My SF Giants have the third highest winning percentage in the entire MLB

[Brother Buzz]

Yet they're in third place in the National League (West). Go figure.

The San Diego Padres and the Los Angles Dodgers are on fire, Baby!

[True Dough]

1. Congratulations

on managing the Giants into third place, Brother Buzz! You're overperforming!

[Brother Buzz]

4. Gabe Kapler has me on Speed Dial, Baby!

We've hatched a cool plan for the four game series against the Dodgers, starting tomorrow.

My Magic 8-Ball isn't very optimistic.

[SallyHemmings]

2. Congrats!

I'm looking for my Phillies to engage in the basic fundamentals.



Cheers!

[FBaggins]

3. Three of the best teams in baseball all in the NL West

Can't remember the last time that happened.

The Giant's are the real surprise of the bunch. Everyone wondered whether the Padres could overtake the Dodgers this season and both teams had blockbuster offseasons... but I'm not sure many expected the Giants to even have a winning record.

[Brother Buzz]

5. One could make the argument Farhan Zaidi's flavor of Billy Ball Sabermetrics

is starting to pay dividends.

The Giants certainly have the talent. And if they can stay within striking distance, stay healthy, and peak in October, they COULD win the whole enchilada.

I know, wishful thinking.

[FBaggins]

6. I hope not

Of course... this Padres fan has been waiting for 40+ years.

[Brother Buzz]

8. Relax, it's just my wishful thinking

FWIW, I called it for the Padres before the Spring Training camps broke up. They are a force to reckon with.

After a shaky start, Tatís totally got his head back in the game, and the energy is palpable when Manny Machado steps up to the plate. The Padres are an exciting team to watch.

Oh, your Petco Park is a gem!

That being said, I would be very happy if the Giants ended the season in second place with the Dodgers in a distant third. Woohoo!

[Auggie]

7. We need maybe two or three batters to get and stay hot and another set-up reliever to emerge

Yaz, Dickerson and Belt, for example. As for relief, maybe it's Kazmir. Or Webb. That bullpen is SF's Achilles' Heel.

Kudos to Steven Duggar and Brandon Crawford who have reportedly worked their butts off to improve their at-bats.

[Brother Buzz]

9. Yaz is coming back after his injury and is starting to produce regularly

'Grandpa' Dickerson has his moments, but yeah, he needs to up his game.

I'm cold on Belt, and would choose to play Darin Ruf instead. Ruf totally demonstrated his potential when Belt was on IL. LOL, Kuiper or Krukow said Belt's 'left side tightness' mysteriously disappeared when he saw what Ruf was doing.

That bullpen does have some problems. How many games have the Giants lost deep in the game after having a commanding lead? At least three in ONE week, alone!

[Auggie]

10. I'm guessing four or five big leads that were blown

Belt got re-injured last night so you will indeed see Ruf for a few games.

Add Solano to that "need to get hot" list.

[Brother Buzz]

11. Solano is coming back from an injury, too

I'll give him a few games to reacquire his eye.

It's fun watching the Giants uber utility player, Mauricio Dubón play second base. He's a good candidate to attend Steven Duggar and Brandon Crawford's batting seminar (just an idea).

[Auggie]

12. Yep. Dubn's fielding impresses at second ...

his bat is showing a tad more life too. They're all working their butts off.

Looking ahead to 2022. I expect Posey and Crawford to get short-term offers if they're healthy. I'll be surprised if Belt is retained. When do we see Bart, Ramos and Hjelle?