[Giants]

The Giants and Dodgers are the only teams in their division with a winning record against teams with winning records. Giants are 21-20 vs. those teams, Dodgers are 15-14, Padres a lowly 15-21, D'Backs are 17-24. Rockies are just laughable, and after today's game vs. the Braves, the Giants have three against the Rockies.

Through a quirk of scheduling fate, the Giants have yet to play the Dodgers. Their first three games are in Chavez Ravine starting Friday 13th.

Giants need to step up their hitting. They're 20th in OPS+, 19th in runs per game at .411. They are below league average in every category except strikeouts, walks and triples.

Fielding-wise, they only slightly below MLB-average at -6Rtot, exactly league average at .986, and 49 double plays.

Pitching's the good news. Third in all of MLB with 3.43 ERA, even better news is lowest FIP (3.23). 8th lowest WHIP (1.197), 7th in most K's (567), 11th in walks, and have given up the fewest HRs (44). Only one balk all season, 8th most saves.

Where are the Giants strong and weak? Here is a position-by-position summary of WAR to date and where they stand in relation to all 30 MLB teams:

1st Relief Pitching
2nd Third base
9th Second base
9th Center Field
11th Left Field
17th Starting Pitching
17th Right field
19th Designated hitter
25th First base
27th Catcher
29th Shortstop

Would be nice if seven things happened:

1. Adames gets untracked. This is likely, historically speaking. His career splits are that he doesn't usually get untracked until July.
2. Dominic Smith (.286/.294/.357/.651) effectively replaces Wade. SFSG, he's okay. Did well in PCL at Scranton. He's okay, not great, but better than Wade. 
3. Bailey gets untracked offensively. Highly, highly unlikely. He typically breaks down over a year, 2nd half much worse than first half. Did better in May than April, but not by much. Defensively, he's killing it. Leads league in throwing out runners (30 assists), throwing out base stealers (41.2% almost twice league average of 23.5%) and Rtot (+6), zero passed balls, only three errors so far (.993).
4. Encarnacion becomes effective DH. Possible. Great hitting at Sacto (.348/.464/.696/1.160) but 0 for 11 for SFG. Just one strikeout, though. And he's just 27.
5. C. Knizner better than Huff. We'll see. Career .209 hitter, .594 OPS.  Hit .167 for Rangers last year. o for 6 so far.
6. Yaz untracks a bit more. .698 OPS+ right now, league average. His range factor in the field is way down at 1.85 (he led the league in 2020 and 2021), but his arm is still strong with 4 assists. 1 for 3 with a double and three RBIs yesterday.
7. Johnson contributes, even a little. Historically, he's not strong, .576 OPS in MLB, and he's at .438 now, though 3 for 16. Made a great running catch in CF, but historically not a strong fielder (.958).

Maybe it's time to bring Wade Meckler up. His splits are .343/.489/.457/.946 in Sacto. Subtract 100 points for the PCL/MLB divide, you still have a decent player.

Meckler has only played in ten games (45 PA’s).  I doubt that he would be considered for a promotion until he has substantially increased those numbers.  

For now, I think the plan is: “it is what it is” - count on the pitching staff to carry the load with the hitters contributing just enough production to scratch out close wins.  Once the calendar gets closer to the trade deadline (July 31) and everyone has a better understanding of their playoff aspirations, I think we will see some action re: improving the club’s offensive stats.  

As Posey said recently, when it comes to working with his colleagues on other teams, patience is necessary.  Acting rashly might make an immediate headline but there is strong possibility of the action having a detrimental impact in the long run.

[Giants]

The Giants and Dodgers are the only teams in their division with a winning record against teams with winning records. Giants are 21-20 vs. those teams, Dodgers are 15-14, Padres a lowly 15-21, D'Backs are 17-24. Rockies are just laughable, and after today's game vs. the Braves, the Giants have three against the Rockies.

Through a quirk of scheduling fate, the Giants have yet to play the Dodgers. Their first three games are in Chavez Ravine starting Friday 13th.

Giants need to step up their hitting. They're 20th in OPS+, 19th in runs per game at .411. They are below league average in every category except strikeouts, walks and triples.

Fielding-wise, they only slightly below MLB-average at -6Rtot, exactly league average at .986, and 49 double plays.

Pitching's the good news. Third in all of MLB with 3.43 ERA, even better news is lowest FIP (3.23). 8th lowest WHIP (1.197), 7th in most K's (567), 11th in walks, and have given up the fewest HRs (44). Only one balk all season, 8th most saves.

Where are the Giants strong and weak? Here is a position-by-position summary of WAR to date and where they stand in relation to all 30 MLB teams:

1st Relief Pitching
2nd Third base
9th Second base
9th Center Field
11th Left Field
17th Starting Pitching
17th Right field
19th Designated hitter
25th First base
27th Catcher
29th Shortstop

Would be nice if seven things happened:

1. Adames gets untracked. This is likely, historically speaking. His career splits are that he doesn't usually get untracked until July.
2. Dominic Smith (.286/.294/.357/.651) effectively replaces Wade. SFSG, he's okay. Did well in PCL at Scranton. He's okay, not great, but better than Wade. 
3. Bailey gets untracked offensively. Highly, highly unlikely. He typically breaks down over a year, 2nd half much worse than first half. Did better in May than April, but not by much. Defensively, he's killing it. Leads league in throwing out runners (30 assists), throwing out base stealers (41.2% almost twice league average of 23.5%) and Rtot (+6), zero passed balls, only three errors so far (.993).
4. Encarnacion becomes effective DH. Possible. Great hitting at Sacto (.348/.464/.696/1.160) but 0 for 11 for SFG. Just one strikeout, though. And he's just 27.
5. C. Knizner better than Huff. We'll see. Career .209 hitter, .594 OPS.  Hit .167 for Rangers last year. o for 6 so far.
6. Yaz untracks a bit more. .698 OPS+ right now, league average. His range factor in the field is way down at 1.85 (he led the league in 2020 and 2021), but his arm is still strong with 4 assists. 1 for 3 with a double and three RBIs yesterday.
7. Johnson contributes, even a little. Historically, he's not strong, .576 OPS in MLB, and he's at .438 now, though 3 for 16. Made a great running catch in CF, but historically not a strong fielder (.958).

Maybe it's time to bring Wade Meckler up. His splits are .343/.489/.457/.946 in Sacto. Subtract 100 points for the PCL/MLB divide, you still have a decent player.

Meckler has only played in ten games (45 PA’s).  I doubt that he would be considered for a promotion until he has substantially increased those numbers.  

For now, I think the plan is: “it is what it is” - count on the pitching staff to carry the load with the hitters contributing just enough production to scratch out close wins.  Once the calendar gets closer to the trade deadline (July 31) and everyone has a better understanding of their playoff aspirations, I think we will see some action re: improving the club’s offensive stats.  

As Posey said recently, when it comes to working with his colleagues on other teams, patience is necessary.  Acting rashly might make an immediate headline but there is strong possibility of the action having a detrimental impact in the long run.