Halfway home

Cubs 5, Giants 3 F/10

We just crossed the halfway point of the season. So where are the Giants at?

The numbers paint a mediocre picture—but mediocre is still good enough to pop champagne.

The Giants are 39-43, 12 games behind the Dodgers but three games out of a playoff spot. A splash of reality: Pacing toward a 77-85 season is pacing toward an October vacation. The Giants' run differential is better than only three teams in the NL.

The offense has been perfectly average—the pitching hasn't. Giants relievers have thrown the most innings in baseball and the team ERA ranks 25th out of 30 teams.

With so many starters slated to come off the IL in the next month, the Giants have an opportunity to change the narrative in these next 80 games. I'll believe it when I see it.

Up next: The Dodgers come to town for three, and luckily the Giants know who their starting pitcher is going to be tonight. And only tonight. It’ll be Logan Webb (6-6, 3.16 ERA) vs. Landon Knack (1-1, 2.10 ERA) at 7:15 p.m.