The San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres have been two of the more fascinating teams in baseball this year. Almost everyone expected the Padres to be among the game's best teams, if not the best, and that the SF Giants would be somewhere around .500. But after 70 or so games, it's the Giants who are about 10 games over .500 and the Padres have struggled pretty much all season, particularly in the run scoring department. Despite having multiple superstar hitters in their lineup!
The differences between these two teams and how they're playing is discussed. The SF Giants have a lot more roster flexibility, and they've been able to target undervalued players and get a lot of production out of them. Think Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada, LaMonte Wade Jr., and J.D. Davis. The Padres are built mostly through major pieces acquired via trade or free agency, and don't have a lot of young players coming up, which is something that's buoyed the Giants this year.
Luis Matos, Patrick Bailey, and Casey Schmitt, along with pitchers Tristan Beck, Keaton Winn, and Sean Hjelle, have provided a spark for the Giants this season that has their fans excited and the team energized. It's fairly clear that the rookies' arrival and strong performance (for the most par) have breathed life into the team and fanbase. For that reason, and the fact that the Giants are now in a strong playoff position, that it doesn't make sense when people list Giants players among those who might be available at this year's trade deadline.
Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:
? Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U
? Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN
? Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr
? Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg
? Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD
The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.
Follow Ben Kaspick on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenKaspick
#SFGiants #FirstListen
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Birddogs
Go to birddogs.com/lockedonmlb and they’ll throw in a free custom birddogs Yeti-style tumbler with every order.
eBay Motors
For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase.
FanDuel
Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices