The San Francisco Giants are off to a hot start in 2025, with a 30-21 overall record, placing them in second among the National League West powerhouses. While the Los Angeles Dodgers remain ahead of them by two games, the Giants have managed to surpass the San Diego Padres as of now, holding a one-game lead over the division rival. One of the keys to this success has been their pitching staff, and their ability to overcome injuries to multiple key players. The depth of the team is outstanding there, with Carson Whisenhunt waiting in the wings in Triple-A, the organization even has talent waiting in the minor leagues that could be ready to go soon.

On Aug. 8, 2024, Doval allowed three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to the Nationals at their home venue, blowing his fifth save of the year and ballooning his ERA to 4.70. The following day, the Giants didn't just demote Doval from the closer role — they demoted him from the majors entirely. On Friday night, Doval stepped on that same mound. “It's been really impressive to see,” said catcher Patrick Bailey.

Kyle Harrison vs. Jake Irvin.

The San Francisco Giants revealed why they wore their black uniforms for Saturday's road game against the Washington Nationals.

The San Francisco Giants continue to play extremely well, and it has been in large part due to a surprise slugger stepping up. Coming into the year, San Francisco figured to be a team that would be relying on their starting rotation to carry them. While that unit does have some bright spots with Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, it has been the bullpen that has been one of the best in the league so far. For the last several campaigns, the batting order has been a massive issue for the Giants.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Kyle Harrison feels good about his first start of the season, but he certainly wishes he could have one pitch back.

The San Francisco Giants made a massive commitment to shortstop Willy Adames in the offseason, hoping he could help elevate the team to the next level. Expectations were high for Adames, who was coming off a career season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024. One of the most productive shortstops in baseball, the Giants were excited to add him to their left side next to third baseman Matt Chapman, another impact performer. Through 50 games and 221 plate appearances, he has a .214/.294/.352 slash line with an OPS+ of 86.

Landen Roupp pitched into the seventh inning, Jung Hoo Lee had two hits and scored two runs, and the San Francisco Giants beat Washington 4-0 on Friday night, ending the Nationals' five-game winning streak. Roupp (3-3) allowed five hits, struck out two and walked two before leaving after allowing a double and a walk to start the seventh. Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore (2-5) also pitched in the seventh.

Left-hander Kyle Harrison will make his first start of the season for the San Francisco Giants when they play the second contest of their three-game series at the Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon. Harrison, 23, steps into the spot usually filled by Justin Verlander, who was placed on the 15-day injured listed this week with right pectoral soreness. All 31 of Harrison's major league appearances over his first two seasons were starts. This season, Harrison (0-0, 3.38 ERA) has appeared in four games, all in relief.

San Francisco Giants (30-21, second in the NL West) vs. Washington Nationals (23-28, fourth in the NL East) Washington; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Kyle Harrison (0-0, 3.38 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, seven strikeouts); Nationals: Jake Irvin (3-1, 3.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 40 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Giants -141, Nationals +119; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants face the Washington Nationals with a 1-0 series lead. Washington is 23-28 overall and 12-13 at home. The Nationals have an 18-8 record in games when they record at least eight hits. San Francisco is 30-21 overall and 13-12 in road games. The Giants rank seventh in the NL with 53 total home

San Francisco Giants (30-21, second in the NL West) vs. Washington Nationals (23-28, fourth in the NL East) Washington; Saturday, 4:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Kyle Harrison (0-0, 3.38 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, seven strikeouts); Nationals: Jake Irvin (3-1, 3.88 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 40 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Giants -141, Nationals +119; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants face the Washington Nationals with a 1-0 series lead. Washington is 23-28 overall and 12-13 at home. The Nationals have an 18-8 record in games when they record at least eight hits. San Francisco is 30-21 overall and 13-12 in road games. The Giants rank seventh in the NL with 53 total home

Giants v. Nationals: a story told in relief

Kyle Harrison is back in the rotation. The Giants announced before their game against the Washington Nationals on Friday that Harrison will start on Saturday in place of Justin Verlander, who was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 19) this week with a right pec strain. San Francisco also recalled right-hander Tristan Beck from Triple-A Sacramento to take Verlander's place on the active roster. “I'm super excited to go out and compete,” Harrison said.

The Washington Nationals announced a paid attendance of 19,195 on Friday night at Nationals Park. It's unclear how many of those in attendance were Giants fans, but there were more than enough — especially behind the third-base dugout — to start “Let's go Giants” chants in the lower bowl. Landen Roupp pitched six-plus shutout innings, and the Giants' offense jumped on the Nationals' bullpen once starter MacKenzie Gore left the ballgame with an injury in the seventh inning as San Francisco beat Washington 4-0.

All Times EDT East Division W L Pct GB Philadelphia 32 18 .640 — New York 30 20 .600 2 Atlanta 24 26 .480 8 Washington 23 28 .451 9½ Miami 19 29 .396 12 Central Division W L Pct GB Chicago 30 20 .600 — St. Louis 27 23 .540 3 Cincinnati 25 26 .490 5½ Milwaukee 25 26 .490 5½ Pittsburgh 17 34 .333 13½ West Division W L Pct GB Los Angeles 31 19 .620 — San Francisco 30 21 .588 1½ San Diego 28 21 .571 2½ Arizona 26 24 .520 5 Colorado 8 42 .160 23 Thursday's Games Toronto 7, San Diego 6, 11 innings Philadelphia 2, Colorado 0 Milwaukee 8, Pittsburgh 5 Washington 8, Atlanta 7, 10 innings Friday's Games San Francisco 4, Washington 0 San Diego 2, Atlanta 1 Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati, 6:40 p.m. Milwaukee

The San Francisco Giants hope to not miss starting pitcher Justin Verlander for too long after he landed on the 15-day injured list with a mild pectoral strain. While Verlander has an encouraging trajectory to return, and the injury isn't related to the neck problems that largely kept him out last season, it still leaves a void in the starting rotation while he misses his next two starts. Giants manager Bob Melvin hasn't decided on a plan to fill that slot, and there are certainly tested options in the bullpen to call upon. Certainly, Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks are serviceable options to get through two starts.

Landen Roupp pitched into the seventh inning, Jung Hoo Lee had two hits and scored two runs, and the San Francisco Giants beat Washington 4-0 on Friday night, ending the Nationals' five-game winning streak. Roupp (3-3) allowed five hits, struck out two and walked two before leaving after allowing a double and a walk to start the seventh. Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore (2-5) also pitched in the seventh.

The Washington Nationals announced a paid attendance of 19,195 on Friday night at Nationals Park. It's unclear how many of those in attendance were Giants fans, but there were more than enough — especially behind the third-base dugout — to start “Let's go Giants” chants in the lower bowl. Landen Roupp pitched six-plus shutout innings, his second straight outing of at least six frames, and the bullpen combined for three scoreless innings as San Francisco beat Washington 4-0. After walking Jung Hoo Lee on five pitches to lead off the seventh inning, Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore left the game alongside a trainer in the middle of a plate appearance against Matt Chapman due to an apparent injury.

The San Francisco Giants have several spots in their lineup that are not living up to expectations at the plate. Catcher Patrick Bailey has an OPS+ of 46, the worst of any positional player who has taken an at-bat with the team this season. The next lowest OPS+ in the starting lineup belongs to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr., who is much more replaceable than Bailey is. Thus far in 2025, Wade has been able to remain healthy, but he is giving the team nothing in the form of positive production.

The San Francisco Giants have cooled off a bit over the past several weeks following their scorching hot start to the season. One player who has begun to reverse his fortunes at the plate after a slow start, though, is veteran third-baseman Matt Chapman. Coming off a stellar first year in the bay, the now 32-year-old was expected to play a key role on both offense and defense for the Giants. All of that has changed over the last week however, as Chapman has begun to hit his stride with the bat in his hands.