Logan Webb, since he debuted in 2019, has made virtually all of his starts, averaged a 4.0 WAR per year has routinely kept his ERA below 3.50 and has shown no sign of slowing down or injury. I'm saying this because it seems all too rare nowadays that somebody can just make all their starts for 5 years. Typically someone will throw their arm out or need TJ surgery or have a quadding injury or some shit, but Webb, thus far, has been one of the most consistent and omnipresent starting pitchers of the decade so far. It's been Webb, Wheeler, Gausman, Bassitt, Nola [til now] and Framber Valdez, amongst others I'm probably forgetting.
Fundamentally I shouldn't like Logan Webb, because buried in his ledger is the detail that at some point during the 2019 system he failed a routine drug test and was nearly suspended for 80 games. Unlike a lot of his contemporaries [Alvarado, Tatis, Profar, Cano], he was genuinely innocent and would be vindicated when it became clear that he had no knowledge of how the steroid got into his system. It's on the side of 'he's innocent', but there's this overall uncertainty, a lot like Mike Piazza or Gerrit Cole, on whether or not there was actually cheating involved. I believe him, though. And seeing as, as good as he's been since coming up, Webb hasn't hit the sensors again, I think he's clean for the long run.
Logan Webb, as it stands, is having a slightly more human year than expected, while also still being Logan Webb. Through 12 starts he's 5-5 with a 2.82 ERA and 84 Ks. The W/L ratio isn't scaring too much because the last two years he's had similar luck with that standard of Giants team, but with a better, more competitive squad he's still 5-5. Robbie Ray, for reference, is 7-0. I think Webb is still the Giants' best starter [though Jordan Hicks and Justin Verlander has made this relatively easy], but he's just come upon some tougher starts than usual. The good news is he still looks good by and large, and is on pace for another consistent, full season.
Also it is odd that JV is on this team, cause he used to be the 'go out there for 35 games every year' guy and then eventually his arm couldn't keep up. The tables have turned.
The Giants are in the middle of a close race for second place in the NL West, alongside the San Diego Padres. On their side, the Giants have an outstanding bullpen, some well spread-out power hitting, breakthroughs from the majority of the outfield, another strong season from Matt Chapman and the sudden RBI powers of Wilmer Flores. The Padres, however...still might have the better team. But the Giants at least have a Marlins series to whet their appetite before the Padres come to town. So we'll see if either one legs ahead.
Coming Tomorrow- He got off to a truly horrendous start and worried a ton of people that the Red Sox' money had gone to the right place. Suffice to say they're a lot less worried now.
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