{"id":6360,"date":"2026-08-05T04:38:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T04:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6360"},"modified":"2026-08-05T04:38:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T04:38:02","slug":"sf-giants-tidwell-showcases-promise-in-first-start-of-year-despite-walk-off-loss-to-rangers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6360","title":{"rendered":"SF Giants’ Tidwell showcases promise in first start of year despite walk-off loss to Rangers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ARLINGTON, Texas \u2014 The Giants\u2019 season is no longer about trying to make the playoffs. That\u2019s been apparent for weeks, but the team\u2019s sell-a-thon ahead of the trade deadline served as the symbolic white flag on the year. For San Francisco, the next two months will not be about the wins and losses, but about answering one question:<\/p>\n

Read more Valkyries overcome double-digit deficit, sweep Toronto before heading on road trip<\/a><\/p>\n

Who can help the Giants be competitive in 2027?<\/p>\n

A small handful of names are obvious. Most players on the active roster, however, have uncertain futures and are auditioning for a job on next year\u2019s team. The word \u201copportunity\u201d will become monotonous in the coming weeks, if it hasn\u2019t already, and San Francisco needs to find out who can play. And in Tuesday night\u2019s 5-4 walk-off loss to the Texas Rangers, opportunities were seized.<\/p>\n

Bryce Eldridge, swollen thumb and all, delivered a pinch-hit, game-tying, two-run single in the top of the ninth. Osleivis Basabe hit his third home run in his last four games. But most imperative of all was Blade Tidwell, who allowed two runs over a career-high five innings and featured a six-pitch mix \u2014 technically five, in his assessment.<\/p>\n

The Giants are an organization in serious need of major-league quality starting pitching. Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle were just traded away, while Trevor McDonald and Hayden Birdsong have had their seasons ended by elbow surgeries. Tidwell, then, will have plenty of chances to stick as a starter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited for the opportunity,\u201d Tidwell said. \u201cI\u2019m embracing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tidwell, drafted as a starter, didn\u2019t crack the Giants\u2019 Opening Day roster but was quickly recalled, making eight appearances out of the bullpen in April. He allowed four runs over 12 innings (3.00 ERA) with 10 strikeouts, then was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento and stretched out as a starter.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old\u2019s outing on Tuesday was his first appearance with the Giants since April 28, and he\u2019s working with a slightly revamped arsenal. For one, he\u2019s ditched his splitter in favor of a traditional changeup. Tidwell also threw two curveballs against the Rangers, both for balls, and made it clear that the pitch is still in the research-and-development process.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s also the matter of velocity, which will be important to dictating his ceiling.\u00a0Tidwell\u2019s four-seam fastball averaged 94.7 mph on Tuesday, down from 96.2 mph when he appeared as a reliever earlier this season. Still, Tidwell had enough gas in the tank to end his night strong, his 100th and final pitch clocking in at 95.6 mph.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s common for starters to conserve their velocity, Tidwell said he didn\u2019t intentionally take some ticks off his four-seamer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s actually new,\u201d Tidwell said. \u201cI\u2019ve been throwing about the same speed starting as relieving. I don\u2019t know why my velo is a little bit down today, just battling with that.\u201d<\/p>\n