Jeff Samardzija

Brewers' Thames primed for success against Samardzija's slider

Published Jun. 5, 2017 1:17 p.m. ET

San Francisco Giants starter Jeff Samardzija has thrown his slider 24 percent of the time this season.

He may want to lay off that particular pitch when Eric Thames steps into the batter's box Monday.

Thames is among the league's most effective sluggers when presented with a slider, and has an .842 slugging percentage against the pitch this season, up from his usual .273/.413/.605 slash line.

Player	Team	Slugging % vs. slider
Chris Taylor	Dodgers	1.000
Eric Thames	Brewers	.842
Justin Bour	Marlins	.765
Michael Conforto	Mets	.750

*Minimum 15 at bats

But while showing Thames a slider may be a questionable decision at any time, Samardzija should probably avoid the pitch entirely in the first inning.

Thames and Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw have been among the league's most effective hitters this season in the first.

Player	Team	1st inning OPS
Michael Conforto	Mets	1.553
Corey Dickerson	Rays	1.377
Travis Shaw	Brewers	1.324
Eric Thames	Brewers	1.259
Zack Cozart	Reds	1.241

*Minimum 25 plate appearances

Samardzija and the Giants will have to deal with Brewers starter Junior Guerra, who has been one of the league's best success stories since breaking into the majors in Milwaukee last year.

Guerra has the National League's second-best record since last season amongst pitchers with at least 12 decisions at 10-3.

Player	Team	Record	Winning %
Stephen Strasburg	Nationals	22-5	.815
Junior Guerra	Brewers	10-3	.769
Clayton Kershaw	Dodgers	19-6	.760
Jon Lester	Cubs	22-8	.733
Max Scherzer	Nationals	26-10	.722

*Minimum 12 decision

Guerra has started just three games for the Brewers this season after suffering a calf strain on Opening Day but has pitched well since returning to the rotation, and has a 1.84 ERA in 14 2/3 innings pitched this year.

Statistics courtesy of STATS LLC

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