Bats still in transit

Mar 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (26) stands on the field during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images 18 zeros. 18 goose eggs.

18 uh-ohs. 18 black holes. 18 innings of big ol’ nothin’s from the San Francisco Giants offense.

Two days removed from being carved up by New York starter Max Fried (with an off-day in-between to recoup), the Giants hitters got right back in the saddle, and promptly tumbled off the other side against young right-hander, Cam Schlittler, in an eventual 3-nil loss. It’s not an ideal start…but it could be a symbolic one, because what if I told you that a similar offensive cold snap started the 2002 season? Because what if I told you a similar stumble led to one of the most successful seasons in club history?

And what if I told you all of that is a lie? Because of course it is . The Barry Bond-Jeff Kent Giants scored a bajillion runs in the first 18 innings and never lost a game all season.