Madison Bumgarner don’t need no fuckin DH
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The San Francisco Giants began a four-game, home and home series against the Oakland A’s on Monday, and the series finale is tonight with MadBum on the mound. Instead of using a designated hitter for Bumgarner, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that his lefty ace is going to hit. It’s the first time since 1976 that a team has intentionally used a pitcher instead of a DH in their lineup.
Here’s a stat for you. Bumgarner has 11 home runs over his last 201 plate appearances dating back to April 11, 2014. Mike Trout has 10 home runs over his last 203 plate appearances, Bryce Harper has 6 home runs over his last 201 plate appearances, Jose Bautista has 9 home runs in his last 204 plate appearances, and David Ortiz has 12 home runs in his last 200 plate appearances. Bumgarner is hitting a home run once every 16.45 at-bats since April 11, 2014. Based on that rate, if he got 600 at-bats in a season, that projects to a 36 home run season, which is why he wants to be in the Home Run Derby, and probably should be.