[Mick]

Using the most sophisticated analytics available (2023-79 wins, 2024-80 wins, 2025-81 wins), my prediction is (drumroll .........): 2026-82 wins.

Sounds like wild, unaccounted-for optimism to me...

---

Austin Slater released (at his request) from his minor league contract with Detroit.  He is now a free agent.

Slater was signed by the Marlins because Kyle Stowers (among others) was recently hurt. Didn’t know he was a Florida native.

Slater in Miami

I always liked Austin, hope this works out for him. Always wondered how he would have turned out as a healthy everyday player.

---

Here are the final predictions for this season:

Mick-  94
Giants-  85
BobK-  87
Leftcoast-  85
Phogge-  92
triangle2-  86
pefloresjr-  90
skip-  82

Let’s revisit the numbers at the all-star break…

Hopefully not too late to play. Knee replacement surgery two days ago, and struggling a bit. Didn't even realize the season started. I'll go with 83, after last season's disappointment. . . .

Good luck on your recovery! KRS is no fun...

[Mick]

Using the most sophisticated analytics available (2023-79 wins, 2024-80 wins, 2025-81 wins), my prediction is (drumroll .........): 2026-82 wins.

Sounds like wild, unaccounted-for optimism to me...

---

Austin Slater released (at his request) from his minor league contract with Detroit.  He is now a free agent.

Slater was signed by the Marlins because Kyle Stowers (among others) was recently hurt. Didn’t know he was a Florida native.

Slater in Miami

I always liked Austin, hope this works out for him. Always wondered how he would have turned out as a healthy everyday player.

---

Here are the final predictions for this season:

Mick-  94
Giants-  85
BobK-  87
Leftcoast-  85
Phogge-  92
triangle2-  86
pefloresjr-  90
skip-  82

Let’s revisit the numbers at the all-star break…

Hopefully not too late to play. Knee replacement surgery two days ago, and struggling a bit. Didn't even realize the season started. I'll go with 83, after last season's disappointment. . . .

Good luck on your recovery! KRS is no fun...

[Mick]

Your 2026 San Francisco Giants…

Oliva 

Just what we predicted prior to the beginning of spring training, right?  ;)

Only one player has no MLB experience - Susac.

Jared Oliva's father was SCU's best player my first two years there. Same kind of player as Jared (who attended UofArizona). Advanced as far as AA ball, then joined the LA Sheriff's Dept. Doing good work as a Lt. in the human trafficking department.

Personally, I both expected and wanted Matos, but...there you go.

[Mick]

Your 2026 San Francisco Giants…

Oliva 

Just what we predicted prior to the beginning of spring training, right?  ;)

Only one player has no MLB experience - Susac.

Jared Oliva's father was SCU's best player my first two years there. Same kind of player as Jared (who attended UofArizona). Advanced as far as AA ball, then joined the LA Sheriff's Dept. Doing good work as a Lt. in the human trafficking department.

Personally, I both expected and wanted Matos, but...there you go.

[old spanish trail]

Ooops, missed this. May I jump in with same as last year's overly optimistic guess...92?

[old spanish trail]

Ooops, missed this. May I jump in with same as last year's overly optimistic guess...92?

[Papa John]

My two favorite teams are the Royals (since I became a baseball fan around the age of 9) and the Giants (since I started attending Stanford as a 17 year-old). Collectively through Friday, they have scored zero runs.

[Papa John]

My two favorite teams are the Royals (since I became a baseball fan around the age of 9) and the Giants (since I started attending Stanford as a 17 year-old). Collectively through Friday, they have scored zero runs.

[Giants]

Ooops, missed this. May I jump in with same as last year's overly optimistic guess...92?

Yep. We are accepting entrants until the moment SF scores their first run of the season. :)

[Giants]

Ooops, missed this. May I jump in with same as last year's overly optimistic guess...92?

Yep. We are accepting entrants until the moment SF scores their first run of the season. :)

[Mick]

Ooops, missed this. May I jump in with same as last year's overly optimistic guess...92?

Yep. We are accepting entrants until the moment SF scores their first run of the season. :)

Might be a while...

[Mick]

Ooops, missed this. May I jump in with same as last year's overly optimistic guess...92?

Yep. We are accepting entrants until the moment SF scores their first run of the season. :)

Might be a while...

[cardcrimson]

Using the most sophisticated analytics available (2023-79 wins, 2024-80 wins, 2025-81 wins), my prediction is (drumroll .........): 2026-82 wins.

Sounds like wild, unaccounted-for optimism to me...

---

Austin Slater released (at his request) from his minor league contract with Detroit.  He is now a free agent.

Slater was signed by the Marlins because Kyle Stowers (among others) was recently hurt. Didn’t know he was a Florida native.

Slater in Miami

I always liked Austin, hope this works out for him. Always wondered how he would have turned out as a healthy everyday player.

---

Here are the final predictions for this season:

Mick-  94
Giants-  85
BobK-  87
Leftcoast-  85
Phogge-  92
triangle2-  86
pefloresjr-  90
skip-  82

Let’s revisit the numbers at the all-star break…

Hopefully not too late to play. Knee replacement surgery two days ago, and struggling a bit. Didn't even realize the season started. I'll go with 83, after last season's disappointment. . . .

Good luck on your recovery! KRS is no fun...

Thanks. Day Zero and Day One were great. Day Two felt like my leg was run over by a truck. Day Three a little better, though my leg looks like a sausage on grill that's about to burst. . . .

As for the Giants, four hits in two games. Impressive!

[cardcrimson]

Using the most sophisticated analytics available (2023-79 wins, 2024-80 wins, 2025-81 wins), my prediction is (drumroll .........): 2026-82 wins.

Sounds like wild, unaccounted-for optimism to me...

---

Austin Slater released (at his request) from his minor league contract with Detroit.  He is now a free agent.

Slater was signed by the Marlins because Kyle Stowers (among others) was recently hurt. Didn’t know he was a Florida native.

Slater in Miami

I always liked Austin, hope this works out for him. Always wondered how he would have turned out as a healthy everyday player.

---

Here are the final predictions for this season:

Mick-  94
Giants-  85
BobK-  87
Leftcoast-  85
Phogge-  92
triangle2-  86
pefloresjr-  90
skip-  82

Let’s revisit the numbers at the all-star break…

Hopefully not too late to play. Knee replacement surgery two days ago, and struggling a bit. Didn't even realize the season started. I'll go with 83, after last season's disappointment. . . .

Good luck on your recovery! KRS is no fun...

Thanks. Day Zero and Day One were great. Day Two felt like my leg was run over by a truck. Day Three a little better, though my leg looks like a sausage on grill that's about to burst. . . .

As for the Giants, four hits in two games. Impressive!

[BostonCard]

Well, the Giants scored so I guess the competition is over.

BC

[BostonCard]

Well, the Giants scored so I guess the competition is over.

BC

[Giants]

Well, the Giants scored so I guess the competition is over.

BC

Indeed!  The list has been finalized with twelve predictions ranging from 81 to 94….

[Giants]

Well, the Giants scored so I guess the competition is over.

BC

Indeed!  The list has been finalized with twelve predictions ranging from 81 to 94….

[Mick]

Well, the Giants scored so I guess the competition is over.

BC

Indeed!  The list has been finalized with twelve predictions ranging from 81 to 94….

Last time the Giants lost the first three games of the season was 2012. On the other hand, the last time before that was when Frank Robinson was fired and Danny Ozark took over in 1984. That team which went 66-96 and finished 6th of six teams in the division. That 1984 team had eight players hit .290 or better with at least 250 ABs (Jack Clark, Dusty Baker, Dan Gladden, Jeffrey Leonard, Chili Davis, Bob Brenly, Al Oliver, and Scott Thompson). Four of them hit over .300, Gladden hit .351. Two more backups (Steve Nicosia, .303 and Chris Brown, .286) hit well. No starting pitcher had a winning record or an ERA under 4.33. Chili Davis and Bob Brenly were All Stars, Jeffrey Leonard received downballot MVP votes and the team flat out sucked.

2012 San Francisco Giants Schedule | Baseball-Reference.com

1984 San Francisco Giants Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com

[Mick]

Well, the Giants scored so I guess the competition is over.

BC

Indeed!  The list has been finalized with twelve predictions ranging from 81 to 94….

Last time the Giants lost the first three games of the season was 2012. On the other hand, the last time before that was when Frank Robinson was fired and Danny Ozark took over in 1984. That team which went 66-96 and finished 6th of six teams in the division. That 1984 team had eight players hit .290 or better with at least 250 ABs (Jack Clark, Dusty Baker, Dan Gladden, Jeffrey Leonard, Chili Davis, Bob Brenly, Al Oliver, and Scott Thompson). Four of them hit over .300, Gladden hit .351. Two more backups (Steve Nicosia, .303 and Chris Brown, .286) hit well. No starting pitcher had a winning record or an ERA under 4.33. Chili Davis and Bob Brenly were All Stars, Jeffrey Leonard received downballot MVP votes and the team flat out sucked.

2012 San Francisco Giants Schedule | Baseball-Reference.com

1984 San Francisco Giants Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com

[Giants]

Well, the Giants scored so I guess the competition is over.

BC

Indeed!  The list has been finalized with twelve predictions ranging from 81 to 94….

Last time the Giants lost the first three games of the season was 2012. On the other hand, the last time before that was when Frank Robinson was fired and Danny Ozark took over in 1984. That team which went 66-96 and finished 6th of six teams in the division. That 1984 team had eight players hit .290 or better with at least 250 ABs (Jack Clark, Dusty Baker, Dan Gladden, Jeffrey Leonard, Chili Davis, Bob Brenly, Al Oliver, and Scott Thompson). Four of them hit over .300, Gladden hit .351. Two more backups (Steve Nicosia, .303 and Chris Brown, .286) hit well. No starting pitcher had a winning record or an ERA under 4.33. Chili Davis and Bob Brenly were All Stars, Jeffrey Leonard received downballot MVP votes and the team flat out sucked.

2012 San Francisco Giants Schedule | Baseball-Reference.com

1984 San Francisco Giants Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com

In 2012, Lincecum, Bumgarner and Cain were respectively rocked in each of the three first games (v. AZ).  The end of that season turned out ok.   It will be interesting to see how things unfold this season.

[Giants]

Well, the Giants scored so I guess the competition is over.

BC

Indeed!  The list has been finalized with twelve predictions ranging from 81 to 94….

Last time the Giants lost the first three games of the season was 2012. On the other hand, the last time before that was when Frank Robinson was fired and Danny Ozark took over in 1984. That team which went 66-96 and finished 6th of six teams in the division. That 1984 team had eight players hit .290 or better with at least 250 ABs (Jack Clark, Dusty Baker, Dan Gladden, Jeffrey Leonard, Chili Davis, Bob Brenly, Al Oliver, and Scott Thompson). Four of them hit over .300, Gladden hit .351. Two more backups (Steve Nicosia, .303 and Chris Brown, .286) hit well. No starting pitcher had a winning record or an ERA under 4.33. Chili Davis and Bob Brenly were All Stars, Jeffrey Leonard received downballot MVP votes and the team flat out sucked.

2012 San Francisco Giants Schedule | Baseball-Reference.com

1984 San Francisco Giants Statistics | Baseball-Reference.com

In 2012, Lincecum, Bumgarner and Cain were respectively rocked in each of the three first games (v. AZ).  The end of that season turned out ok.   It will be interesting to see how things unfold this season.

[Leftcoast]

In game three of this week's Yankee's sweep, it's the bottom of the ninth, one out in a 3-1 game, two on base with the tying run at 1st.  Patrick Bailey walks to the plate ... and I'm sure Giant nation collectively groaned.  Two pitches later Bailey hit into a game ending double play.

Ok, I know PB is an awesome defensive catcher but can the Giant's afford another year of carrying a black-hole, out machine at the pitcher position?  Do Bailey's skills at pitch framing matter as much with the new ABS system?  And perhaps we can, at least, pull him for a pinch hitter in high-leverage, end of game situations?

Someone talk me off the ledge when it comes to Bailey's offense.

[Leftcoast]

In game three of this week's Yankee's sweep, it's the bottom of the ninth, one out in a 3-1 game, two on base with the tying run at 1st.  Patrick Bailey walks to the plate ... and I'm sure Giant nation collectively groaned.  Two pitches later Bailey hit into a game ending double play.

Ok, I know PB is an awesome defensive catcher but can the Giant's afford another year of carrying a black-hole, out machine at the pitcher position?  Do Bailey's skills at pitch framing matter as much with the new ABS system?  And perhaps we can, at least, pull him for a pinch hitter in high-leverage, end of game situations?

Someone talk me off the ledge when it comes to Bailey's offense.

[BostonCard]

Do Bailey's skills at pitch framing matter as much with the new ABS system?

Apparently, one of Bailey's other skills is knowing when to challenge.  He was 10/12 in ABS challenges during spring training, compared to a 61% overall challenge success rate among pitchers/catchers (batters were generally worse).  So far in the regular season, he's 3/4, tied for third place among fielders.

Stats available at baseball savant: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/abs

BC

[BostonCard]

Do Bailey's skills at pitch framing matter as much with the new ABS system?

Apparently, one of Bailey's other skills is knowing when to challenge.  He was 10/12 in ABS challenges during spring training, compared to a 61% overall challenge success rate among pitchers/catchers (batters were generally worse).  So far in the regular season, he's 3/4, tied for third place among fielders.

Stats available at baseball savant: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/abs

BC

[cardcrimson]

Do Bailey's skills at pitch framing matter as much with the new ABS system?

Apparently, one of Bailey's other skills is knowing when to challenge.  He was 10/12 in ABS challenges during spring training, compared to a 61% overall challenge success rate among pitchers/catchers (batters were generally worse).  So far in the regular season, he's 3/4, tied for third place among fielders.

Stats available at baseball savant: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/abs

BC

On the bright side, they're only a game out of second place, and two out of the wild card. . . .

[cardcrimson]

Do Bailey's skills at pitch framing matter as much with the new ABS system?

Apparently, one of Bailey's other skills is knowing when to challenge.  He was 10/12 in ABS challenges during spring training, compared to a 61% overall challenge success rate among pitchers/catchers (batters were generally worse).  So far in the regular season, he's 3/4, tied for third place among fielders.

Stats available at baseball savant: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/abs

BC

On the bright side, they're only a game out of second place, and two out of the wild card. . . .

[Giants]

In game three of this week's Yankee's sweep, it's the bottom of the ninth, one out in a 3-1 game, two on base with the tying run at 1st.  Patrick Bailey walks to the plate ... and I'm sure Giant nation collectively groaned.  Two pitches later Bailey hit into a game ending double play.

Ok, I know PB is an awesome defensive catcher but can the Giant's afford another year of carrying a black-hole, out machine at the pitcher position?  Do Bailey's skills at pitch framing matter as much with the new ABS system?  And perhaps we can, at least, pull him for a pinch hitter in high-leverage, end of game situations?

Someone talk me off the ledge when it comes to Bailey's offense.

As the only player in major league history to hit a walk-off grand slam and a walk-off inside the park HR in the same season, I liked the idea of Bailey hitting at that point in the game, particularly given the options coming off the bench.  

Big picture: Bailey’s value behind the plate more than makes up for his absence of a high batting average.

[Giants]

In game three of this week's Yankee's sweep, it's the bottom of the ninth, one out in a 3-1 game, two on base with the tying run at 1st.  Patrick Bailey walks to the plate ... and I'm sure Giant nation collectively groaned.  Two pitches later Bailey hit into a game ending double play.

Ok, I know PB is an awesome defensive catcher but can the Giant's afford another year of carrying a black-hole, out machine at the pitcher position?  Do Bailey's skills at pitch framing matter as much with the new ABS system?  And perhaps we can, at least, pull him for a pinch hitter in high-leverage, end of game situations?

Someone talk me off the ledge when it comes to Bailey's offense.

As the only player in major league history to hit a walk-off grand slam and a walk-off inside the park HR in the same season, I liked the idea of Bailey hitting at that point in the game, particularly given the options coming off the bench.  

Big picture: Bailey’s value behind the plate more than makes up for his absence of a high batting average.

[BostonCard]

Hey, Giants win (sadly against my Padres).

BC

[BostonCard]

Hey, Giants win (sadly against my Padres).

BC

[Mick]

Glad they won. The San Francisco Giants have never started out 0-4. The New York Giants last started out 0-4 in 1950, and I couldn't find any other season with an 0-4 start. They've never had an 0-5 start.

[Mick]

Glad they won. The San Francisco Giants have never started out 0-4. The New York Giants last started out 0-4 in 1950, and I couldn't find any other season with an 0-4 start. They've never had an 0-5 start.

[Leftcoast]

Yeah, I used to be a "but look what he does defensively" guy due to his pitch framing and pick-off ability.  Getting to be harder sell.  Bailey has just two hits for the season, 125 average, 1 RBI.  The Giants need more and until he starts hitting they need to Pinch Hit for him in high leverage, late game situations.  I'm seeing no hits in an admittedly limited preseason.

Bailey needs to find at least SOME offense or the Giants need to consider options. He's become the type of double play engine other team's love to see at the plate. I'm groaning anytime he comes to the plate with one out and a player at first.

[Leftcoast]

Yeah, I used to be a "but look what he does defensively" guy due to his pitch framing and pick-off ability.  Getting to be harder sell.  Bailey has just two hits for the season, 125 average, 1 RBI.  The Giants need more and until he starts hitting they need to Pinch Hit for him in high leverage, late game situations.  I'm seeing no hits in an admittedly limited preseason.

Bailey needs to find at least SOME offense or the Giants need to consider options. He's become the type of double play engine other team's love to see at the plate. I'm groaning anytime he comes to the plate with one out and a player at first.

[Mick]

Should probably trade the whole team. Giants OPS is .558, 29th in MLB.

[Mick]

Should probably trade the whole team. Giants OPS is .558, 29th in MLB.

[Leftcoast]

Should probably trade the whole team. Giants OPS is .558, 29th in MLB.

Point taken, early days.

On the other hand, Bailey was lifted for a pinch hitter today in the 7th.  Of course Encarnacion only managed a softer roller for an out ...

We'll take the 2-1 series win against the Padres.

[Leftcoast]

Should probably trade the whole team. Giants OPS is .558, 29th in MLB.

Point taken, early days.

On the other hand, Bailey was lifted for a pinch hitter today in the 7th.  Of course Encarnacion only managed a softer roller for an out ...

We'll take the 2-1 series win against the Padres.