Baseball, just like life, is unpredictable. Anything can happen. And just because a team looks stacked on paper doesn’t mean it will deliver on the field. But is it really too much to expect the San Francisco Giants to step up this year? While MLB analyst Ben Verlander has made a bold call in their favor, fans aren’t so convinced. Given that the NL West is an unforgiving battlefield featuring the Dodgers, Padres, and D-Backs, what exactly qualifies as a “better” season for the Giants?

The Giants wrapped up 2024 with a lackluster 80-82 record—technically an improvement from 2023’s 79-83, but hardly meaningful. Why? Because for the third straight year, they missed the playoffs. Now, they’ve taken a drastic step, firing longtime president Farhan Zaidi and handing the reins to franchise legend Buster Posey. But will it change anything? MLB insider Jim Bowden isn’t buying it. “It won’t be as much as fans were likely hoping,” he said. Still, that hasn’t stopped Verlander from keeping the faith.

“Call me crazy. Call me a homer. I think the San Francisco Giants can be pretty dang good this year,” Verlander shared over his X handle. That’s truly a bold prediction for the team. His prediction got further traction, considering his brother Justin Verlander is going to pitch for the Giants this year. So, is Ben Verlander biased toward the Giants, or can the team pull off a miracle this year? Anyway it is, the fans seem not to accept Verlander’s prediction.

Fans are not on the same page with Verlander

Despite playing in baseball’s most difficult division, the Giants have enough talent to compete for a postseason berth. However, one fan seemed to be good with the Giants, just better than the Rockies. What about the other teams in the division? The Dodgers will be too hard to beat this year, considering their star-studded lineup. The Padres with Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. are contending for a playoff berth. They were in second place last year. The D-Backs with Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen as the starters, the Giants have an uphill task this year.

Is Verlander crazy? A user thinks so. His prediction, though, looks crazy. However, what if their most expensive buy, Willy Adames, shines as the shortstop? The Giants can have a strong left side with Adames and Matt Chapman. Well, the probability is there, but betting on a team that lost six of the last seven seasons from getting into a postseason is a risky affair for the fans.

An enthusiast asked about who will be on the offense for the Giants this year. Well, the Giants got the rookie Hunter Bishop in his first full year in MLB. If the spring is concerned, he is hitting at .573 OPS. Jerar Encarnacion can be added as a DH who is coming up with a .702 OPS from last year. In contrast, the Dodgers got Shohei Ohtani coming up with a 1.036 OPS from last year! Indeed a crazy prediction by Verlander.

This year, it is a safe bet for anyone to support the Dodgers. A fan requested the same for Verlander. While it sounds sarcastic, the crazy prediction on the Giants doesn’t sit well with the fans than just betting on the Dodgers. However, the addition of Justin Verlander to the Giants this year may be making a strong case for Ben. The 5.48 ERA and 74 strikeouts of Justin from last year are good numbers to hope for a better season this time.

A good take from a fan. Verlander predicted a better season this year. That’s a call for an improvement from last year’s figures. Even going above the 80 wins will prove Verlander’s prediction true. With Chapman, Adames, and Justin Verlander in place, this much hope is justified and achievable. Still, what if the Giants defy the odds?

The chance of an underdog upsetting a top-ranked team is what makes baseball beautiful. The next few months will prove if the Giants can make this statement true.

Do you think the Giants can go bigger this year? Let us know in the comment section below.