San Francisco Giants Brandon Belt who rehabbing from knee surgery has joined Giants broadcasters Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper in the TV broadcast booth for color and analysis while on the IL during the current homestand (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)
By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Following a win on Wednesday over the Atlanta Braves, the San Francisco Giants have Thursday off before embarking on a weekend series against the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park, renewing a rivalry that goes back to 1883.
In Friday night’s contest, Justin May (1-2, 4.29) starts for Los Angeles, facing the Giants’ Logan Webb (13-8, 2.88). The Giants’ probable starters for Saturday and Sunday, respectively, are Alex Young (0-1, 2.87) and Alex Cobb (6-6, 3.48). The Dodgers will counter with Julio Urias (16-7, 2.30) and Andrew Heaney (3-2, 2.84).
The Dodgers hold a 20-game lead over second-place San Diego, and lead the Giants by 29 ½ games in the NL West. Los Angeles will likely clinch the home field advantage for the National League postseason.
RODON ROLLS ON
Carlos Rodon struck out eight in five strong innings in Wednesday’s win over Atlanta before leaving the game with a blister. Rodon is in the hunt for the NL Cy Young Award, sporting numbers that include 13 wins, a 2.84 ERA, 220 strikeouts, a WHIP of 1.04 and an opponents’ batting average of .204.
BELT GIVES KUIP & KRUK A SHOUTOUT
No one is sure what the future holds for Giants first baseman Brandon Belt, who is out for the season after season-ending knee surgery. The 34-year-old Belt becomes a free agent at the end of the current season, and took some time to visit the NBC Sports Bay Area booth to chat with Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow.
“I told y’all before we got on the air that you are the best in the business, and I really mean that,” Belt said on the broadcast. “So if I don’t get a chance to play in front of y’all again, it’s been an honor.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Belt continued. “Y’all have the best calls in the game. I’ve heard everybody; y’all are awesome and y’all do it the best. So I know you all know this, but I wanted to get that out there.”
Kuiper responded, “I think Mike and I always appreciate it a little more when it comes from a guy who played. So we appreciate it.”
Krukow then returned the compliment to Belt, pointing out, “We have something to tell you too – thank you for helping put two (championship) rings on our fingers!”
Belt: “It was my pleasure. I’d like to get another one!”
Belt has said he would like to return to the Giants, but the combination of coming off a sub-par 2022 season and undergoing knee surgery at age 35 may be factors in the Giants’ decision-making for 2023. If the Giants decide not to bring Belt back, there’s a good chance the veteran first baseman could land with another club.
Belt recently told NBC Sports Bay Area that it’s too soon to make a decision on playing next season, explaining, “It’s just going to depend. I’m going to play next year if I can get my knee healthy and strong again. … If I can get it strong like I did (after surgery in 2015) then I’ll play, but if not, then I’m not going to go out there and be substandard all the time. We’ll just have to see.”
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