To fluke or not to fluke

Mariners 4, Giants 3

You know it. I know it. Your boss whose hardly seen one game all year knows it: The Giants can't get the big hit. They clench up with runners in scoring position. The stats prove it. The eye test proves it. You can feel it.

Is it a fluke? Are all these situations just a coin flip, with the Giants calling heads on a one-sided coin?

In a world where we can measure everything down to the inch and the millisecond, we've yet to crack the clutch code. What does it take to come through in a big spot?

Last year's Padres were great on paper but horrible in big spots. This year's Padres are worse on paper and much better in big spots. They're heading to the playoffs because of it.

I want to believe the Giants are in for a similar story. I need to believe it, because after another disappointing weekend in which they went 4 for 26 with RISP, the page is quickly turning to 2025.

Can't you already hear the broadcast next April?

Last season the Giants could not get the big hit. Couldn't do it. For whatever reason, they think they'll be much better in those spots this year and for the next 16 with Juan Soto.

Up next: The Giants (66-66) are off today as they head to Milwaukee. Tomorrow it’ll be Logan Webb (11-8, 3.13 ERA) against Tobias Myers (6-5, 2.87 ERA) at 5:10 p.m.