Webb makes Giants history as second-half ace dazzles

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Logan Webb had 10 strikeouts to help snap the Giants’ four-game losing streak and Darin Ruf provided the go-ahead RBI in the 8th as San Francisco beat the Brewers 5-1 to climb back into a tie atop the NL West standings.

Logan Webb has been pitching well throughout the 2021 season, but the Giants pitcher has turned into the ace of the rotation over the second half. Webb continued that dominance Thursday, as he struck out 10 Milwaukee Brewers and helped the Giants avoid being swept in a 5-1 victory at Oracle Park.

Webb logged his 14th straight start allowing two earned runs or fewer, which is the longest stretch by a Giants pitcher since at least 1901.

Webb also is nearing some post All-Star break history for the Giants, as his ERA since the midsummer classic is the second-best in the team record books.

That's not to say Webb was pitching poorly before the All-Star break, as he went into the midseason hiatus with a 4-3 record over 11 games with a 3.63 ERA. Webb struck out 58 batters over 52 innings.

In the second half, however, Webb has gone 4-0 over 10 starts with a 1.64 ERA. In 60 1/3 innings since the All-Star break, Webb has struck out 63 batters.

This mesmerizing overlay of Webb's sinker and changeup demonstrates the difficulty hitters have had in figuring the right-hander out at the plate so far this season.

RELATED: Giants, Dodgers set for massive showdown tied atop NL West

Webb primarily relied on his fastball and changeup during a down 2020 campaign, but has found consistent success throwing his sinker and slider more than the rest of his pitch arsenal.

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It isn't a coincidence that Webb's strikeout percentage is up 8.3 percent from 2020 (27 percent). Only Kendall Graveman has seen a more steep increase in out-of-zone swing percentage than Webb this season (32.2 percent).

As Kevin Gausman's production has dipped over the back half of the season following a red-hot start, Webb has become a beacon of consistency for the Giants' rotation.

Ahead of a critical final month with the NL West race in a dead heat, Webb will be counted on to last deep into games and continue the dominance he has shown since mid-July.

If he can keep making hitters miss at the rate he has been, there's no reason to believe Webb will be slowing down anytime soon. 

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