Make the numbers work for you
Brewers 11, Giants 3
There are so many different paths to victory in any given game.
Yet, for whatever reason, losses seem to take the same shape. They trace the same path, elicit the same feelings. And if Tuesday's blowout loss felt vaguely familiar, I can tell you why. The 2025 Giants unveiled their Formula to Lose.
Step 1: Face a left-handed starter.
The Giants are designed to beat lefties. They've been miserable against lefties.
The team is hitting .201 against left-handed starters. Even worse, Willy Adames, Patrick Bailey, Wilmer Flores and Luis Matos—almost half of Tuesday's lineup—are a combined 12 for 101 (.119) against lefties.
So it's no surprise that Jose Quintana (#ForeverGiant) spun six innings of one-run ball. He dropped the Giants to 2-7 against southpaws, which includes losses to legendary lefties Tyler Anderson and Nick Lodolo.
Step 2: Start Jordan Hicks
Since throwing six shutout innings in his first start of the year, Hicks has allowed 21 runs in 21 1/3 innings.
He's been bad quickly, too. This isn't a "third time through the order" thing. Opposing hitters are batting .385 with a 1.060 OPS against him in their first at-bats.
Meanwhile, Hayden Birdsong continues to rise. Might he swap places with Hicks, reliever for starter? Hm.
That's one way to break the formula.
Up next: Freddy Peralta starts for the Brewers, and luckily he throws the baseball with his right hand. He’s good, but so is Logan Webb. Pitcher’s duel tonight at 6:45 pm.