DENVER — The San Francisco Giants lineup card looked different on Tuesday night when Gabe Kapler pieced it together ahead of opening a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies, and that's a very good thing if you're a Giants fan.
Ahead of Tuesday's game at Coors Field, the San Francisco Giants reinstated Joc Pederson and Thairo Estrada from the 10-day injured list, giving San Francisco more weapons as they look to solidify their position in the tough National League West.
How the San Francisco Giants are benefitting from the return of Thairo Estrada, Joc Pederson
Estrada and Peterson both slotted into the top third of the order on Tuesday, showing just how much value Kapler places in the duo.
"It makes a lot of difference. It just looks especially deep today," Kapler told the media inside the Giants dugout. "Estrada's back. Joc's back. Michael (Conforto, bruised heel) is back at full strength. Don't want to speak too soon on Michael because he's still dealing with a little bit of heel discomfort, but it feels like we're going to be a pretty full group today, so it does feel a little bit different."
Pederson gives the Giants a weapon, even deep in full counts. His .902 OPS and .543 slugging percentage with two strikes both lead all MLB batters. He also reached base in 20 of his last 26 games before suffering a right hand contusion on May 12 and going on the injured list.
Estrada, meanwhile, comes back from a left wrist sprain which forced him to miss the last nine games. Slashing .301/.345/.466 entering Tuesday night, Estrada is the first Giants player since Barry Bonds to have at least 55 hits, 30 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in the team's first 50 games of the season.
Conforto, signed this offseason to a two-year, $36 million deal, has seven homers and 18 RBI over his last 19 games.
Getting these three players back is a big boost for the San Francisco Giants, something the team needs sitting at 29-30 before starting its series in the Mile High City.
