecum (2009-12) and Madison Bumgarner (2014-17). In three Opening Day starts, Webb has allowed seven earned runs over 18 innings (3.50 ERA) with 20 strikeouts, throwing exactly six innings in each of those starts.
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While Webb shares a rotation with Justin Verlander and Robbie Ray — a tandem that’s won four Cy Young Awards — Melvin said Verlander and Ray know that Webb is the Giants’ unquestioned leader of the staff.
“He’s our guy,” Melvin said. “He came up in the system. There’s a lot of love about Logan.”
Check back for additional updates.