PHOENIX - A few weeks ago, Nick Hundley said he preferred not to talk about his future until the end of the season. We're close enough, so after hitting the go-ahead homer Monday night, Hundley was again asked about his 2018 plans. He smiled.
"How many have we got left? Five?" he said. "Ask me Sunday."
It's not just the media and fans seeking an answer from the popular backup who has nine homers. The Giants hope to get some feel from Hundley as they finalize offseason plans, and manager Bruce Bochy said he would talk to the veteran this week. Bochy left no doubt about what he hopes will happen.
"I think he knows what we think of him," he said.
Hundley, a 34-year-old who came over in the offseason, has been one of the few overachievers this season. He has 32 extra-base hits in 274 at-bats, taking advantage of increased time with Brandon Belt done for the year and Buster Posey sliding over to first base. Hundley is one of the lineup's more potent right-handed options, and he has earned praise from the starting staff. Johnny Cueto said Hundley helped him navigate a post-clinch Diamondbacks lineup that was essentially pulled straight out of Triple-A.
Cueto did so with ease, striking out eight in six innings. He evened his record at 8-8, and he'll have a chance to clinch a winning season on Sunday. Bochy said Cueto will start the final game of the season, and he confirmed that Matt Cain will start either Friday or Saturday. Asked for more details, the manager kept it just as mysterious as his catcher.
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"I'll let you know tomorrow," he said.
