Stratton tossed three innings of shutout ball while giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three in Thursday's spring training loss to the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old is the front-runner to win the Giants' fourth starter job out of camp, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, and he reinforced his position with five scoreless innings through his first two spring starts. Stratton got a 10-start audition in the rotation last year and finished with a 3.68 ERA and a respectable 7.8 K/9. The downside was his inability to limit the free passes (4.3 BB/9), but if he can replicate his groundball tendencies (2.0 GB/FB ratio), then Stratton could provide value as a deep-league starter out of the gates pitching in the friendly confines of AT&T Park.

Stratton appears to be a favorite to break camp in the starting rotation to begin spring training, Chris Haft of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija have the top three spots on lockdown. That leaves two starting gigs for the taking, and it seems like Stratton and Ty Blach are the top two contenders to start. Others are in the mix, but the 27-year-old right-hander certainly showed promise in two big league stints thus far, producing a 3.67 ERA in 68.2 career innings in San Francisco. His control in the majors left something to be desired, but he still seems to have an inside track at a major-league job.

Stratton (4-4) earned the win over the Padres on Friday, allowing seven hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6.2 scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

This was a great way to close out the season for Stratton, who quietly had a strong second half for San Francisco; he posted a 2.59 ERA and averaged nearly a strikeout per inning after the All-Star break (48.2 innings). Stratton still puts too many runners on via the free pass, but he would seem to stand a decent chance to open next year in the rotation, even if the Giants add a starter in free agency this winter.

Stratton (3-4) lasted just four innings Sunday, surrendering three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two in a losing effort against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton struggled finishing off batters in this one, getting into deep counts and needing 84 pitches (50 strikes) to complete four frames. The rookie has produced mixed results as a starter, notching double-digit strikeouts in two outings while failing to top four in his remaining seven. Still, Stratton's 3.43 ERA in those nine starts should be enough to earn him a spot in the Giants' rotation next year. The 27-year-old's final start of 2017 will come in a favorable matchup against the Padres on Saturday, giving him streaming appeal for owners trying to make a final push in their fantasy playoffs.

Stratton (3-3) earned the win Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits across six innings against the Diamondbacks. He walked one and struck out four in the 7-2 victory.

EDGE Analysis

The reliever-turned-starter fared well against a potent Arizona offense, keeping it in check before the Giants' bullpen took over. Stratton will have his work cut out for him again in his next start, slated for Sunday against the Dodgers in Chavez Ravine.

Stratton recorded a single out on five pitches before a second rain delay ended his outing during Monday's win over the Dodgers. He didn't factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old righty entered with a 3.15 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 7.9 K/9 through his six starts this season, so it was unfortunate that the rain delays wiped out his outing. While Stratton's numbers have been solid in the majors, he posted an underwhelming 5.11 ERA over 15 starts with Triple-A Sacramento, so expectations should probably remain in check over the final weeks of the season. He also faces a tough upcoming schedule, as his next start projects to be against the Diamondbacks at home and then against the Dodgers on the road.

Stratton allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks across four innings in a no-decision Monday against the Rockies. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Stratton allowed a solo home run to Charlie Blackmon in the third inning before he was tagged for three runs on four hits and a walk in the fourth. He did induce six groundball outs, but he labored throughout the appearance and was removed after throwing 98 pitches to retire just 12 batters. Stratton previously had rattled off three consecutive quality starts -- including two scoreless appearances and two with 10 strikeouts -- but he struggled in a tough matchup Monday. He will look to get back on track Sunday against the White Sox.

Stratton will be available out of the bullpen this weekend, but if he is not used, he will start Monday's game in Colorado, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Giants have a quasi six-man rotation set up, but Stratton is not a lock to get a turn this time around, given that he will be in the bullpen for the final two games of this weekend's series against the Cardinals. He was scratched from Saturday's start in order for Madison Bumgarner (illness) to return Sunday.

Stratton was scratched from his expected start against the Cardinals on Saturday, while Jeff Samardzija takes his place, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

There doesn't appear to be any injury concern for Stratton, but the club is likely moving Stratton from his start in order to get Madison Bumgarner (illness) on the mound for the series finale Sunday. Although the club stated that a six-man rotation will go into effect, there hasn't been a set date for Stratton's next outing at this point in time. If the Giants do indeed move forward with six starting pitchers, the right-hander will likely toe the rubber in Colorado next week.

Stratton will stick in the rotation with the Giants deploying a six-man rotation once Johnny Cueto (forearm) returns Friday, MLB.com's Chris Haft reports.

EDGE Analysis

The was a risk that either Stratton or Ty Blach could be demoted from the starting rotation to make room for Cueto, but the last-place Giants decided to keep both of their rookies around for further evaluation heading into the 2018 season. The 27-year-old has excelled as a starter with a 2.67 ERA over five starts, including a pair of 10-strikeout performances over his last three appearances. Stratton will take the hill Saturday at home against the Cardinals.