Giants Rest Slumping Stars, Vitello's Strategy

Giants manager Tony Bitello finally gave shorts that Willie Automays a day off Sunday at Oracle

Park against the Marlins.

Automays has been ice cold, hitting just 207 with three home runs and six RBI's over

27 games all starts for the 12 and 15.

Squad.

But here's the twist, slumping first baseman Rafael Devers got the nod instead, batting

fifth despite his own rough patch.

Players is scraping by at 213 with only two homers in nine RBI's plus a sky high strike

out rate near 32%.

His worst ever.

He's zero for eight this series and three for 19 on the homestand, no dinger since April

8th.

Both guys have toughed out every single game this season, but Automays's home splits

are brutal, 153 average here versus 269.

The road.

Bitello called it smart timing for Atomays, who's nursing some soreness with an off day

Monday before a six day road trip.

For Devers, it's about grinding through frustration.

No big fix needed, just more at bats to click back in the gear.

He trusts Devers feels good physically and wants him hunting that status quo production

from last summer's blockbuster trade.

Meanwhile, the Giants showed live Saturday with five walks in a six to two win, boosting

their league worst on base game.

The Tello's preaching based traffic over home run chasing says it's chasing ghosts, otherwise.

Shout out to Logan Webb and Patrick Bailey, who snagged their gold gloves in a pregame

ceremony for elite defense.

Now the crew heads to Philly Tuesday for three, then Tampa Bay back home may four through

10th versus San Diego and Pittsburgh.

Let's see if these slumps snap or Vitella pulls the plug on more rest days.

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I'm Corey with the story.