It’s early April, and something unusual is happening in San Francisco. The Giants are hot—really hot. They’ve ripped off a six-game win streak and handled the Mariners with ease, and suddenly, the dugout feels electric. Robbie Ray is mixing in a new changeup, Jung Hoo Lee is flashing the talent everyone waited for, and Matt Chapman is playing like he’s got something to prove. Oracle Park, usually cautiously optimistic this time of year, is beginning to believe. So, is everyone on the same page?
The narrative writes itself: Farhan Zaidi is out, Buster Posey is in, and the culture shift is paying immediate dividends. The players look freer, looser, more focused. Fans are ready to buy into a rebirth—finally, something sustainable. But here’s the thing: not everyone is sold. And when Ken Rosenthal raises an eyebrow, it’s worth paying attention.
“It’s going to be a really easy narrative for us to say, Farhan Zaidi’s gone, Buster Posey’s here, the players feel liberated it’s back to baseball, and to some degree, that’s true,” Rosenthal said this week. But that’s not the whole story!
The red-hot Giants have been an intriguing team up to this point, but @Ken_Rosenthal still needs to see more… pic.twitter.com/rrHscoouxL
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 8, 2025
Posey’s quiet influence since stepping into an advisory role—especially in signing shortstop Willy Adames—is undeniable. And yes, the clubhouse feels lighter. But Rosenthal argues the turnaround is more layered, more nuanced than a simple leadership switch. This isn’t a Hollywood script: it’s baseball. Messy. Evolving. And hard to bottle up in a headline.
Take Adames. He’s not hitting yet. Justin Verlander hasn’t exactly dazzled. Lee’s just now finding rhythm after an injury-marred 2024. And Chapman? He looks like the version Oakland once worshipped, but sustaining that is another question. Rosenthal isn’t dismissing what’s happening in San Francisco. He sees a promising rotation. A bullpen anchored by Camilo Doval and Ryan Walker that could lock down late innings. And yes, there’s a new vibe—something closer to a unified identity.
But here’s the kicker: “I want to see it play out more,” Rosenthal said. In other words, April wins are nice. Culture shifts are exciting. But if the Giants want to truly rewrite their story, they’ll have to prove this isn’t just a honeymoon phase under new leadership. That means weathering cold bats, navigating Verlander’s inconsistencies, and finding cohesion not just for six games but for six months.
So, for now, enjoy the ride, Giants fans. But keep the champagne corked. The analyst everyone listens to isn’t buying the hype just yet. Also, what’s going on with the Giants?
Beyond the headlines, what’s actually working in Giants
Let’s get one thing straight—this Giants surge isn’t just about Buster Posey walking into the building and flipping a magic switch. Sure, the culture shift feels real, but the foundation of this early success lies in tangible, on-field upgrades. Matt Chapman, often maligned for streaky production, looks locked in and confident—like the version Oakland fans once adored. He’s anchoring the infield, delivering timely hits, and bringing edge to a roster that desperately needed it. Meanwhile, Jung Hoo Lee—after barely seeing the field last year—is finally healthy and making noise with his bat and glove. That’s not narrative. That’s production.
Then, there’s the pitching. Robbie Ray isn’t just back—he’s evolving. His newly added changeup gives hitters one more thing to think about, and it’s already paying dividends. The rotation, while not overpowering, is sturdy and competitive. And the bullpen? Quietly turning into a weapon. Camilo Doval and Ryan Walker are starting to resemble a late-inning duo you don’t want to face.
So while the Posey headlines make for great stories, it’s the performance details—gritty defense, timely hits, sharper arms—that are quietly driving the Giants’ resurgence.
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