The Giants used five pitchers to defeat the Royals, 3-2, on Tuesday night. Hayden Birdsong made his first start of the season and threw five innings, allowing an unearned run and zero walks. Randy Rodríguez struck out the side in his inning of work, and Kyle Harrison struck out two of the batters he faced, topping out at 97 MPH.
Advertisement
Camilo Doval pitched extremely well in his two-thirds of an inning, throwing a couple of 101-mph fastballs. Ryan Walker got a calm eight-pitch save, which puts him at 22 pitches over his last three innings. All of them combined to strike out 10, allowing just one walk and seven hits.
And that’s the story of how the Giants kept an opposing team’s bats quiet on a cold night at Oracle Park. If it feels like you’ve seen something like it before, it’s because you probably have. It was the 1,199th regular season night game at the ballpark, and it was the 465th time out of those games that Giants pitching limited their opponents to two runs or fewer.
If you go to a night game in San Francisco, you’ll catch a pitching performance like this more than a third of the time, which is a good thing, considering the Giants are now 418-47 in these kinds of games. It’s as much a part of the franchise brand as McCovey Cove or French vanilla. The pitchers prevent runs, the fans go home cold and happy and the seagulls eat their weight in garlic fries.
A bounce back win at @OracleParkSF 🏡 pic.twitter.com/MqSVz4e9Gj
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 21, 2025
Look closer at this game, though. Specifically, look at the list of pitchers up there. Walker is the old man in terms of age (29), and Doval is the grizzled veteran in terms of service time, even though he’s just 27. The other three pitchers are just pups who have combined for just over two years of MLB service time, and none of the three have thrown as many innings as a professional as Justin Verlander threw between 2011 and 2012.
All five pitchers featured some of the nastiest stuff that a Giants pitcher has ever thrown. That’s not hyperbole, and a lot of that has to do with the literal arms race that baseball is currently in, with every team finding more and more ways to weaponize pitches and extract the maximum amount of velocity out of an arm. Still, we’re talking nine innings of some of the greatest pitches the city has ever seen, and it’s a city that’s seen plenty of great pitching. The Giants threw 62 fastballs (four-seamers, sinkers and cutters) on Tuesday night, and the average velocity was 96.5 mph. They got just as many whiffs on the breaking balls and offspeed pitches they threw, for good measure.
Advertisement
All these years wondering when the Giants were going to rebuild, and they went and developed a phalanx of young pitchers without anyone paying too much attention.
Time to take a breath? Time to take a breath. You don’t need a history lesson to remember the young pitching staffs that didn’t last. Even when they do last, there’s attrition. The Giants won their first championship in the San Francisco era with four young starting pitchers, they won their second with two and they won their third with just one. If you’re not supposed to count your chickens before they hatch, I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do with young pitchers. They’re like an order confirmation from Eggs2You.com that says they’ll be delivered within the week, maybe, if the weather cooperates. It was just a few weeks ago when people were assuming the worst about Harrison’s drop in velocity.
With that disclaimer out of the way, go back to the game. All eyes were on Birdsong because of his return to the rotation, and understandably so. Don’t overlook the other four pitchers who might be around for several more seasons, though. The Giants can’t fit all of their young pitchers into the rotation, to the point where they put a 27-year-old in the bullpen to make room for one. There’s no obvious path for Harrison to get starts, and while you’re contemplating that happy injustice, consider what Carson Whisenhunt has done over his last four starts.
It’s probably time to take a breath again. Some of us have been waiting for Boof Bonser to show up for the last 25 years, and he’s not walking through that door. Please note that absolutely zero chickens are being counted here. We haven’t even entered our payment information on the Eggs2You checkout page yet. The Giants are still quite far from turning these young, superlative fastballs into sustainable success.
But … well, what else do you want to see from the young pitchers right now? You want to see a game like that one. Then another one and another one, but until then, you get to look at nine innings of impressive young arms and dream. If you’re cynical about young pitching, you’ll be right more often than you’re wrong, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun until you’re forced to stop.
Advertisement
Back in the first couple weeks of the season, when the Giants looked unstoppable, there were more than a couple people who invoked the 2021 season as a comparison. The Giants cooled off quite a bit, but the comparison wasn’t about 107 wins. It was about fun, competitive baseball emerging out of low preseason expectations. It can still apply.
Take a look at the 2021 roster again, though. Even if nobody knew that it was Buster Posey’s final season, nothing about it felt sustainable, at least on a player level. Any optimism that carried over had more to do with the architects of the team. It was a team of veterans and career years, with only one position player younger than 27 getting more than 100 at-bats (Thairo Estrada). The rotation was filled with pending free agents, and the only young pitcher among them was Logan Webb, who came out of nowhere.
This game offered 2008 or 2009 vibes, but in the best possible sense. The Giants have already scored more than the 17 runs they scored in either of those seasons, so they’re not perfect comparisons. They work in the sense that you could look at the accumulated young pitchers and think, yeah, this might be going somewhere. This might be going somewhere really fun. All this season’s team is missing is an inner-circle Hall of Famer going for career milestones, and … wait a second.
That comparison breaks down when you consider what Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain had already accomplished. This year’s group is still very much unproven, and they could be Oops, All Bumgarners! or Oops, All Sánchezes!, with no guarantees that any of them even have the nice career that Jonathan Sánchez ended up with.
Not all young staffs are created equal, and it’s a sobering reminder that the most under-27 pitchers the Giants have ever used in a game was in 2019, when Tyler Beede, Travis Bergen, Sam Coonrod, Trevor Gott, Jandel Gustave, Williams Jerez and Andrew Suárez all appeared in the same game. The Giants lost that one, 9-5. Those seven pitchers have combined for zero major-league innings just six years later (although Gott is currently rehabbing in the Mariners’ system). You can’t even log into your Eggs2You.com account because the two-factor authentication was sent to an old phone number. Young pitchers are tricky, man.
It’s hard to ask for anything more right now, though. The Giants are contending, and they’re winning games with their young pitching. It’s possible to get excited about them in the present, which means it’s definitely possible to get excited about them for the future.
Just a reminder that the German translation of “Birdsong” is “Vogelsong.” Makes you think.
(Top photo of Hayden Birdsong: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Týmoví kolegové v boji o titul. Rovnováha v týmu se přesto letos nezměnila, tvrdí Piastri
V čele průběžného žebříčku šampionátu jezdců je už měsíc od Velké ceny Saúdské Arábie. Přestože byl před začátkem sezony větším favoritem Piastriho týmový kolega Norris, dokázal Australan vyhrát čtyři ze sedmi letošních závodů a na svého parťáka má náskok 13 bodů.Oba jezdci McLarenu jsou i díky dosavadním výsledkům hlavními favority na celkové vítězství v letošní sezoně formule 1. O víkendu se ale v Imole připomněl Max Verstappen, jehož ztráta na Norrise činí pouhých devět bodů.Důležitým faktorem v boji o titul jezdců i Pohár konstruktérů budou vnitřní vztahy v McLarenu. Podle slov Piastriho se na nich od začátku roku nic nezměnilo ani přes změnu v pořadí šampionátu.„Upřímně si nemyslím, že by se rovnováha a vztahy v týmu zásadně měnily. Přirozeně chcete mít na konci sezony navrch, k tomu oba míříme,“ přemítal Piastri.„Aktuálně mi výsledky hodně pomáhají k zisku sebevědomí, to je pro mě hodně důležité. Když v závodě soupeříme s ostatními stájemi, je výhodou být první – například v pit stopech […]
„Den Druck finde ich geil!“ – ZDF-Newcomer kommentiert Pokal-Finale
Großes Final-Debüt im ZDF!Beim DFB-Pokal-Endspiel zwischen dem VfB Stuttgart und Arminia Bielefeld wird eine neue Stimme beim Zweiten zu hören sein: Gari Paubandt (35) kommentiert die Partie ab 20 Uhr.SPORT BILD: Herr Paubandt, Sie kommentieren Samstag Ihr erstes großes Finale für das ZDF. Wie erfuhren Sie, dass Sie nominiert sind?Gari Paubandt (35): Ich habe es ganz normal in der Besetzungsliste gesehen. Es war eine echte Überraschung. Ich habe mir erst mal im Kalender ein paar Tage für die Vorbereitung geblockt. Das Finale ist für mich eine gigantische Nummer.Mit 40.000 Fans singen: Gänsehaut-Moment für HSV-Ewigkeit<!-->[-->Quelle: BILD19.05.2025Sie sind gebürtiger Berliner. Wie oft waren Sie schon beim Pokalfinale vor Ort?Bisher noch nie. Ich habe es bisher nur vor dem Fernseher verfolgt. Es ist halt jedes Mal extrem teuer. Im Olympiastadion kommentierte ich aber die Eröffnungsfeier der Special Olympics. Es ist ein besonderer Ort. […]
What Oilers did (and didn’t do) well against Stars in 2024 playoff series
A year ago, the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars played an entertaining six-game series. The five-on-five scoring was fairly even, but Edmonton’s power play scored four times, and the Oilers’ PK outscored the Stars’ PP 1-0 in the Western Conference final. Edmonton had the overall edge in save percentage, shooting percentage and posted double the high-danger chances Dallas earned in the series.If you’re an Oilers fan expecting a repeat, it would be wise to reset expectations. Still, it’s worth looking at what the Oilers did well, and didn’t do well, against the Stars in last year’s playoffs.GoaltendingThe most important game state in hockey is five-on-five. It’s the biggest part of the game, and involves (or should involve) both offence and defence on the same shift by the same players.A year ago, Dallas owned the superior save percentage (.915 to .907) […]
Jaedyn Shaw, Mia Fishel, Korbin Albert called to USWNT U-23 camp
The U.S. women’s national team (USWNT) announced its Under-23 roster Wednesday, and it features three players with senior team caps: Jaedyn Shaw of the North Carolina Courage, Mia Fishel of Chelsea and Korbin Albert of Paris Saint-Germain.Composed almost entirely of professional players, the U-23s will meet in Germany for camp and play two friendlies against their host on May 30 and June 2 in Stuttgart. Additionally, U.S. Soccer noted in its press release that “per an agreement with Germany that is standard for Women’s U-23 internationals in Europe, each squad will have five ‘overage players,’ none of whom can be born before Jan. 1, 1999.” Fishel is 24 years old, while Albert and Shaw are 21 and 20, respectively.AdvertisementSenior USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has prioritized the development of this age group since taking the helm last May. She said […]
New Canada faces get chance to impress as Jesse Marsch reshuffles roster for June friendlies
Jesse Marsch has changed the look of his Canada squad for the upcoming international window with friendlies against Ukraine and Côte D’Ivoire, largely out of necessity, and is allowing some new faces a chance to prove themselves.The absences of Alphonso Davies and Moise Bombito due to injury in particular will provide new starting opportunities for emerging players, and allow Marsch to consider different looks for the team with the 2026 World Cup nearly one year away.AdvertisementAnd while many of Canada’s top European-based players were called into the June squad — including Jonathan David, Stephen Eustaquio and Tajon Buchanan — this squad could also provide the backbone of the Gold Cup team that will compete for Canada’s last trophy before 2026 as well. Multiple other European-based young players who might not typically play in a Gold Cup could use the June […]
Bilbao-Star hat Ausstiegsklausel – Real will Williams!
Das wäre ein echter Transfer-Knaller!Wie die spanische Zeitung „Marca“ berichtet, plant Real Madrid die Verpflichtung von Nico Williams (22) für diesen Sommer.Zwar hat der spanische Europameister noch einen Vertrag bis 2027 bei LaLiga-Klub Athletic Bilbao, allerdings ist in seinem Arbeitspapier eine Ausstiegsklausel verankert, die es ihm erlaubt, schon nach dieser Saison den Klub zu verlassen.Real könnte diese Klausel aktivieren, wenn sie bereit wären, die festgeschriebene Ablösesumme in Höhe von 58 Millionen Euro zu bezahlen. Laut dem Bericht sind die Madrid-Bosse bereit, diese Summe zu zahlen.Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Was Real an William schätzt: Er ist ein junger, explosiver Spieler mit enormer Medienwirkung und sowohl sportlichem als auch kommerziellem Potenzial. Sein Status als spanischer Nationalspieler bringt einem Team, besonders in Spanien, noch mehr Aufmerksamkeit. Zudem sind seine Fähigkeiten unbestritten. Schon mit seinen 22 Jahren hat er bei der EM auf höchstem Niveau gespielt.Er […]
Related
Týmoví kolegové v boji o titul. Rovnováha v týmu se přesto letos nezměnila, tvrdí Piastri
V čele průběžného žebříčku šampionátu jezdců je už měsíc od Velké ceny Saúdské Arábie. Přestože byl před začátkem sezony větším favoritem Piastriho týmový kolega Norris, dokázal Australan vyhrát čtyři ze sedmi letošních závodů a na svého parťáka má náskok 13 bodů.Oba jezdci McLarenu jsou i díky dosavadním výsledkům hlavními favority na celkové vítězství v letošní sezoně formule 1. O víkendu se ale v Imole připomněl Max Verstappen, jehož ztráta na Norrise činí pouhých devět bodů.Důležitým faktorem v boji o titul jezdců i Pohár konstruktérů budou vnitřní vztahy v McLarenu. Podle slov Piastriho se na nich od začátku roku nic nezměnilo ani přes změnu v pořadí šampionátu.„Upřímně si nemyslím, že by se rovnováha a vztahy v týmu zásadně měnily. Přirozeně chcete mít na konci sezony navrch, k tomu oba míříme,“ přemítal Piastri.„Aktuálně mi výsledky hodně pomáhají k zisku sebevědomí, to je pro mě hodně důležité. Když v závodě soupeříme s ostatními stájemi, je výhodou být první – například v pit stopech […]
„Den Druck finde ich geil!“ – ZDF-Newcomer kommentiert Pokal-Finale
Großes Final-Debüt im ZDF!Beim DFB-Pokal-Endspiel zwischen dem VfB Stuttgart und Arminia Bielefeld wird eine neue Stimme beim Zweiten zu hören sein: Gari Paubandt (35) kommentiert die Partie ab 20 Uhr.SPORT BILD: Herr Paubandt, Sie kommentieren Samstag Ihr erstes großes Finale für das ZDF. Wie erfuhren Sie, dass Sie nominiert sind?Gari Paubandt (35): Ich habe es ganz normal in der Besetzungsliste gesehen. Es war eine echte Überraschung. Ich habe mir erst mal im Kalender ein paar Tage für die Vorbereitung geblockt. Das Finale ist für mich eine gigantische Nummer.Mit 40.000 Fans singen: Gänsehaut-Moment für HSV-Ewigkeit<!-->[-->Quelle: BILD19.05.2025Sie sind gebürtiger Berliner. Wie oft waren Sie schon beim Pokalfinale vor Ort?Bisher noch nie. Ich habe es bisher nur vor dem Fernseher verfolgt. Es ist halt jedes Mal extrem teuer. Im Olympiastadion kommentierte ich aber die Eröffnungsfeier der Special Olympics. Es ist ein besonderer Ort. […]
What Oilers did (and didn’t do) well against Stars in 2024 playoff series
A year ago, the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars played an entertaining six-game series. The five-on-five scoring was fairly even, but Edmonton’s power play scored four times, and the Oilers’ PK outscored the Stars’ PP 1-0 in the Western Conference final. Edmonton had the overall edge in save percentage, shooting percentage and posted double the high-danger chances Dallas earned in the series.If you’re an Oilers fan expecting a repeat, it would be wise to reset expectations. Still, it’s worth looking at what the Oilers did well, and didn’t do well, against the Stars in last year’s playoffs.GoaltendingThe most important game state in hockey is five-on-five. It’s the biggest part of the game, and involves (or should involve) both offence and defence on the same shift by the same players.A year ago, Dallas owned the superior save percentage (.915 to .907) […]
Jaedyn Shaw, Mia Fishel, Korbin Albert called to USWNT U-23 camp
The U.S. women’s national team (USWNT) announced its Under-23 roster Wednesday, and it features three players with senior team caps: Jaedyn Shaw of the North Carolina Courage, Mia Fishel of Chelsea and Korbin Albert of Paris Saint-Germain.Composed almost entirely of professional players, the U-23s will meet in Germany for camp and play two friendlies against their host on May 30 and June 2 in Stuttgart. Additionally, U.S. Soccer noted in its press release that “per an agreement with Germany that is standard for Women’s U-23 internationals in Europe, each squad will have five ‘overage players,’ none of whom can be born before Jan. 1, 1999.” Fishel is 24 years old, while Albert and Shaw are 21 and 20, respectively.AdvertisementSenior USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has prioritized the development of this age group since taking the helm last May. She said […]
New Canada faces get chance to impress as Jesse Marsch reshuffles roster for June friendlies
Jesse Marsch has changed the look of his Canada squad for the upcoming international window with friendlies against Ukraine and Côte D’Ivoire, largely out of necessity, and is allowing some new faces a chance to prove themselves.The absences of Alphonso Davies and Moise Bombito due to injury in particular will provide new starting opportunities for emerging players, and allow Marsch to consider different looks for the team with the 2026 World Cup nearly one year away.AdvertisementAnd while many of Canada’s top European-based players were called into the June squad — including Jonathan David, Stephen Eustaquio and Tajon Buchanan — this squad could also provide the backbone of the Gold Cup team that will compete for Canada’s last trophy before 2026 as well. Multiple other European-based young players who might not typically play in a Gold Cup could use the June […]
Bilbao-Star hat Ausstiegsklausel – Real will Williams!
Das wäre ein echter Transfer-Knaller!Wie die spanische Zeitung „Marca“ berichtet, plant Real Madrid die Verpflichtung von Nico Williams (22) für diesen Sommer.Zwar hat der spanische Europameister noch einen Vertrag bis 2027 bei LaLiga-Klub Athletic Bilbao, allerdings ist in seinem Arbeitspapier eine Ausstiegsklausel verankert, die es ihm erlaubt, schon nach dieser Saison den Klub zu verlassen.Real könnte diese Klausel aktivieren, wenn sie bereit wären, die festgeschriebene Ablösesumme in Höhe von 58 Millionen Euro zu bezahlen. Laut dem Bericht sind die Madrid-Bosse bereit, diese Summe zu zahlen.Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Was Real an William schätzt: Er ist ein junger, explosiver Spieler mit enormer Medienwirkung und sowohl sportlichem als auch kommerziellem Potenzial. Sein Status als spanischer Nationalspieler bringt einem Team, besonders in Spanien, noch mehr Aufmerksamkeit. Zudem sind seine Fähigkeiten unbestritten. Schon mit seinen 22 Jahren hat er bei der EM auf höchstem Niveau gespielt.Er […]
Be the first to leave a comment