Logan Webb was eight-years-old when Justin Verlander made his major-league debut on July 4, 2005. An A's fan growing up, Webb dreaded watching Verlander torment his childhood team during the playoffs. “I didn't like him for a couple days,” Webb said with a smile. Come Saturday, Webb will get to sit back and enjoy Verlander's first start as a Giant, the beginning of the latest chapter in a Hall of Fame career.

Logan Webb was eight-years-old when Justin Verlander made his major-league debut on July 4, 2005. An A's fan growing up, Webb dreaded watching Verlander torment his childhood team during the playoffs. “I didn't like him for a couple days,” Webb said with a smile. Come Saturday, Webb will get to sit back and enjoy Verlander's first start as a Giant, the beginning of the latest chapter in a Hall of Fame career.

The San Francisco Giants tied a rather unique MLB record on Opening Day.

The San Francisco Giants are hoping their dip into an old era of the franchise on the field can help lead the team back to prominence. When they take the field for Opening Day against the Cincinnati Reds, it will be the dawn of a new era. Former catcher Buster Posey, who helped the team win three World Series titles as a player, was hired as president of baseball operations at the beginning of the offseason. Since his retirement as a player following the 2021 campaign, the Giants have not made it back to the postseason.

When the Giants lined up at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, two of their best young starting pitchers were announced. Kyle Harrison will start the season with Triple-A Sacramento, but the Giants still believe he'll have plenty of opportunities to start games at the big league level this season. President of baseball operations Buster Posey said before the opener that right now they want the lefty to focus on his development. "We think the world of Kyle," Posey said.

Without a designated closer such as injured Alexis Diaz, Reds manager Terry Francona must sort out the back end of his bullpen moving forward

Without a designated closer such as injured Alexis Diaz, Reds manager Terry Francona must sort out the back end of his bullpen moving forward

San Francisco Giants' Heliot Ramos (17) homers celebrates his two-run homer with Jung Hoo Lee (51) in the fourth inning of an opening-day baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Thursday, March, 27, 2025, in Cincinnati. AP Photo | Carolyn Kaster CINCINNATI (AP) — Wilmer Flores hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, and the San Francisco Giants rallied for a 6-4 victory over Cincinnati on Thursday, spoiling Terry Francona's debut as Reds manager. The Giants scored four runs in the ninth off Ian Gibaut (0-1). Patrick Bailey's base hit to right-center tied it at 3-all before Flores drove a hanging sweeper into the left-field stands. Heliot Ramos had a two-run homer for San Francisco

For eight innings, the Reds seemed in control on Opening Day. Then, the run was swept out from under them. Despite the loss, Terry Francona's club looks like it'll be okay in 2025.

Wilmer Flores was never himself last season. Thursday, that faith was rewarded in the form of a go-ahead, three-run home run that delivered a 6-4 Opening Day win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. One game does not make a season, but if for just a day, San Francisco's conviction in Flores is paying dividends. “He's built for those moments,” said left fielder Heliot Ramos, the Giants' 19th consecutive Opening Day outfielder in the last 19 years.

The San Francisco Giants got their season started off on the right foot with a thrilling 6-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on the road for Opening Day on Thursday. Though the Giants will not play again until Saturday, the elation of the exciting win should carry fans from Thursday afternoon all the way through the 48 hours until they can see their team play again. For San Francisco, it was the late heroics from one of their veterans — designated hitter Wilmer Flores — which carried them to victory, blasting a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to give his team the lead: WILMER FLORES GOT YOU! https://t.co/gDfCyCd0BV pic.twitter.com/1PZMii4aY1 — SFGiants (@SFGiants) March 27,

Williams: On Opening Day, the Reds overall didn't play like the 2024 Reds. Then they needed one more out, a tough reminder their margin remains thin.

Williams: On Opening Day, the Reds overall didn't play like the 2024 Reds. Then they needed one more out, a tough reminder their margin remains thin.

Wilmer Flores was never himself last season. Thursday, that faith was rewarded in the form of a go-ahead, three-run home run that delivered a 6-4 Opening Day win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. One game does not make a season, but if for just a day, San Francisco's conviction in Flores is paying dividends. “He's built for those moments,” said left fielder Heliot Ramos, the Giants' 19th consecutive Opening Day outfielder in the last 19 years.

Heliot Ramos became the 19th player to start in left field for the San Francisco Giants over the past 19 season openers, and the move paid off when he homered against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. In the fourth inning, Ramos got to a full count against Reds starter Hunter Greene and then fouled off five straight pitches before lofting a two-run homer to right field, cutting the Giants' deficit to 3-2.

Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants opened his sophomore campaign in the majors by scoring twice in his team's victory. Batting from the No. 3 spot, Lee went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts but also drew two walks and scored two runs as the Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Thursday. The 2025 season officially began March 18 with a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs on March 18, but the 28 other clubs had their Opening Day on Thursday. Lee struck out swinging against starter Hunter Greene in the top of the first but drew his first walk with one out in the fourth.

Only one thing will make the San Francisco Giants' 2025 season a success. Of course, a winning season and the team's first trip to the playoffs since 2021 would be nice, but this Giants' season will be appropriately judged strictly by the conversation around the team. If in two, four, and six months we're talking about the Giants on the field—and not the former player at the helm of the front office or the future players in the farm system—you can consider this season a victory. Perhaps Thursday's season opener in Cincinnati is a step in the right direction towards that.

Only one thing will make the San Francisco Giants' 2025 season a success. Of course, a winning season and the team's first trip to the playoffs since 2021 would be nice, but this Giants' season will be appropriately judged strictly by the conversation around the team. If in two, four, and six months we're talking about the Giants on the field—and not the former player at the helm of the front office or the future players in the farm system—you can consider this season a victory. Perhaps Thursday's season opener in Cincinnati is a step in the right direction towards that.

Terry Francona: "I do what I think's right. Answer questions. And then be confident enough to move on. And not run to see how I'm being perceived."

SPORTS Reds face the Giants for Opening Day, see photos Cara Owsley Sam Greene Phil Didion San Francisco Giants third base Matt Chapman (26) celebrates after making a run in the 9th inning over the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park Thursday, March 27, 2025. The Giants won 6-4. Cara Owsley/The Enquirer Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) removes the hat of Cincinnati Reds shortstop Matt McLain (9) during the pregame ceremonies on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park Thursday, March 27, 2025. Cara Owsley/The Enquirer Cincinnati Reds fans cheer as Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (27) makes a catch in the outfield against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day