Much better

SFG 7  NYM 2

The Mets spent a lot of money in the off-season and beefed up their roster. Their payroll is north of $350M and since Steve Cohen bought the team in 2020 their only competitors in spending have been the Yankees and the Dodgers. The Giants will spend about $220M. That's around 12th place. They are above the middle but not in the top third.

I only bring that up because in the early going the highly-touted Mets are 3-4 and have scored 25 runs. The Giants have scored 21 runs and are also 3-4 (both teams have allowed 27 runs). It was nice to see that the home squad could put a whuppin' on a fancy-pants outfit from the Big Apple. I know it's only one game but I like the way it went. 

Robbie Ray, who I think always looks shaky, looked shaky in the first two frames. He settled in after giving up two runs and put up zeros into the 6th. Meanwhile the Giants tagged Mets pitchers for 13 hits including a double by Matt Chapman, a triple by Luis Arráez, and a homer (his first) by Rafael Devers. Rookie Daniel Susac, making his ML debut behind the plate, had three hits and a walk. Casey Schmitt, batting ninth, also had three hits.

That's all good stuff but I'm giving the game ball to The Tennessee Kid, Blade Tidwell, who pitched three scoreless in relief to log a save. Tidwell came to SF in the Tyler Rogers trade. He did not break camp with the team but was recalled to take José Buttó's spot. Buttó was also acquired in the Rogers trade. He went on the 15-day IL after his rough outing in San Diego.

Looks like FNG veteran Tyler Mahle is lined up for tomorrow night (7:15 PT) and will face young Nolan McLean, the phenom who pitched for Team USA. McLean will be making only his tenth career start.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

That was ugly

SD 7  SF 1

Adrian Houser deserved better. And I can't explain four hits and fourteen strikeouts!! The lineup was overwhelmed once again. That's four losses with two runs scored. Return of the Son of Bleah.

Good thing there are 156 games left.

It's the Mets at home tomorrow night (6:45 Pacific) and Robbie Ray gets the start.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Giants get a big win

SF 9  SD 3

It was a weird and ugly start for Logan Webb who walked FOUR guys! Webb walked 46 guys last year and 50 the year before. He averages fewer than two bases on balls per start. He also got trashed for three runs in the 3rd but hung on to finish six and get yet another quality start (103rd of his career). He retired the final ten batters in a row. JT Brubaker and José Buttó continued the excellent work from the 'pen and put up zeroes the rest of the way.

But the big star was Willy Adames who led off the game with a homer and added three more hits, scoring twice and driving in two. The whole lineup joined the fun with 16 hits, at least one for every player. Jung Hoo Lee had a big night as well with two doubles and three RBI. Jared Oliva stole a base (pinch-running) and wound up scoring later. It was 8-3 in the 9th and that would have raised hackles in the opposing dugout "back in the day." It seems like no one cares about that stuff anymore and that's good. The point of the game is to compete and score runs.

This afternoon (1:10 PT) will give Adrian Houser his first start. Let's go for a sweep!

--M.C.

Giant get first win

SF 3  SD 2

An excellent start from Landen Roupp got things going last night in San Diego. Roupp allowed only two hits and two walks in six frames (88 pitches) and whiffed seven. Strong relief from Matt Gage and a dominant Keaton Winn (three strikeouts) kept the shutout alive until the 9th. Meanwhile FNG Harrison Bader hit a solo homer in the 3rd and two clutch, two-out RBI hits from Patrick Bailey and Casey Schmitt in the 4th gave the Giants a three-run lead. Closer Ryan Walker was wild in the 9th and gave up a two-run homer before getting the final out.

It was a squeaker but the Giants prevailed and finally notched a win for 2026. So far the best thing about the team has been relief pitching. Let's hope the bats wake up soon. I'm guessing they'll use Logan Webb for the start tonight (6:40 PDT) and debut FNG Adrian Houser for tomorrow's game.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Son of Bleah

NYY 3  SF 1

After getting shut out 3-0 on Friday (on one hit) the Giants made it a little more competitive today. The result was the same, however. The Yankees complete the sweep and make it an 0-3 start for TonyV's boys. Heliot Ramos, I'd like to point out, has looked really sharp. He's had good at-bats (his was the lone hit on Friday) and has done his job in the field. Otherwise it is pretty damn bleak (.143/.212/.176).

This team should be better! It's time to start hitting. At least the bullpen has looked good.

In a weird schedule twist, the Giants are off tomorrow. (Maybe they should take some BP.) The next game is Monday night in San Diego at 6:40 Pacific.

--M.C.

Bleah

NYY 7  SF 0

It was a shitty debut for the 2026 Giants. The Yankees were all over Logan Webb. And the lineup was feeble (2 hits) against Max Fried. But the bullpen (Keaton Winn, JT Brubaker, and Caleb Kilian) was excellent. And FNG Luis Arráez had a good night with a leadoff walk, a late base hit, and some nice glove work. Aaron Judge (0-for-5) struck out four times, all three against Webb* and one against Winn. Camilo Doval finished the game.

Tomorrow is an off-day. Robbie Ray will get the start on Friday afternoon at 1:35 Pacific.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

 

*1,000 career strikeouts for Webb 

26 for 2026

No surprises on the infield (4): Rafael Devers at 1B, Luis Arraez at 2B, Willy Adames at SS, and Matt Chapman at 3B. This is the heart of the team. They have to be healthy and perform for this club to succeed.

Patrick Bailey is the catcher (2) and his backup is Daniel Susac.

The outfield (3) will be Jung Hoo Lee, Harrison Bader, and Heliot Ramos.  

On the bench (4) are Casey Schmitt, Jerar Encarnación, Christian Koss, and (surprise!) Jared Oliva.

The starting rotation (5) is set: Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Adrian Houser, Tyler Mahle, and Landen Roupp.

The bullpen (8) will be Ryan Walker, Erik Miller, José Buttó, Caleb Killian, Matt Gage, Keaton Winn, Ryan Borucki, and JT Brubaker.

4 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 8 = 26

The Giants open the season for all of MLB tonight (5:05 Pacific) in San Francisco against the Yankees. Logan Webb gets the ball.

Go, team!

--M.C.

 

p.s. There is a lot of talent at AAA: Bryce Eldridge, Carson Seymour, Carson Whisenhunt, Blade Tidwell, Tyler Fitzgerald, Grant McCray, Will Brennan, Drew Gilbert, Tristan Beck, Trevor McDonald, Spencer Bivens, Will Bednar, Caleb Killian, etc. We'll be seeing some of these guys when the inevitable injuries occur.