Bye-bye BoMel

In keeping with the old baseball adage "ya gotta blame somebody!" Giants PoBO Buster Posey fired manager Bob Melvin. Earlier in the year it was reported that the Giants had picked up Melvin's option for 2026. I thought that meant they were giving him one more go-round. Apparently not! Matt Williams (third base) and Ryan Christenson (bench coach) are gone as well. Could be more coaching shake-ups to come.

Buster doesn't like to mess around. He's not very patient. I suppose if you are Rookie of the Year and win the World Series in your first season in the majors you develop a NOW mentality. Buster wants to win NOW.

This team should have done better. I suppose changing the skipper is one way to address that. Posey has made his impact on the team with the big free agent signing of Willy Adames and the blockbuster mid-season trade for Rafael Devers. Now he gets to hand-pick his manager. I'm insanely curious! Who does he think will do a better job?

The Twins fired their manager (Rocco Baldelli), too.

--M.C.

#81, #30, and #15

SF 4  COL 0

The Giants get their 81st win and thus avoid a losing season. It's not a winning season, of course. But it's not a losing season, either! That's something at least.

Willy Adames gave the home crowd a thrill with a leadoff homer. Nice move by BoMel to put him in the first slot. The home run was his 30th and that breaks the infamous team-wide 30-homer drought. Barry Bonds hit 45 in 2004 and that's the last time a Giants player has cracked the 30 mark. Brandon Belt had 29 in 97 games in 2021. Matt Chapman had 27 last year.

Logan Webb started but was pulled after 5-1/3 innings. The team hung on to complete the shutout and Webb got his 15th win for the season. That matches his career high from 2022. Webb finishes with 207 IP, the most in MLB (Garret Crochet had 205-1/3). He also has the most starts (34) and is tied with Crochet and Christopher Sánchez for the most Quality Starts (22). He struck out a career-high 224 which trails only Crochet (255) and Tarik Skubal (241) for the MLB lead (it's the most in the NL).

Spencer Bivens earned the save with two hitless innings. He gave up a walk in the 8th but struck out the side in the 9th. He entered with a 2-0 lead and the Giants got two more in the 9th. That's two saves this weekend for Bivens and 53 appearances (79 IP) overall. He's got some gnarly-looking stuff and it looks like he'll be in the mix for a high-leverage role in 2026. 

Here are the Giants W-L records for the last four seasons (since they won 107 and the West in 2021): 81-81 in 2022, 79-83 in 2023, 80-82 last year, and 81-81 this year. I think that is the very definition of "mediocrity." At least they aren't the Rockies! Anyway, it would be nice to see this group win some games next season. There's enough talent to compete with teams like the Reds, the Mets, the Cardinals, and the Diamondbacks. The five-way scrum for the final Wild Card ended up with the Giants on the bottom! They were a better team than that and should have finished strong with a real shot at the post-season.

There will be plenty to talk about in the off-season, of course. We'll get around to it, I'm sure. In the meantime I will root for Milwaukee to go all the way. How can you not root for a club called the BREWERS? If not them then someone like Cleveland or Seattle.

Thanks for reading along,

 --M.C.

#80

SF 4  COL 3

The Giants tried hard to lose today but they couldn't quite get that done and wound up winning their 80th game. They only had four hits so they had to make them count. Casey Schmitt hit a three-run homer in the 2nd (his 12th) and Rafael Devers added an RBI double in the 8th. That was the difference. Ryan Walker came in to save the 4-2 lead and gave up a solo homer and then got into a mess. Spencer Bivens bailed him out. Matt Chapman made a great play to end the game--the Rockies had loaded the bases and were poised to spoil the afternoon.

Justin Verlander bounced back from his lousy start last time out and delivered a quality six frames with seven whiffs. Both runs he allowed were on solo homers. Joel Peguero and Tristan Beck followed with a scoreless inning apiece.

Tomorrow Logan Webb takes the hill (12:05 PT). He's looking for win number 15. We are all looking for Willy Adames to hit his 30th homer.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

#79

SF 6  COL 3

Trevor McDonald pitched well in his last start (against the Dodgers in LA) and followed that up with another strong effort last night. He powered through seven frames on 89 pitches, whiffing ten and walking none against five hits. One of the hits was a three-run homer, but other than that he did great. The Giants will need to beef up the rotation for 2026--maybe McDonald will be part of that.

Willy Adames was the Willie Mac Award winner and he chipped in homer number 29 in the 1st inning. Everyone is rooting for him to get number 30 this weekend.

Ryan Walker pitched the 9th and got his 17th save. He's another guy the Giants really need! Heliot Ramos hit homer number 21 and Jung Hoo Lee nabbed his 12th triple. Matt Chapman got his 1000th career hit.

Today's game is at 1:05. Go Giants!

--M.C.

Giants hang on for a win

 SF 4  STL 3

The Giants were eliminated after their loss on Tuesday. That loss also meant they could only win 81 games. Last night's win was number 78, they'll avoid a losing season only by sweeping the upcoming weekend set with the Rockies.

Robbie Ray was shut down for the season and did not make his final start. Coming back from surgery and throwing 182 innings (32 starts) was a good season's effort, it's reasonable to err on the side of caution. Ideally he'll be healthy next year and be able to work at the top of the rotation. FanGraphs rates his 2025 at 2.2 WAR, Baseball-Reference says 2.8 WAR.

The Giants have been rumored to have interest in Cardinals starter Sonny Gray who threw six innings last night and managed his 14th Quality Start. Ray finishes with 16, Logan Webb is tied with the Phillies Christopher Sanchez and the Red Sox Garret Crochet for the MLB lead with 22. I thought Tuesday would be Webb's last start but he's listed for Sunday. That would be the fifth day for him (four days rest) so he'll get another shot at 15 wins to tie his career high.

Friday's game is 7:15, Saturday 1:05, and Sunday at 12:05 (PT). Go Giants!

--M.C.

Giants win, finally

SF 3  LA 1

The Giants eked out the slimmest of victories today in the finale at Dodger Stadium. A three-run rally in the 8th against Blake Treinen erased a 1-0 deficit and the bullpen held on for the much-needed win. A terrific effort (6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 W, 3K) from Trevor McDonald gave the Giants a fighting chance. McDonald was a 2019 high school draft pick (11th round) from Mississippi. He pitched a few innings in 2023 and 2024 but this was his first start. Maybe the 24-year old will be in the rotation mix next season. Earlier this year Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs rated him the Giants #5 prospect (Bryce Eldridge was #1 and Carson Whisenhunt #2).

The 77-79 Giants return home for their final six games. They have an outside shot at 82 wins. The first three are against the Cardinals, Monday through Wednesday evenings at 6:45 PT. It looks like Justin Verlander tomorrow followed by Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. Those will be the final starts of the year for Webb and Ray. The Rockies come to town for the weekend (Thursday is an off-day). Friday we'll probably see Kai-Wei Teng and on Saturday we'll get another look at McDonald (I hope). Sunday could be another chance for JV to burnish his off-season credentials. Buster Posey has already said he'd like to re-sign the veteran righty for 2026.

--M.C.

Beat LA

Logan Webb didn't fare very well against the Dodgers the last time out. Neither did Robbie Ray. The Giants two best pitchers got clobbered in the last series. That's got to change this time out. You figure to win at least one of the games that your top-of-the-rotation guys start, right? Right now Justin Verlander is the best pitcher on the staff! He's thrown 31 innings over his last five starts and has allowed just three runs. In fact he's only allowed three hits. He's walked twelve guys (vs. 28 strikeouts), but I think that's because he'd rather put them on in a 3-ball count than groove one. He doesn't have the big heat anymore so he can't just blow people away. He has to pitch. The win at home against the Dodgers was a Verlander start. Dave Roberts, who I normally think well of, seemed rather snide to me in his post-game comments about how much Verlander was throwing his curveball. As if it matters how you get people out!

Just get 'em out, baby!

It's Webb and Yamamoto tonight in LA at 7:10 PT.

--M.C. 

Giants Slam Dodgers

SF 5  LA 1 (10)

The Giants got a hit in the 1st inning, a double by Willy Adames, and that scored Rafael Devers who had walked. Devers scored on a bobble by Andy Pages in centerfield so there was no RBI. That was their only hit until Devers singled in the 9th. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was dealing, but Giants stater Justin Verlander matched zeros with him until the 7th when Michael Conforto's homer tied the game at 1-1.

In the 9th a Mookie Betts error and the Devers hit put a runner at third base with one out. Pinch-runner Grant McCray was unfortunately thrown out at the plate by CF Pages on a very short sac fly attempt from Wilmer Flores. McCray returned the favor, throwing out the Manfred Man (Ben Rortvedt) on a Betts sac fly attempt to RF in the 10th. The game featured some nice defense by both clubs even though LA was dinged for two errors.

With one out in the 10th Jung Hoo Lee worked a walk against Tanner Scott. An IBB to load the bases followed and that brought up Patrick Bailey. Batting righty against the southpaw he laser-beamed the first pitch, a high heater, over the LF wall for a walk-off grand slam.

The 75-72 Giants are now a half-game behind the 76-72 Mets for the final Wild Card spot. Logan Webb goes today against Clayton Kershaw (6:05 PT).

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Giants subdue Snakes

SF 5  ARI 3

Robbie Ray labored (95 pitches) through five innings but he kept the ball in the park and only walked two and that was enough. Willy Adames hit a three-run homer in the 1st and the bullpen held off the Diamondbacks for the final three frames and nailed down the win. Patrick Bailey hit a homer in the 5th. It was a workmanlike win and kept the Giants in the hunt for the Wild Card.

Today's game is at 12:45 and Carson Seymour gets the call. Tomorrow is an off-day and then the Dodgers will be in town over the weekend for a three-game set.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

8th inning: 12-6

Last night was game 144, the end of the 8th seasonal inning.  

1st inning: 13-5

2nd inning: 9-9

3rd inning: 9-9

4th inning: 10-8

5th inning: 7-11 

6th inning: 6-12 

7th inning: 7-11

8th inning: 12-6

73-71 (.507), 3rd place, 7 GB

 

Logan Webb struck out seven in six innings to bring his yearly total to 201, the first time he's topped that figure. He struck out 194 in 2023. He also logged his 14th win, one shy of his career high of 15 in 2022. The Giants rediscovered their big bashing ways last night. They hit five homers and shoved past the Diamondbacks (SF 11  AZ 5) for their 73rd win. It was a bit of an ugly game as three of Webb's runs were unearned as was one of Arizona reliever Brandyn Garcia's (who got the loss).

Jung Hoo Lee had three hits including a two-run homer. He's now slashing .271/.332/.420 with 30 doubles, 11 triples, and 8 home runs. He rates 2.2 bWAR and 2.8 fWAR.

18 games left. Robbie Ray at 6:40 tonight.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Back to Earth

After scoring 94 runs in 12 games and going 11-1, the Giants scored five runs in the final two games in St. Louis and went 0-2.

My goal for this year is 82 wins. 82 wins. I want to see 82 wins. There are 19 games left, 12 at home and 7 on the road. They have to go 10-9 to get to 82 wins.

The Arizona Diamondbacks come to San Francisco for three starting tomorrow night at 6:45 PT. Should be Logan Webb for the opener.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

The Beat Goes On

SF 8   STL 2

The barrage of hits continued tonight in Busch Stadium with a total of 18. That's five games in a row with double-digit hits. Rafael Devers and Willy Adames went back-to-back homers in the 1st and that's 18 games in a row with a home run. Lots of folks chipped in including Jung Hoo Lee who had four hits and his 11th triple.

But the big news is that Carson Seymour threw five solid innings (two hits, one run) for his first major league win. Seymour was originally a Mets prospect who came to San Francisco in 2022 with J.D. Davis in the Darin Ruf trade.

The Giants have now won five in a row and 11 of 12. They've surged into 3rd place (72-69) in the West and are a mere four back in the Wild Card. Lots of things would have to go right over the next 21 games for the Giants to make the post-season but at least they are playing good ball and look like a serious club. I just hope they hang on and finish with a .500+ record.

Tomorrow's game is on Fox at 4:15 Pacific. Justin Verlander takes the hill.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

On to St. Louis

SF 10   COL 8

The Rockies may stink but it still isn't easy to sweep a series in Coors Field. It's a big ballpark in the high, dry, thin air and crazy shit always happens. And Colorado has some good players like that catcher I mentioned before Hunter Goodman. He hit another late homer to make things close. But the Giants held on to win and take all three contests. Scoring ten runs is usually a good way to win, but even then the Giants had to use their closer (Ryan Walker) to get it done.

Matt Chapman had a big game with two homers (three hits total) and four driven in. With Rafael Devers and Willy Adames flashing big power it seems Chappie had to keep up. Man, if these three guys could stay together for a whole season they could really kick ass! 

Tomorrow is an off-day and then it is three against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Friday night at 5:15 PT I think it will be Carson Seymour. Saturday is a Fox game at 4:15 PT and it is Justin Verlander's turn. Sunday morning's getaway game is listed at 11:15 PT and RosterResource says it will be Kai-Wei Teng.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Logan likes the long ball

SF 7  COL 4

The Giants slugged four homers and kept a lid on the Rockies to notch their 9th win in their last 10 games. Logan Webb got dinged for seven hits (all singles) and also yielded two walks in his five frames. The pesky Rockies made him throw 94 pitches but luck was on his side and he got his 13th win behind seven strikeouts and two double plays. José Buttó gave up a two-run homer to Colorado's impressive young catcher Hunter Goodman in the 7th to make it close. Joey Lucchesi and Ryan Walker finished things.

Rafael Devers hit his 30th in the 1st, a two-run moonshot, and starter Kyle Freeland took exception to his nonchalant saunter to first base. A baseball brawl ensued. Freeland was ejected as were the next two hitters, Willy Adames and Matt Chapman. The rest of the game was regular baseball. Baseball "fights" are stupid. I figure words were exchanged yesterday and that's why things exploded so quickly tonight. No one wants to lose 100 games in front of their fans. By the way Wilmer Flores, Casey Schmitt, and Patrick Bailey were the other three guys who hit home runs tonight.

That was the 70th win of the season for the Giants and they are now 70-69. That's the first time they've been over .500 since August 9th when they were 59-58.

Robbie Ray tomorrow at 5:40 PT.

Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Big win to start September

SF 8  COL 2

The Giants have discovered how to win baseball games in bunches. It's too bad they didn't figure this out sooner, but it's fun to see them playing like they ought to be playing!

This afternoon in Denver the Giants battered the hapless Rockies for the home squad's 99th loss. Can you imagine being a fan of that club? This will be the third straight season they will lose 100 games.

Our Big Money Boys—Rafael Devers and Willy Adames—both homered today and both are playing like Big Money Boys need to play. Young Drew Gilbert, he of the Tyler Rogers trade haul, had another big game going 4-for-4 with his first ML homer. Keep him in the #9 spot! The former first-rounder is serving notice.

Kai-Wei Teng finally got it together and used his strikeout stuff to survive in Coors Field. He's a weird one. It's hard to pin down what kind of pitcher he is. He's got a kitchen sink worth of pitches and had crazy K-numbers with the River Cats. Joel Peguero bailed out Teng after 5-1/3 IP and Keaton Winn took the last two innings. The Rockies had 13 hits but nine were singles and the rest were doubles. They were 2-for-12 with RISP and hit into three DPs. The Giants were 4-for-8 with RISP and of course hit the three big ones.

The next two games are at 5:40 PT. We should see Logan Webb and Robbie Ray.

Go Giants!

--M.C.