Carson Whisenhunt joins a weary rotation to fill Thursday’s vacancy as the San Francisco Giants lean on veterans Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle to navigate a crucial pre-break stretch.
With just a few games remaining before the All-Star break, the San Francisco Giants seem to have mapped out their starting pitching plan to get them through Sunday, July 12.
Logan Webb takes the mound for the final time on Wednesday, July 8, though the team has yet to announce who will be starting the following day's game.
Now, San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser revealed Carson Whisenhunt seems to be that option. In her latest post, she acknowledged Whisenhunt was on the taxi squad, and the plan is to slot him into that final TBA spot for Thursday, July 9.
For what it's worth, the Giants had already announced Robbie Ray will be the game one starter for their final series in the first half. Ray will be followed by Tyler Mahle and Trevor McDonald, in that order.
Whisenhunt poised to make second start
The team has yet to make an official announcement, but all signs are pointing toward the 25-year-old taking the mound for his second start of the 2026 season. Remember, Whisenhunt made five starts a year ago, where he went 2-1 with a 5.01 ERA and 1.46 WHIP.
Coming off a 0.0 WAR season, the Giants only got a taste of what the lefty had to offer. They need a much larger sample size to come to a true decision. In his 2026 debut, he allowed two earned runs on six hits. Whisenhunt went 5.0 innings on Wednesday, June 17, in a start where he struck out a pair and walked two as well.
Ray, Mahle, McDonald to follow
Knowing the Giants must play four straight before the All-Star break, it's crucial they get the necessary innings out of their starting pitchers. This team hasn't been off since Thursday, July 2, so the bullpen is going to be a bit taxed and it's not like this team has a ton of wiggle room with their current 38-53 record.
Ray has been great this year with his 8-6 record and 3.45 ERA. He's picked up the win in each of his last four starts and hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a game since Wednesday, June 10.
Mahle went just 4.1 innings his last time out in a start that saw him give up three earned runs on eight hits.
As for McDonald, he was just embarrassed in a start that lasted just 2.1 innings, one where he allowed eight earned runs on 11 hits.
While Landen Roupp could've been able to make an extra start, it seems like the team is giving the 27-year-old some extra rest instead of throwing him out there one more time before the All-Star break.
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