Even though Jeff Samardzija is a lot closer to a return than originally forecast following his pectoral injury at the end of Spring Training, the Giants were still going to need a spot starter this week. It’s their first chunk of games (7!) without a break and it’s far too early in the season to juggle around starts and days of rest unless needed. April feels like a fine time to debut a now-shaky-yet-once-exciting pitching prospect.
The stakes aren’t exactly low — the Giants are desperate to regain relevance in the National League — but there’s also zero pressure on Beede to come out and be Tim Lincecum here.