Bob Melvin sees the gap in the standings, the one that wasn't there less than two months ago between his club and foes within their division. Separated by just two games at the All-Star break, the Padres and Diamondbacks now are putting in their final preparations for the postseason while the Giants have already set their sights on 2025. “For a good portion of the season, we were right there with them,” the Giants manager said this weekend. The series win was the Giants' first since they took two of three from the White Sox in the third week of August.

Bob Melvin sees the gap in the standings, the one that wasn't there less than two months ago between his club and foes within their division. Separated by just two games at the All-Star break, the Padres and Diamondbacks now are putting in their final preparations for the postseason while the Giants have already set their sights on 2025. “For a good portion of the season, we were right there with them,” the Giants manager said this weekend. The series win was the Giants' first since they took two of three from the White Sox in the third week of August.

The San Francisco Giants are a team that a lot of people are going to be keeping an eye on once the MLB offseason rolls around. One of the biggest questions will be who is leading the front office. Right now, that job is held by Farhan Zaidi, who is the team's president of baseball operations. The Giants were aggressive, bringing in several veterans to help push the team forward.

Young San Francisco Giants infielders Marco Luciano and Tyler Fitzgerald had to be separated in the dugout after misplaying a pop-up in the bottom of the seventh inning on Sunday.

The team is decent, but they aren't as good as the contending teams in the National League. While the Giants have more talent in terms of proven players, they've both disappointed greatly throughout the campaign. San Francisco will also need to address their lack of talent when the offseason comes around. Of those players is outfielder Mark Canha, who they acquired during the trade deadline from the Detroit Tigers.

All Times EDT East Division W L Pct GB Philadelphia 85 58 .594 — Atlanta 78 65 .545 7 New York 78 65 .545 7 Washington 64 79 .448 21 Miami 54 89 .378 31 Central Division W L Pct GB Milwaukee 82 61 .573 — Chicago 73 70 .510 9 St. Louis 72 71 .503 10 Cincinnati 69 75 .479 13½ Pittsburgh 67 76 .469 15 West Division W L Pct GB Los Angeles 86 57 .601 — San Diego 81 64 .559 6 Arizona 80 64 .556 6½ San Francisco 71 73 .493 15½ Colorado 54 90 .375 32½ Saturday's Games Washington 5, Pittsburgh 3, 1st game N.Y. Yankees 2, Chicago Cubs 0 N.Y. Mets 4, Cincinnati 0 Houston 11, Arizona 5 Miami 9, Philadelphia 5 Milwaukee 5, Colorado 2 St. Louis 2, Seattle 0 Washington 8, Pittsburgh 6, 2nd game Toronto 9, Atlanta

San Diego Padres outfielders Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill were limited to emergency hitting duties Saturday because of injury. During Saturday's 6-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants, Tatis and Merrill sat out the first eight innings of the game before coming to the plate in the ninth inning. The Padres previously planned the day of rest for Tatis, who only recently returned from a stress reaction in his femur that caused him to miss over two months of action. Tatis is still easing back into an every day role from his injury.

The San Francisco Giants were aggressive during the offseason leading into the 2024 MLB campaign. One of the biggest additions was ace starting pitcher, Blake Snell. As a Scott Boras client, Snell was expected to land a massive multi-year deal. While the contract was not what he was hoping for, Snell did everything in his power to maximize his earnings.

The Boston Red Sox certainly could use another boost at the top of the starting rotation. Boston certainly has impressed this season. The Red Sox currently are on the outside looking in for an American League Wild Card spot, but that doesn't mean that they haven't had a successful season so far. The Red Sox had low expectations heading into the season and have exceeded them.

Rookie of the Year candidate Jackson Merrill sat out the San Diego Padres' 6-3 loss Saturday night against the visiting San Francisco Giants after suffering a patella contusion when he hit his knee with a foul ball on Friday. Padres manager Mike Shildt hopes Merrill will be able to return for Sunday's series and homestand finale. One reason Shildt and San Diego should feel optimistic that Merrill will play is that he was able to pinch hit in the ninth inning Saturday, although he made an out. Merrill is batting .289 with 22 homers and 82 RBIs, a franchise record for RBIs by a rookie.

Rookie of the Year candidate Jackson Merrill sat out the San Diego Padres' 6-3 loss Saturday night against the visiting San Francisco Giants after suffering a patella contusion when he hit his knee with a foul ball on Friday. Padres manager Mike Shildt hopes Merrill will be able to return for Sunday's series and homestand finale. One reason Shildt and San Diego should feel optimistic that Merrill will play is that he was able to pinch hit in the ninth inning Saturday, although he made an out. Merrill is batting .289 with 22 homers and 82 RBIs, a franchise record for RBIs by a rookie.

Grant McCray hasn't even been in the big leagues for a month, and he has already proved himself more than capable in the clutch. The San Francisco Giants held a 4-3 lead over the San Diego Padres with a man on second and two outs in the top of the ninth. McCray came through again, belting a 425-foot, two-run home run to right-center.

While the trade deadline has passed, the San Francisco Giants and other teams around Major League Baseball can still deal players in the minors. The Giants did that on Saturday night, sending utilityman Cavan Biggio to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic.

In a season where much more was expected, the Giants in all likelihood will finish somewhere around .500. The team's Matt Chapman signing, six years, $151 million, no opt-out clauses, is a huge step in the right direction. Chapman is one of the game's elite third basemen, likes living and playing in the Bay Area and has a longtime, positive relationship with manager Bob Melvin. Take a look first at the status of director of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.

San Francisco Giants (70-73, fourth in the NL West) vs. San Diego Padres (81-63, second in the NL West) San Diego; Sunday, 4:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Spencer Bivens (3-1, 2.86 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 24 strikeouts); Padres: Joe Musgrove (5-4, 4.09 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 71 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK : LINE Padres -127, Giants +106; over/under is 7 runs BOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants meet on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1. San Diego has a 40-34 record at home and an 81-63 record overall. The Padres have a 64-20 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents. San Francisco has a 70-73 record overall and a 30-41 record on the road. The Giants

Grant McCray is making a strong case for a role on the 2025 Giants roster, but the team has a lot of things to figure out between now and Opening Day next March.

San Francisco rookie Grant McCray homered twice and drove in five runs as the Giants beat the San Diego Padres 6-3 on Saturday. McCray, who made his major league debut Aug. 14, put the Giants ahead 3-2 on his three-run drive deep into the seats in right field off Dylan Cease (12-11) with two outs in the second inning. Patrick Bailey and Brett Wisely were aboard on singles.

While much of the focus of the San Diego Padres 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants was the potential loss of star rookie center fielder Jackson Merrill, a more joyous moment took place. Third baseman Manny Machado helped begin the Padres' lead with a home run in the first inning. This was his 163rd as a Padre and the final one needed to tie the franchise record set by Nate Colbert during his run with the team from 1969-1974. “It's a special accomplishment,” Machado said, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

As a pending free agent surrounded by younger, cheaper and some more productive players at his own position, Michael Conforto may not fit into the Giants' plans for 2025. “It's a balance,” manager Bob Melvin said.

As a pending free agent surrounded by younger, cheaper and some more productive players at his own position, Michael Conforto may not fit into the Giants' plans for 2025. “It's a balance,” manager Bob Melvin said.