Kapler's moves pay off again as Giants move closer to playoff position - a podcast by Locked on Podcast Network, Ben Kaspick

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants' much-needed win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night. Drew Smyly was on the mound for the Giants and he pitched great once again. Smyly and Kevin Gausman, the two major-league free agent signings by Farhan Zaidi last offseason, have been excellent. They've given the Giants a good chance to win each and every game they pitch. Especially considering how well the offense has performed this year. Austin Slater hit a leadoff home run, and Gabe Kapler pushed all of the right buttons once Luis Basabe had the leave the game with a hamstring injury.
Crawford replaced Basabe and moved to shortstop. Daniel Robertson, who started as shortstop, moved to left field. Darin Ruf, who started in left, moved to right. The moves by Kapler paid off in two ways. Robertson made a great play in left field, throwing out the potential tying run at second base to lead off the seventh inning. In the bottom of the seventh, with the score tied, Kapler pinch hit for the righty Robertson against a right-handed reliever with the lefty Alex Dickerson. Kapler still had Dickerson available to pinch hit because he did not make the obvious substitution with Dickerson for Basabe when Basabe was injured. Dickerson rewarded Kapler with a go-ahead pinch-hit home run. Later in the inning, Brandon Belt pinch hit for Wilmer Flores with two runners on, and Belt hit a two-run double.
Kapler's moves have worked beautifully this year for the most part, and the Giants moved closer to playoff position with the win. With a win tonight, the Giants will move back into playoff position with five games remaining. FanGrpahs lists their playoff odds at 51% entering play tonight.
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