Locked On Giants – Daily Podcast On The San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants have generally struggled out of the gates, although they've had their moments. Several veteran players have yet to hit their stride at the plate, and multiple pitchers, including staff ace Logan Webb, haven't found their normal performance yet. 

Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater are often brought up as candidates to come off the team in order to make room for younger players like Luis Matos and/or Heliot Ramos. How long is the leash for a struggling Yaz/Slater? And what about Nick Ahmed vs. Marco Luciano? 

Speaking of players not playing to their full potential, what's going on with Giants catcher Patrick Bailey? His throws have been wildly inaccurate in the early season. Is he still and elite defender? 

Finally, with SF Giants pitcher Jordan Hicks successfully transitioning to the rotation thus far, what will the Giants' pitching staff look like once/if everyone is fully healthy?

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

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The San Francisco Giants continued to inexplicably struggle against the Washington Nationals in their latest series, losing two out of three at home. However, if you're going to win one game in a series, it's best to make it the last one—especially with a day off coming up. 

Jordan Hicks continued his red-hot start to the season, and his seamless transition to a starters' role. The SF Giants have won all three of Hicks' starts, and he's pitched six, seven, and six innings, respectively, in his outings. Hicks has been exceptionally efficient in those outings as well. 

And importantly, the Giants' offense broke out in the finale against the Nationals. Nick Ahmed and Tyler Fitzgerald were six for six from the bottom of the lineup, and the SF Giants also stole their first bases of the year in the game. This was in stark contrast to the Giants' recent offensive struggles, which came to a head with San Francisco failing to capitalized on a bases-loaded, no out situation in the bottom of the ninth in a two-run loss to the Nats on Tuesday night.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

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Check life insurance off your to do list in no time with Policygenius. Head to policygenius.com/lockedonmlb to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save. 
 

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The San Francisco Giants closed out their first homestand of the season with a 7-1 win over the Washington Nationals. The seven runs the San Francisco Giants scored today marks the first time the team scratched across more than three runs at Oracle Park this season. Jordan Hicks pitched well again today, surrendering only one run on his way to his second win of the season.

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Blake Snell's San Francisco Giants debut didn't go as planned. Snell himself was not at his best, although his strikeout and walk rates were roughly in line with what Giants fans should expect. But Snell threw far too many pitches and only lasted three innings, while the Nationals' pesky offense, which has haunted the Giants in recent seasons, put hits and runs on the board. Blake Snell's Giants debut is discussed in detail with Locked On Giants POSTCAST host Erik Engle and Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick.

Afterwards, the SF Giants' rough 4-7 start is discussed. The Giants' offense has been MLB's worst by wRC+ ever since their series in Los Angeles started about a week ago. On the season, the San Francisco Giants haven't really pitched or hit well. There are a few exceptions, such as Jordan Hicks, Ryan Walker, Michael Conforto, and some others, but all-in-all the Giants rank near the bottom in most pitching and hitting categories. It is a small sample but one the SF Giants should be able to fix against a team like the Nationals, but it hasn't worked out that way ... for years.

The Nationals have been a different team vs. the Giants than they have been vs. everyone else since the start of the 2022 season. Most notably, the Nats have better than a .350 average on balls in play vs. the Giants since 2022, whereas it's .291 vs. the rest of the league. As such, Washington has a 120 wRC+ vs. the Giants since '22 and a 91 wRC+ vs. every other team. It's an inexplicable trend that seems more fluky than anything. The beauty of baseball, especially early in the season, is that every day is a new opportunity to get back on track. The Giants could still win this series and come away feeling good if they can put together a couple of wins to close out this homestand.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Policygenius
Check life insurance off your to do list in no time with Policygenius. Head to policygenius.com/lockedonmlb to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save. 
 

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Right now, Ibotta is offering our listeners $5 just for trying Ibotta by using the code LOCKEDONMLB when you download the app. 
 

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FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARENTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – win or lose! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
 

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Blake Snell's debut for the San Francisco Giants was spoiled, as they fell 8-1 to the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park. Blake Snell only lasted three innings and needed a ton of pitches to get those nine outs, surrendering three runs in the process. The San Francisco Giants offense continues to slump, especially at the bottom of the order. The San Francisco Giants will need to start hitting if they want to win some games.

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It absolutely was not pretty, but the San Francisco Giants took two out of three from the Padres and ended up going 4-6 through a tough opening stretch to start the 2024 season. The Giants went 4-3 against the Padres and 0-3 against the Dodgers to start the year. In this series, despite winning two of three, the Giants made mistakes in every series that could've cost them the game.

Michael Conforto got overly aggressive on the bases (again) and took the SF Giants out of a rally in the series opener. Jordan Hicks, who was otherwise brilliant over seven innings, threw a ball into center field on what should've been an inning-ending double play but instead led to a run. Jung Hoo Lee started off the middle game of the series by letting a routine fly ball drop in front of him as he lost it in the sun.

But the Giants rallied for a walk-off win in the home opener, courtesy of a struggling Thairo Estrada, and they pieced together an ugly but effective rally in the bottom of the eighth in the finale. Wilmer Flores had a huge pinch-hit single (what else is new?), Tyler Fitzgerald went first to third on a bloop hit to right by Jorge Soler, testing the cannon of Fernando Tatis Jr., and Fitzgerald scored on the second costly error of the game by Ha-Seong Kim on what should've been a rally-killing, inning-ending double play.

Overall the SF Giants' offense has struggled to start the season, but track records and things like a low team batting average on balls in play suggest that better results will come soon enough. After facing two really tough teams in their first 10 games, the Giants now welcome the lowly Washington Nationals into town. Hopefully the Giants are able to take advantage, and it certainly helps that they start the series with Blake Snell making his San Francisco Giants debut on Monday night.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Policygenius
Check life insurance off your to do list in no time with Policygenius. Head to policygenius.com/lockedonmlb to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save. 
 

Ibotta
Right now, Ibotta is offering our listeners $5 just for trying Ibotta by using the code LOCKEDONMLB when you download the app. 
 

PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonmlb and use code lockedonmlb for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel
FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARENTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – win or lose! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The San Francisco Giants eighth-inning rally and great pitching fueled the club to a win over the San Diego Padres in the rubber match of this three-game series. The series win is the first for the San Francisco Giants in the 2024 MLB season. Logan Webb scattered 10 hits across seven innings of work, and limited the San Diego Padres to just two runs. Matt Chapman drove in the go-ahead run after Tyler Fitzgerald scored on an error by Ha Seong Kim to tie the game. The bullpen did the rest with Camilo Doval slamming the door in the ninth inning and earned his 70th career save.

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The San Francisco Giants were completely shut down by Michael King and the San Diego Padres, falling 4-0 tonight at Oracle Park. The home loss is the San Francisco Giants' first of the season, and marks their first shutout as well. Keaton Winn pitched well despite surrendering four runs, but the San Francisco Giants' bats were quiet all night long. The bullpen showed some things to be excited about in their three shutdown innings, and it is time to have a discussion about Mike Yastrzemski.

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The San Francisco Giants took down the San Diego Padres in dramatic fashion, as Thairo Estrada laced a double off the wall to score Matt Chapman for a walk-off win in the San Francisco Giants home opener. Jordan Hicks continued to dazzle on the mound as he set a new career high with seven inning pitched and only surrendered one run. The San Francisco Giants needed a win in a bad way, and the boys by the bay got it done today.

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The San Francisco Giants had a nice opening series against the Padres, splitting the four-game set while exhibiting strong offense and starting pitching performances (outside of the blowout finale). Now, the Giants and Padres are set to meet again as the SF Giants kick off their home schedule. Locked On Giants and Locked On Padres recap the series that was and the series that's to come.

What have we learned about these two teams so far? The Giants were swept in LA following their solid series in San Diego, so things aren't looking as rosy as they enter their home opener with an unsightly 2-5 record. But, as discussed on yesterday's episode, there's no reason to panic and the Giants only figure to get strong as the season goes along, with Blake Snell returning Monday, Alex Cobb likely shortly after that, and Robbie Ray lurking around the All-Star break.

What will happen when these two teams square off in San Francisco for the second time in three series (before not meeting again until September)? Jordan Hicks, Keaton Winn, and Logan Webb will face off against the back three in the Padres' rotation, and the SF Giants, playing in front of their home fans for the first time, should have the edge in the series and both hosts predict San Francisco taking two out of three. This on the heels of Locked On Padres host Javier Reyes boldly and completely incorrectly predicting the Padres would sweep the Giants in the opening series.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Robinhood
Robinhood has the only IRA that gives you a 3% boost on every dollar you contribute when you subscribe to Robinhood Gold. Now through April 30th, Robinhood is even boosting every single dollar you transfer in from other retirement accounts with a 3% match. Available to U.S. customers in good standing. Robinhood Financial LLC (member SIPC), is a registered broker dealer.

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Fire TV recently created Fire TV Channels to deliver a constant supply of the latest videos from your favorite sports brands, all for free. That includes all of us at Locked On and most of the big pro leagues and college conferences as well. To Learn More, visit www.amazon.com/LockedOnFireTV

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Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonmlb and use code lockedonmlb for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase.

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New customers, join today and you’ll get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)