Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
They’re all big series, of course. Each game is weighed the same, from the first to 60th, in determining playoff spots. The 23-21 Giants have separated themselves at the most opportune time — at home against the Diamondbacks and Mariners, winning five of six to surge over .500.
They are crushing lefties and righties, their starting pitching has been solid, bullpen excellent and defense improved. The holes are hard to find, but better teams tend to find them.
The Padres, at 28-17 and equidistant between the Dodgers and Giants in the division standings, are a better team. The Giants have fringe MVP contenders in Mike Yastrzemski and Brandon Belt. San Diego has the leader in Fernando Tatis Jr. The Giants mostly stood pat at the trade deadline; the Padres upgraded everywhere, including adding an ace in Mike Clevinger the Giants are expected to see Sunday, as well as a middle-of-the-order bat in Mitch Moreland and catcher Austin Nola.
Kapler reiterated that every game is important. But yes, so will be these four in San Diego, a team that has won four straight.
“It’s going to be a big series for us,” Joey Bart said after going 2-for-4 in Wednesday’s 10-1 victory over the Mariners at Oracle Park. “We’re pumped up about it, so hopefully we can carry some of the things we’ve been doing lately into San Diego and win some games.”
What they have been doing lately is everything. They scored 33 runs in their six-game homestand and have plated at least four in 11 straight. Their offense has caught fire and inspired confidence in a pitching rotation that has been solid, Tyler Anderson going six scoreless Wednesday. Their bullpen has been the second best in the majors since Aug. 17.
They will see a very different San Diego ballclub than the one that took two of three from the Giants from July 28-30 at Oracle Park. The Giants’ roster is not overturned, but the results have been.
“I think all of us believe in each other, and I think we know we’re pretty good one through nine,” Bart said of a lineup that posted double-digit runs without hits from Donovan Solano or Belt. “…We just got guys that are really good all over the lineup, so I think we all believe in each other, and we all kind of have that trust in each other that, if I don’t get the job done, the next guy will.
“We’ve done a pretty good job, but we still got to keep getting better and try to go win some games in San Diego.”
Kapler & Co. will have different faces to plan for, even if the manager insists the importance will be unchanged.
“These last two games against Seattle, we considered them like playoff games,” said a manager who has presided over 15 wins in 20 games. “Every game that we play through the end of the season we’re going to treat the same way. We feel like we’re good enough to play with and compete with the best teams in the league, think we’ve demonstrated that. [I] believe in this team’s ability.”
The Giants’ rotation for the Padres series: Trevor Cahill, Johnny Cueto, Kevin Gausman and Logan Webb. Cahill, who has had hip concerns, may see a shorter start as Drew Smyly is expected to pitch.
Anderson (six innings, no runs, three hits, walk, four strikeouts) opened his media session saying, “Our defensive positioning was great tonight. That works really well.” The Mariners’ hard hits found gloves, and he was appreciative.
Anderson’s brief description of Yastrzemski was both entertaining and accurate: “He’s really good. Really good. And he hits lefties and righties, which is pretty cool.”