GLENDALE, Ariz. – Spring training often brings bold proclamations from players who say they can better their output from the previous season.
Matt Cain knows there's no way for him to make any predictions and sound rational.
The right-hander is coming off a banner year that included a World Series title, an All-Star Game start and the first perfect game in franchise history.
"Yeah, a lot of things went really, really well last year," Cain said, smiling. "If you're trying to sit there and repeat all of that, it's just asking for a lot. Do you want to do it? Yeah. But realistically, I don't think you can be mad if you come up short."
Cain, who threw three innings in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox, has set a simpler goal for this season, his ninth in orange and black.
"I want to make all the starts," he said. "I want to throw as many innings or more than I did (last year)."
That may be difficult.
Including the postseason, Cain threw 249 1/3 innings last season, the most by a Giants pitcher since 1978. If he can throw at least 200 regular-season innings again, Cain will be the first Giant with seven consecutive 200-inning seasons since Juan Marichal's streak of 10 (1962-71).
Despite the heavy workload, Cain, who has transformed his body over the course of his career, said he didn't feel the need for extra rest this offseason. The routine was the same as always, even if it started later than usual because of the postseason.
"It definitely went by quick," Cain said of his offseason. "All of a sudden, you turn around, and you're working out again, but you're prepared for it."
Cain said topping last season will be tough, but there is one honor he will garner this season for the first time.
Cain already has been named the Opening Day starter, which made Monday's outing against the Chicago White Sox a strange one. Because Ryan Vogelsong is on a strict schedule to prepare for the World Baseball Classic, Cain was brought out of the bullpen for the first time since 2006. He gave up three hits and two runs in the fifth.
"I'm glad we let him start in the playoffs and didn't bring him out of the bullpen," manager Bruce Bochy joked.
Vogelsong was charged with three earned runs in three-plus innings in his final appearance before joining Team USA.
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