SAN FRANCISCO — For roughly three months, manager Bob Melvin had a formula when the Giants led in close games: Randy Rodríguez for the seventh, Tyler Rogers for the eighth, Camilo Doval for the ninth. There were variations, but that trio had their roles.
That formula now resides in the past.
Rogers is a New York Met, Doval is a New York Yankee and Rodríguez is the closer. Now, Melvin is tasked with finding another late-game formula that sticks.
“We still feel like we have some really good pieces in the bullpen,” Melvin said following the trade deadline. “I can’t tell you exactly how it’s going to be right now. There’s going to be some trial and error with it, but we have an idea of what it’s going to look like.”
Melvin isn’t starting from scratch.
Rodríguez was an easy choice to elevate into the closer role after earning an All-Star appearance in a non-closing role. Before the trade deadline, Rodríguez had a 1.20 ERA with 62 strikeouts over 45 innings. Rodríguez has converted two of his three save opportunities, his first blown save as the Giants’ closer being when he allowed two runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“To me, I don’t think about being the closer,” Rodríguez said through team interpreter Erwin Higueros. “I just know that I’m going to pitch the last inning. I’m a reliever. I get the ball. I have to do the same job that I have done previously. Just throw strikes.”
The Giants have been intentional about not overusing Rodríguez, pitching him in back-to-back days on only six occasions this season. On days when Rodríguez isn’t available, it’s possible that Ryan Walker gets occasional opportunities to close games as well.
Walker will primarily serve as a setup man, but his previous experience in the closer role can help alleviate the loss of Rogers and Doval. The cross-firing right-hander began the season as San Francisco’s closer before losing that job to Doval in May following extensive struggles. His 3.99 ERA is a far cry from the elite form he exhibited last year, but he’s quietly posting a 2.51 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 14 1/3 innings since July.
“I try and keep my mindset consistent,” Walker said. “Having these opportunities is great. I’m super excited for Randy to have that opportunity to be our closer. So with that, I’m going to stay consistent, try and get better each day and be able to take advantage of these positions to help the team out in any way I can. I’m excited for other guys too.”
Along with Rodríguez and Walker, newly acquired right-hander José Buttó should factor into Melvin’s late-game plans.
Buttó, who has a career 3.36 ERA over four seasons, pitched more in medium leverage situations for the Mets, but Melvin hasn’t had reservations about using Buttó in critical situations. In his first game as a Giant, for example, Buttó was brought in to face his old team in a one-run game with runners on first and third to face five-time All-Star Pete Alonso.
“I consider myself a warrior,” Buttó said through Higueros. “Every time I step on the mound, I give my 100 percent. If one day it doesn’t go right for me, I know that the next time I have an opportunity to perform better.”
As far as lefties go, Joey Lucchesi and Matt Gage have helped alleviate the absence of Erik Miller.
Lucchesi, pitching as a full-time reliever for the first time in his career, has a 2.18 ERA and 1.71 FIP over 20 2/3 innings. Gage, who signed a minor-league deal with San Francisco in July, hasn’t allowed a single run this season over 18 innings with the Giants and Tigers.
Miller hasn’t pitched for the Giants since July 2 due to a left elbow injury, but he is nearing his return to the big-league club.
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The left-hander made a pair of rehab appearances for Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 8 and Aug. 10, and the Giants are going to try to get him to pitch in back-to-back days later this week. If all goes well, Miller could potentially return next week when the Giants play the Padres in San Diego.
Melvin’s late-game formula will look different over the next two months without Doval and Rogers, but the relievers who remain believe that unit can still be a strength.
“It sucks losing those guys, but we have guys right behind them who can get the job done,” Walker said. “I believe just as well as they do. I have no doubt that Randy can be just as good, if not better, than Duvie. Duvie was incredible; I think Randy can do the same thing.”
“It’s really sad to see them go, but at the same time, we have confidence,” Rodríguez said.
