The Giants are slated to face three left-handed starters during their opening series against the Dodgers, including veteran ace Clayton Kershaw on Opening Day.\n\nThat bodes well for right-handed hitters like
“Obviously, I like hitting lefties,” Slater said in a recent Zoom call with reporters. “I like to think I'm pretty good at it. Decent track record, but it's something that we'll address once we get closer.”\n\nSlater, 27, is among the players who could stand to benefit the most from the Giants' move toward positional flexibility and versatility under president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. Slater can play all three outfield positions and took grounders at all four infield spots during Spring Training, which will make it easier for Kapler to get him into the lineup during the regular season.\n\nSlater posted an .838 OPS against lefties in 2019, making him a good counter to Alex Dickerson in the outfield or Brandon Belt at first base this year. The Stanford product said he hasn’t minded toting around a collection of gloves and being prepared to play anywhere around the diamond.\n\n“It's guys just being baseball players,” Slater said. “I think guys are able to round out their game and not be so narrowed in on one specific position. It helps you understand the game. It helps the team. I think it creates an atmosphere of a better team culture, where it's, ‘We're going to do whatever it takes to win today.’\n\n“It's exciting. I enjoy it. It adds a little twist every day when you come to the ballpark.”\n\n**Short work expected for starters**\n\nProjected starters