PHOENIX - Arguing that Jeff Samardzija needs a good one tonight is overstating the case. The Giants have far too much baseball to play. Samardzija has far too many starts left. "Needs" is too strong a word.
For his psyche and the team's, a good effort at Chase Field on Saturday night still would be welcome.
He, like any pitcher, has to be on the money in this ballpark, which is very unforgiving. It's a hitting paradise, not the ideal setting for a pitcher who has surrendered nine home runs in his past five games and has a 6.