The season is winding down, which can only mean one thing: it’s time for the greatest hits to be replayed. It happens in every baseball season, good, bad, or mediocre. September arrives on the calendar, and the team starts reprising all the things that made the season what it was.
On Tuesday, the San Francisco Giants broke out two of their biggest hits: a bullpen that shivers at the sight of having to throw meaningful pitches, and an offense that covers its eyes at an opportunity for some situational
success. And, predictably, they saved these greatest hits for the end of the show, to reward their loyal fans for sticking around for the full set.
That greatest hit on offense that you’ve heard all year? It took place in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Grant McCray led off the inning with a walk, Christian Koss followed up with a single, and then Jonah Cox laid down a delightful bunt that the St. Louis Cardinals mangled, by attempting to get an out at third base when they had no chance to do so.
The bases were loaded. There were zero outs. The hottest hitter in all of baseball, Rafael Devers, was up to bat. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, you’ve heard this song before. That’s why they’re called the greatest hits.
Devers struck out. Then Bryce Eldridge struck out. Then the pinch-hitter, Jung Hoo Lee, lined out. And the rally was over, with nothing to show for it.
That greatest hit on offense prompted the greatest hit on the mound. Carson Seymour took his spot for the eighth inning and issued a leadoff walk on just five pitches. He got one out, then threw a wild pitch and issued a second walk.
This is nothing new, of course.
Joel Kuhnel was the pitcher on the mound when the ninth started, after he recorded the final out. Kuhnel, one of the newest Giants, who was available to the team only because the Milwaukee Brewers designated him for assignment, after he was made available to them only after the Athletics designated him for assignment, after he was made available to them because no one signed him so they were able to give him a Minor League deal until they had a pressing need.
On for the ninth.
He got two quick outs and then gave up two quick singles which, combined with a defensive indifference, put a run across the plate.
Again: you’ve heard this song before. We’ve all heard it before. Why we keep listening is the real question.
And so it must be reiterated: nothing I’ve said has surprised you. The Giants loaded the bases with no outs and didn’t score? Not remotely shocking. The bullpen kept putting runners on base and displaying zero put-away pitches? Not even a single hair on your eyebrow is raised.
So here’s the part that will surprise you: the Giants won.
Yes, that squandering of an opportunity in the seventh inning left the Giants with a wholly uncomfortable 2-0 lead, but it was a 2-0 lead nonetheless. And yes, Seymour got in trouble in the eighth, but Kuhnel got out of the inning. And yes, Kuhnel himself got into trouble in the ninth, which included seeing the lead cut in half while the tying run reached scoring position, but he got out of it in the end.
And the Giants won 2-1.
They did it with what they hope is a preview of future greatest hits albums: with home runs and a scoreless start.
Landen Roupp has not been at his sharpest in some time, but for the second outing in a row, he gutted through it remarkably. Roupp wasn’t finding the strike zone regularly or fooling anyone, as he threw just 47 of 81 pitches for strikes and worked a mere six swinging strikes on the day. The result? Four walked batters, with just two strikeouts. Not a recipe for success.
But success nonetheless, when those walks are paired with just two hits — both singles — spaced out over six innings. And doubly so when those six baserunners are at least partially negated by a pair of double plays. And so it was that Roupp, despite clearly not having his best stuff, found himself getting his hugs after six innings with a moderate pitch count, zero runs on the board, and in line for a victory, should his bullpen be able to hang onto it.
The offense, meanwhile, said to heck with those silly rallies. Sure, they went 0-5 with runners in scoring position, but who needs timely hits when your name is Bryce Eldridge and you smack stunning oppo tacos?
Who needs situation at-bats when your name is Christian Koss who, against all odds, has turned into a slugger this week?
The greatest hits for the 2026 season are already written and recorded. The bullpen’s struggles and the inability to cash in on a tailor-made rally are on that album; a six-inning, no-run start and multiple home runs are not.
It’s never too early to start writing next year’s songs.
