It has been a rough three weeks. All the confidence we had in the mathemagical system came crashing down in consecutive series losses to the Reds, White Sox and Diamondbacks – all teams that are playing under .500. The Giants looked like they were stampeding to the middle.

But, like the Dodgers sweep at home a month ago, the Giants keep showing glimpses of brilliance in bounce back performances against key opponents in the NL West. Yesterday the frustration of two weeks of poor hitting exploded into twelve runs and Alex Wood pitched a brilliant game. Wilmer Flores had four hits in six ABs and batted in four runs. Thairo Estrada and David Villar both hit two-run dingers. Mike Yastrzemski smashed an RBI triple. It was such a relief. Giants 12, Padres 0. boom.

The previous night the Giants managed to support an amazing complete game effort by Carlos Rodón

It was a stand-up performance during a stretch when the team was suffering. Giants 3, Padres 1.

The Giants managed to split the series down in San Diego with these great wins by Rodón and Wood. They are amidst the Gauntlet II, seventeen games in seventeen days, the longest consecutive game stretch of the season. They have lost seven of the first ten games of this stretch. Ouch.

However, we come home now – and this homestand before the All-Star break will define the Giants season. If we can sweep the Diamondbacks today through Wednesday, and take two of four from Milwaukee, we would end the Gauntlet (8 – 9). We have a shot at (9 – 8) or even (10 – 7), which would turn the season around. It’s time to go to the park. The guys need us.

Lets go Giants!

Wrangle the snakes!

Let’s win out the home stand of games before the all-star break.

Let’s gooooooo!