In many ways, the final three games before the All Star break summed up the entirety of the first half for the Giants. A big win, in dramatic one run fashion. Followed by a low scoring one run loss that wasted a great starting pitching outing. And finally, another poor offensive showing that was supplemented by some late drama before truly rotten luck victimized the Giants in the top of the 11th on Sunday. Most Giants fans would give the Dodgers series a B. You got one, and were right there in both losses. It’s just about the same letter grade those fans would give the first half as a whole.
The one highlight on Sunday outside of another solid Robbie Ray outing? Luis Matos blasting a game tying ninth inning home run.
Other than that, the good came on Friday. In a very unusual Giants game, it was the offense that picked up the pitching staff, earning an 8-7 win behind one of Logan Webb’s worst outings of the season. The Giants took the lead 8-2 with a five run fifth inning.
This Willy Adames homer in the second preceded a signature Big Dom Smith Moment.
Then Adames tripled to drive in two more and the Giants had blown it open.
Webb faltered, but the Giants bullpen held it together for a Friday night victory that had (the good half) of a sellout Oracle crowd park in a frenzy.
Somehow MLB once again held its draft on Sunday afternoon, when a handful of games were still underway, including an extra innings thriller against the Dodgers. Just as the Giants dropped that excruciating contest, the front office selected Tennessee INF Gavin Kilen with the 13th overall pick. Kilen was a stud for the Volunteers during his collegiate career. He’s a polished hitter and a versatile defender.
Kilen hit .357 with the Volunteers in 2025, blasting 15 homers in 55 games and putting up an elite 1.112 OPS. He joined Murph & Markus on Monday morning to discuss the draft, his skillset, and what it was like to get the phone call of a lifetime from Buster Posey.
Giants fans can catch their breath for a few days as All Star week festivities take place in Atlanta. Robbie Ray won’t pitch in the game after going Sunday, but Logan Webb almost certainly will and Randy Rodriguez could get in the game late. You can hear the Home Run Derby on KNBR 1050 and the All Star Game on KNBR!