Bruce Bochy explains why he'll use the DH over Madison Bumgarner on Friday
San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner will start Friday at Yankee Stadium, but don't expect him to hit.
Unlike the last time Bumgarner started an interleague game on the road, Giants manager Bruce Bochy plans to take advantage of the DH.
"I think we're seeing three right-handers," Bochy said, per the San Francisco Chronicle. "Not that (Bumgarner) is a matchups guy. But with our situation now, I'll probably DH one of our left-handed hitters. Our bench is deeper now. Plus, it could be really hot. We want to keep him off the field."
Indeed, the Yankees are expected to start righty Masahiro Tanaka on Friday -- and Bumgarner is a right-handed batter.
Bumgarner is hitting .154 with two homers, two doubles and five RBI in 52 at-bats this season. When he was allowed to bat during his start in Oakland on June 30, he doubled in his first at-bat and finished 1-for-4 with a run scored. In the past three seasons, Bumgarner has 11 homers and 29 RBI. Earlier this summer, he petitioned unsuccessfully to participate in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star festivities.
In his role as the team's ace, Bumgarner is 10-5 with a 2.12 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 20 starts (135 2/3 innings) this season.
