Logan Webb outdueled by Justin Steele in SF Giants 5-0 loss to Cubs
It was another frustrating day for the SF Giants on Monday afternoon, losing to the Chicago Cubs 5-0. Once again, Giants ace Logan Webb had a start that should have been good enough to win, but he received no run support from his offense and was on the short end of a low-scoring game. The Giants fell to 70-68 on the season and are now a half-game back of the Diamondbacks, Marlins, and Reds for the third and final National League Wild Card.
Chicago Cubs SP Justin Steele pitches against the SF Giants on September 4, 2023.
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco's offense did face a tall task against Cubs starter Justin Steele. Steele entered the day with a 2.69 ERA (3.08 FIP) on the season with 141 strikeouts in 144 innings pitched. On Monday, the 28-year-old Missouri native consistently painted the edges of the strike zone with his four-seam fastball while mixing in his slider. A Giants lineup filled with hitters struggling against heaters looked overmatched throughout the game. Steele surrendered just two hits and two walks across eight shutout innings pitched, striking out 12 in the process.
Webb nearly matched Steele for the first six innings of the game, allowing just two hits, including a solo home run to Seiya Suzuki that was the lone run for much of the game.
With the Wrigley winds blowing out on a hot summer day, the environment was ripe for an offensive showcase. Instead, two of the best-starting pitchers in the National League put on a show.
Webb stumbled in the bottom of the seventh inning. He allowed a lead-off single to Cody Bellinger, who scored on an RBI double by Suzuki. A Yan Gomes single with two outs in the inning drove in Suzuki and led Giants manager Gabe Kapler to call upon the bullpen. Webb finished the day having allowed three runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched.
Just two days after rookie pitcher Tristan Beck was hit hard by the Padres, Kapler decided to use him in relief of Webb. Beck had been in the team's rotation for the past two weeks, which made the move a bit surprising given Beck's limited rest after his previous outing. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walk in 1.1 innings pitched. It sure seems like Kapler was using Beck because he will be optioned in the coming days for either Ross Stripling or John Brebbia, who are both with the team in Chicago and will likely be activated from the injured list. Still, given the rested state of San Francisco's pen, it seemed unnecessary to push Beck on short rest.
The SF Giants will return to Wrigley Field on Tuesday in desperate need of some life at the plate. The fact that San Francisco was able to remain in a Wild Card spot for so long in spite of a horrendous offensive slump gave them an opportunity to right the ship. But they have not. It's still close, but they are behind three other teams to get back into playoff position.
