Breakdown by unit
Closer Will Smith, left, has been automatic, but core players Brandon Crawford, right, Joe Panik and Buster Posey have struggled.
Here’s a unitbyunit breakdown of the Giants’ first half, including the team’s three biggest ups and downs:
Unit reports
Lineup: The Giants have been a stationtostation team in what promises to be another record year for home runs, so that’s not good and explains why they rank near the bottom of the league in every key statistic. Not one hitter has gotten hot for an extended period, and sagging numbers for older core players such as Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, Evan Longoria and Joe Panik do not bode well. But the Giants are trending upward. Their OPS has risen each month, from .622 in March/ April to .683 in May, .701 in June and .877 over the first six games in July. Rotation: The starters’ 4.99 firsthalf ERA “surpassed” only Colorado’s 5.57 for worst in the NL. The Giants had to scramble when Dereck Rodriguez fell into a sophomore slump and their two freeagent signees, Derek Holland and Drew Pomeranz, largely failed. Jeff Samardzija and Madison Bumgarner have become solid anchors, though, and rookies Shaun Anderson and Tyler Beede have provided a nice lift. Still, the staff ’s percentage of quality starts (at least six innings, three or fewer earned runs) fell from 45% last year to 33%. Bullpen: Sam Dyson, Tony Watson and “Mr. Perfect” Will Smith have been as good as any backend trio in the majors. If they were around in 2016, the club might have enjoyed a fourth parade. The Giants would not have anything close to 41 wins without them. The team’s 393 record when leading or tied after seven innings speaks for itself. Reyes Moronta remains reliable, and newcomer Trevor Gott was steady until a recent slump. Mark Melancon has contributed some but owns a ghastly WHIP (1.63) and has surrendered too many big hits to consider a role befitting his salary. Defense: Led by Posey, whose work behind the plate remains elite, the defense has been terrific. Kevin Pillar has done fine work at two outfield positions, Brandon Belt remains Gold Gloveworthy, and even if Longoria and Crawford have lost some range, they remain two of the pitching staff ’s best friends. Pablo Sandoval still can make those “how did he do that?” plays. If Steven Duggar returns from the minors and recaptures a starting job, the outfield defense will look even better.
Three up
1. Bruce Bochy: The 64yearold manager has maintained his drive to win and sense of humor in trying times while soaking in the experience of running this team one final time. 2. Farm system: It’s not yet elite, but rising. Several minorleaguers helped the big club in the first half, and the Giants seem to have the TripleA depth to replace traded or injured players in a positive way. 3. Will Smith: The dude is automatic. You almost miss the cardiac saves from closers past like Brian Wilson, Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla. Almost.
Three down
1. Core struggles: Posey, Crawford and Panik have some of the worst parkadjusted OPS numbers in the league, and it’s fair to wonder whether these older players in a younger man’s power game can be big offensive contributors again. 2. Attendance: The Giants are averaging 6,000 fewer fans per game, officially, without counting an everlarger number of noshows. Not surprising, but the vast expanse of empty seats some nights is not a good look. 3. Free agents: Farhan Zaidi signed three players for the bigleague roster: Holland, Pomeranz and switchpitcher Pat Venditte. Holland and Pomeranz have the team’s worst ERAs among pitchers with more than 10 innings, and Venditte has spent all but three days this season in the minors.
Injury report
RHP Johnny Cueto: His recovery from Tommy John surgery has been smooth, and he could start a few games for the Giants in September after rehabbing in August. LHP Travis Bergen: A shoulder injury will keep the Rule 5 reliever out indefinitely. RHP Nick Vincent: Like Bergen, the club has no idea when his fellow reliever will return from a pectoral strain.