Manager Tony Vitello evaluates Giants' bullpen after late collapse vs. Rockies
Giants manager Tony Vitello speaks to reporters ahead of San Francisco's matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night at Coors Field.
Manager Tony Vitello evaluates Giants' bullpen after late collapse vs. Rockies originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
Some conversations and then also trying to be active in the dugout of, being aggressive.
You know, you asked about the first and third play last night.
I mean, it'd be ideal if you can read the third base runner's cheating pretty good.
But, whether it's on defense, offense, or on the bases, we just like to get off our heels.
And I thought last night you mentioned not, you know, dwelling on some, some negatives 'cause of the outcome of the game, so that's the nature of the beast.
But, we want the feeling in the dugout and on the field, all facets of the game, to be off our heels.
Because, you know, at other points of the season, whether it's after a loss, or if we're not playing well, getting caught on our heels, and it's Y- you're gonna stay on your heels if you're on your heels.
So I think that plays into it a little bit.
How would you evaluate where the bullpen is right now?
You know, I mean, today obviously there's gonna be some guys, even though we had an off day a day ago, the Diamondback series tested us, last night tested us.
everybody knows the name of the game when you're here.
it's gonna play live from the first inning to the ninth, and, and in extra innings, too.
So, your question's probably more pertaining to what's our confidence level in the pen and who's where.
Performance.
I, I Yeah.
I, I think, you know, the bottom line is if y- if you break it down individual by individual, it's really tough to touch on Killian, because he's given that responsibility last night and it didn't go well.
But I think if you just look at what Killian, Caleb's done from spring training on, it's a positive.
Hentges is getting into his form.
I have ultra level of confidence in him.
Borucki, ever since the Pirate series, has thrown better.
Miller's slowly getting into a rhythm.
Keaton has been put in every situation from the fifth inning to the ninth.
It's challenging, and more times than not has gotten it done for us.
I'm leaving some name Brubaker's done phenomenal for us when we've asked him to go length.
Gage?
So yeah, Gage I trust in any situation.
He's always got calm.
So I realize, the score has not been in our favor the last four games, as much as that pains you to say.
but if you're gonna just go full body of work, I, I think the group has done well, and I think the group's learning, too.
I mean, a few guys are new to the bullpen down there.
A couple guys are just back off rehab stints.
so whether you wanna be positive or not, that's what we need to be, but also I do think there is reason to be positive.
Who, who are you seeing as sort of the back end, high leverage guys right now?
I, I think Keaton, a- and Caleb obviously, but also trust Gage in any situation.
He's kind of been thrust into that.
And I think when Miller, you know, has his legs under him, in a rhythm, whatever kind of BS cliche you wanna throw at it, when Miller's doing what Miller can do, I think you can trust him to close a game.
You know, or obviously anything prior to that.
Back on Brennan, how do you expect to use him?
D- is he gonna get a lot of starts or mainly off the bench?
No, I think he is gonna hit her off the bench.
I mean, it's something we started the year off without having, and it's a nice luxury to have.
unfortunately it only comes up so often, and then again, when you do, you're kind of put on the spot.
talked with John Miller one time, just kind of a behind the scenes look.
The one thing about these guys that do come off the bench, even if it was 38 degrees out, those guys are getting the scouting report, they're in the cage preparing, they're coming in hot, doing the best they can, but it is one at bat.
And, you know, a guy might just miss a ball, but you're judging it basically off d- did the guy get on base or not in that situation.
But it's gonna continue to kind of be his role.
Now, we, we've, with Ramos out and, and at the time Jung Hu, we've had to do some y- you know, interesting things in the outfield, but I think he's a reliable defender as well, if we wanna, you know, make a defensive move.
