SAN FRANCISCO – It’s not just Tony Vitello’s first Opening Day with the Giants. The same goes for those at the top and bottom of his debut lineup, Nos. 1 and 9 hitters Luis Arraez and Harrison Bader, who joined the team as free agents over the winter.
But don’t forget about Rafael Devers, who’ll bat third tonight as the Giants’ designated hitter against the New York Yankees in MLB’s 5:05 p.m. opener at Oracle Park (streamed on Netflix).
Devers, acquired last June in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox, is being eased into his first Giants opening day, after dealing with a hamstring issue since March.
“For brevity’s sake and the conversations we’ve had, he’s kind of put the ball in our court,” Vitello said pregame. “I don’t want to say he’s been cooperative, because that makes it sound too drastic; he’s been understanding with the approach we want to take.”
Devers is looking to replicate his opening-day prowess from past seasons. He belted home runs (as the No. 2 hitter) in the 2022 and ’24 openers, including a two-run, first-inning shot off Gerrit Cole at Yankee Stadium. Devers last opened a season in the No. 3 spot in 2020 (0-for-4).
With Devers in the DH spot and top prospect Bryce Eldridge opening at Triple-A Sacramento, the Giants’ Opening Day first baseman is Casey Schmitt, who’s played 18 career games there. Schmitt will bat seventh, after hitting .298 with three RBI in Cactus League action.
It can’t go unnoticed that Heliot Ramos is starting in left field for a second consecutive Opening Day. The Giants infamously started a different left fielder each of the previous 19 seasons on Opening Day.
Vitello, who joined the Giants directly from the University of Tennessee, said of his first lineup: “I’m glad they’re in our dugout. Throughout the year, a couple of those guys, particular two of the lefties there, are pretty versatile. It’s similar to what we’ve done in recent history. Most of the guys are fairly familiar with the spot they’ve been in or have had success at different times.”
ROOKIE MISTAKE
Vitello said it took a bit to fall asleep on the eve of his MLB debut but “once I was out, I was out” for a solid seven hours. He did, however, commit a rookie mistake by not turning his phone to do-not-disturb mode, resulting in an ex-teammate repeatedly buzzing him.
The first-time MLB manager said he is heeding his players’ advice, stating: “They’ve made me feel like I should approach this day with confidence and a bunch of other good attributes.”
Vitello professed his love for opening day, in general, adding: “This sport is based in tradition more than any other.
“One thing always there is get the bunting out. Opening day comes with so many things but it’s a blank canvas for the fans, (the media), the players. The statistics don’t really have much to do with it. The players I’ve gotten to know, a common theme from theme is that other than the playoffs, this is the best day of the year.”
Vitello’s emphasis for Game No. 1 of 162: Let the guys play.
“You’re always looking for thoroughbreds. When the game starts, the people that are tuning in will get their money’s worth because there are a lot on the field,” Vitello added. “If we (coaches) had our preference, we’d like to stay out of the way and let them go out at it and decide who’s better on this given day.”
OLIVA MAKES CUT
Outfielder Jared Oliva made the first opening-day roster of his career, five years removed from the 30-year-old’s last big-league appearance with Pittsburgh.
“He was excited and intense. When he reflected on how hard he’s had to work to get to an opening-day setting, then it got different,” Vitello said. “It’s pretty awesome. He’s earned it. It’s nice when the guys make the decision for you.”
ROBO UMP
Bill Miller may be the home-plate umpire but Vitello was thrown off pregame when recalled that that ABS (automated ball-strike system) will be implemented, with teams receiving two challenges per game.
“I’ve got to be honest, one thing I was looking at was who are the umpires. The first thing you see is there’s going to be a robot umpire,” Vitello said. “It was only for a milisecond, but I kind of freaked out. They were referring to the ABS.”
BULLPEN SCOUTING
Vitello’s Opening Day press conference came, of course, with a nod to his University of Tennessee roots, which he invoked when discussing having three left-handers in the Giants’ bullpen: Ryan Borucki, Matt Gage and Erik Miller.
“Let’s call it like it is: I just graduated from college. I’d take eight lefties. That’s kind of how it works down there,” Vitello said. “But it’s a variety of looks and also you look at splits and there are guys that have reverse splits.”