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The San Francisco Giants made it through Week 1 of the wacky and wild 2020 MLB season, and they made it through in better shape than we all thought, splitting a four-game series against the ultra-talented Los Angeles Dodgers.
MLB as a whole also made it through Week 1, though the prospects for Week 2 are looking pretty darn grim.
The Marlins' home opener against the Baltimore Orioles tonight has been canceled, sources tell ESPN, as the team remains in Philadelphia and continues to undergo testing.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2020
Updating the Miami Marlins’ outbreak: The total number of infected players is 11 of the 33 who have been traveling with the team and two coaches, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2020
The Marlins-Orioles and Yankees-Phillies games tonight have been postponed. For now, the rest may be played.
The Giants might play all six of their games this week. They might play none. That’s just how this season is going.
The schedule
Tuesday, 7/28: vs. San Diego Padres, 6:45 p.m.
Wednesday, 7/29: vs. San Diego Padres, 6:45 p.m.
Thursday, 7/30: vs. San Diego Padres, 6:45 p.m.
Friday, 7/31: vs. Texas Rangers, 6:10 p.m.
Saturday, 8/1: vs. Texas Rangers, 6:10 p.m.
Sunday, 8/2: vs. Texas Rangers, 1:05 p.m.
How to watch
Regional TV: NBC Sports Bay Area, available through fuboTV (all games)
National TV: Thursday (FS1), and Friday (ESPN2)
Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM
Where the Giants stand entering the week
The Giants are 2-2, tied for third in the NL West, and have a 15.5% chance at making the postseason, per Fangraphs.
Must-see game
If you can only watch one game this week, make it Tuesday’s. All six of the week’s games are at Oracle Park, but only one of them is the first game at Oracle Park.
By the time Tuesday’s game rolls around, it will have been 303 days since we saw a regular season game at the most beautiful park in the league. Even without fans, it’s a special night.
Giant to watch
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All offseason and all spring it seemed clear that Jeff Samardzija would be the Giants second starter. And then some ... stuff ... hit the fan with the world, and baseball hit the reset button. All 30 teams figure to be adjusting what they do with pitchers, but the Giants are taking it to the next level.
In their opening four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tyler Anderson started the second game and Logan Webb the third. Kevin Gausman had a 4-inning appearance, but in relief. Drew Smyly pitched in relief and made a start.
It was all weird. And through it all, we never saw Samardzija. He was the only one of their 16 pitchers and 30 players to not appear in the series.
Gabe Kapler stated after Sunday’s game that Samardzija would start on Tuesday. But the fact that he didn’t play at all against the Dodgers suggests that maybe his arm wasn’t looking good in camp. So keep a close eye on him.
Opposing player to watch
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Fernando Tatis Jr. was beyond spectacular as a 20-year old rookie a year ago, hitting .317/.379/.590 in just over half a season.
He has superstar talent and is wildly fun to watch. He’s one of the few opposing players who can single handedly beat the Giants while also making your face flirt with smiling.
What beer I’m drinking from my couch bleachers
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There are a lot of similarities between the Giants and Lagunitas Brewing Co. They’re both from Northern California. They’re both popular. We like to think of them as personable, lovable, and representative of the region, even though one is a massive corporation and the other is owned by one.
And I love them both tremendously. I’m on a hazy IPA kick, and Lagunitas’ Hazy Memory (8.0% ABV, 55 IBU) is fantastic. And it comes in 16-ounce cans.