By Jack Loder
Two weeks, Giants fans. A mere fortnight stands between you and real baseball at Oracle Park. And if you can’t make it to 3rd & King for the opener, make sure to fire up Netflix to stream the game from anywhere in the world. Imagine that sentence 20 years ago. The Giants will open at home, at night, against an American League team, and you can catch all the action via the company that mails you DVDs. And if you want to add a twist of horror to that time capsule, the Dodgers have won back to back World Series. Welcome to the future.
The two week timeline is especially important for Logan Webb, who is set to make his fifth straight Opening Day start for the Giants on the 25th. He may be re-joining the team in Scottsdale earlier than expected, as a pool play debacle for Team USA has left their qaurterfinal candidacy in jeopardy at the time of publish. Webb surely hopes to make another start for the red white and blue in the knockout rounds of the WBC, but Giants fans wouldn’t hate it if their ace was resting up in Scottsdale.
A light at the end of the nearly pitch black tunnel that is the Giants bullpen is veteran lefty Erik Miller. Miller, injured during the back half of 2025, is working his way back and figures to be in the mix for the closer role. He told Justice De Los Santos that his live bullpens have been going well, and that as of now he is on track to be ready for Opening Day.
Hayden Birdsong is also an intriguing bullpen option. His struggles with command have been well documented, but if he’s able to harness it his electric stuff he’d be a shutdown reliever. Another. bullpen option could come externally in the form of a trade. The Giants have some depth, specifically in the infield with Casey Schmitt. A proven MLB player, there are more than a handful of teams who would benefit from his services. Buster Posey should find one that can offer a legitimate bullpen arm, and make the flip. Only great teams can afford to harbor infield depth on the bench. The Giants aren’t great.
Bryce Eldridge continues to put together an impressive spring as he fights for an opening day roster spot. After his just okay September debut, many wondered if the 21-year-old is ready for an every day role at the Major League level. Eldridge gradually silences the doubters with each 110+ mph missile that comes off his bat in the Cactus League.
From the roster bubble, Giants outfielder Will Brennan has been raising eyebrows, and giving opposing pitchers whiplash, as he continues to rip the cover off the ball in spring training. The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser wrote on Brennan, who may find his way onto the Giants active roster sooner than later.
