I asked ChatGPT to produce this. I didn’t dare use a real picture of the real team that won. Not sure why they all look like brothers with the same facial hair.
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The MLB season is officially over, and it ended in agonizing fashion with the Dodgers squeaking out their second consecutive championship over a Toronto Blue Jays team that just couldn’t put the nail in the coffin. We beat the dead horse that should have been a ring for Toronto, but before that, we break down Tony Vitello’s presser at Oracle, Gold Glove wins for Bailey and Webb, and some new coaching hires. We’ll be back periodically throughout the offseason as news breaks, but thank you for your continued support as we close out season 15 of the TortureCast.
Giants starting pitcher Jordan Hicks hands the ball to manager Bob Melvin during a pitching change in the third inning on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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After an impressive 8-1 start to the season, the Giants have come back to Earth, going 17-18 since and have lost 5 of their last 6. That said, they are only 4 games out of first and hold the final wild card spot, the path that seems most likely for their entry into the postseason. They lost 4 of those 5 games by just one run, and the other by two. They are not getting crushed…just missing. One of the reasons is Jordan Hicks, who has compiled a 6.55 ERA this year and a .293 batting avg against. It’s not just this year…over his last 9 starts last year, he had a 6.44 ERA and his BAA was over .300. We think those 18 starts is a sufficient sample size, and maybe his time as a starter should end. Options? Birdsong first, Harrison next. We also critique LaMonte Wade, Jr. and his anemic offensive stats and hitting metrics. He’s just cold. And his defense ain’t cutting it, unlike Patrick Bailey’s. We chat about how to potentially solve these issues, and Eric has some important and heartfelt words at the end of the episode, so don’t miss that.
San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman (26) is congratulated by first base coach Mark Hallberg after hitting a grand slam against the Colorado Rockies during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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The Giants have gone 14-13 since their 8-1 explosive start. That doesn’t sound amazing, but it’s still good for the 4th best record in all of baseball. Unfortunately, the NL West has the two best teams in baseball with the Dodgers having won 8 of 9 games and the Padres have won 6 in a row. That said, the Giants are in the best shape at this point in the season since 2021. But…there are concerns. Many hitters are at or below .200. Their offense is average at best, and their starters are also around the average mark. So, why are they “overperforming?” Some of it has to do with their torrid start, but defense and other metrics creep in to alter a few losses to wins. Their expected W/L is only off by one. However, this could catch up in time. Chad and Willie discuss this and review the first quarter of the season and grade all facets of the Giants’ game. We also go off on a tangent about Buster Posey’s chances for the Hall of Fame in 2027…mostly inspired by Chad’s recent visit to Cooperstown.
San Francisco Giants’ Wilmer Flores, right, hits the the winning RBI single against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Kavin Mistry)
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So, the title of this episode is not lying. As of the evening of April 6, the Giants do indeed have the best record in baseball. No matter that it’s only been nine games. Hey, it’s one of the best starts in franchise history, with most great starts ending in the postseason, so there may be something to glean from that. Clearly, this team is exceeding our expectations, even after a great spring. There is an energy about this club. There is a feeling amongst the fans. Something may be different this year. Is it the new guys? Is it Bustermonium? Who knows, but the fellas are gellin’ with a 8-1 record, two walk-offs during the home opening series, and they are in first place. Might this come crashing down on their next road trip through Yankee Stadium, Philly, and Anaheim? Maybe, but let’s enjoy great baseball while we can, and Willie, Eric, and Chad have a great time just being giddy about this team. Oh, and don’t forget to check out Chad’s Oracle Park food review on YouTube!
Matt Chapman (left) and new Giant Willy Adames will anchor the left side of the infield and they will be key to the Giants’ success in 2025. Photo by San Diego Union Tribune.
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The gang gets back together to preview the San Francisco Giants’ 2025 season. We break down the roster and speculate on the remaining spots and share our season predictions, including wins, playoff hopes, team leaders, and more. Plus, we had a great response on social media in responding to our question to YOU, how many wins? As promised, we read all of your responses. Let’s just say that the hopes are high among Giants fans, I mean they did win the “Cactus League Championship.” The last time they did that?…2010…just sayin’. We’re back, baby, and so is Giants baseball with the season opener in Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon.
Dec 12, 2024; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames reacts during his introductory press conference with president of baseball operations Buster Posey (left) and manager Bob Melvin (right) at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
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NOTE: We had some audio issues that we tried to clean up and since uploaded a new version on 12/16/24.
Chad and Willie “Dills” talk about the impact that newly signed Giants’ shortstop, Willy Adames will have on this team. The left side of the infield is pretty strong right now and the outfield is set. Second and first may have a little work, but we have assumed starters there and at catcher. Most of the discussion revolves around starting pitching and the DH. After Snell signed with the Dodgers, it’s apparent that the Dodgers are probably already better on paper than they were last year when they won the whole thing. The Giants really are relegated to shooting for the wild card at this point, but that’s all it takes. Brandon Crawford officially called it a career and we reflect for a few minutes on his contributions to the franchise and imagine all of the upcoming Wall of Fame and statue ceremonies.
San Francisco Giants pro scouting director Zack Minasian was one the first hires made by Farhan Zaidi, the former president of baseball operations. He is now the GM. (Photo: Kerry Crowley)
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Buster Posey and the Giants hired a general manager! Zack Minasian (his brother is also the GM of the Angles, btw) has spent six years with the Giants and prior to that, was with the Brewers organization for 15 years. He grew up in the Rangers’ clubhouse, as his dad was a clubhouse attendant. In his teens, Zack realized that he wasn’t going to make it as baseball player and set his sights on the front office. Well, he’s arrived. Randy Winn was also named VP of player development. We’ll see if positions come up for JT Snow and Rich Aurilia. Patrick Bailey and Matt Chapman won Gold Gloves. It’s Bailey’s first, Chapman’s fifth, and it’s the first time the Giants have had two or more Gold Glove winners since Crawford, Panik, and Posey in 2016. Notice how we didn’t mention the Dodgers? Wait, what?
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Look. Many Giants and fans of other franchises did not want to see Dodgers and Yankees. Chad certainly doesn’t. He’s rooting for a cancelation of the World Series. But, even though Eric and Willie would never want the Dodgers to win, they are intrigued by the superstar spectacle that this is. It’s a far cry from last year’s small market, wild card World Series between Arizona and Texas. In their 12th meeting in the World Series (5 ahead of the Yankees and Giants), and their first Fall Classic together since 1981, the Yankees and Dodgers square off in a Fox wet dream. Between the US and Japan viewership, this could be the most watched World Series in a decade or more. The boys make their picks, lament about Bay Area sports in general, and wrap it up with a little Giants’ news (3 Gold Glove finalists!). We’ll be back to review the World Series and get into the hot stove season with Buster Posey commanding the ship.
The TortureCast 