Just like that, the Giants season opener in Cincinnati is just two weeks away. The Giants are about 70% of the way through their Cactus League slate, and if the win loss record is indicative of anything that will happen this season (it’s not) then Giants fans should be pretty excited. The G-men sit atop the Cactus League “standings” after a series of wins this past week. But it’s not the wins that should make you excited, it’s the individual performances.
Let’s talk about Robbie Ray, whose Spring has flown under the radar in lieu of the addition of Justin Verlander, and the race for the fifth starting spot in the rotation. Officially, Ray has logged 9.1 innings in the spring, although he’s appeared in simulated games on side fields as well. His numbers should have Giants fans salivating. Ray has racked up a gaudy 17 strikeouts, posted a 1.93 ERA, and a remarkable 0.54 WHIP.
If Ray can keep this up until April and May, the front end of the Giants rotation will be very formidable in an NL West that features the best starters in the game.
If we’re discussing guys enjoying stellar springs, we have to include Matt Chapman. The Giants’ veteran third basemen has been impeccable in the field and is batting .550 in the Cactus League as of March 11. His bat, along with that of newly acquired shortstop Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee,
Justin Verlander is determined to prove that his poor and injury riddled 2024 season was an aberration. The 41-year-old future hall of famer has thrown the ball well in Arizona, striking out nine over 11 innings and posting a 2.45 ERA. His velocity has been solid, and his mound presence is expectedly impressive.
KNBR Giants FanFest made its final stop this past weekend at Oracle Park. Even with most of the organization in Arizona, a cast of notable alumni met up with Adam Copeland and Markus Boucher during the event.
There’s an enthusiasm surrounding this year’s squad that hasn’t existed during the last couple of Springs. Call it the Buster Posey effect. Giants fans showed out in droves for FanFest, expect the same energy Opening weekend in April.