SF Giants could really have their first 30-homer hitter since Barry Bonds
This is the only thing to root for in the final week of the season.
With the SF Giants eliminated from the postseason, there is not much to root for in the final week of the season. The only thing to get excited about is the potential for Matt Chapman to reach 30 home runs on the season which no Giant has done since Barry Bonds.
It is no secret that 2024 has been a disappointment for the Giants. Entering the year with a revamped roster and new manager there were expectations that this team could reach the postseason. Unfortunately, a combination of injuries and inconsistent play prevented that from happening.
Matt Chapman has a chance for a 30-homer season
One of the highlights from the year has been free agent signing Matt Chapman. He has had a phenomenal year for the team both defensively and offensively. He is without question one of the best third basemen in all of baseball and his offensive numbers have been great as well. He is currently hitting .249/.330/.459 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI. His stellar year earned him a well-deserved 6-year $151 million contract extension that will keep him with the Giants for a long time.
He blasted two home runs on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals brining his total home run count to 26 on the season. With 7 games remaining in the season, it is certainly within the realm of possibility that Chapman could hit 4 more homers to reach 30.
No Giant since Barry Bonds has reached that milestone and it was 20 years ago in 2004 when he hit 45 home runs. Brandon Belt came up just short in 2021 when he hit 29 home runs. Chapman has a very legitimate chance to break this drought.
Of course, when Shohei Ohtani is over on the Dodgers hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases it can feel a little sad to be rooting for a Giant to finally hit 30 home runs in a season. But hey, like it or not this is the way things are. In a lost season, it is little victories like this or Heliot Ramos being the first right-handed hitter to hit a home run into McCovey Cove that keep you watching the team.
So let's hope that Chapman can continue his home run hitting ways and blast four more homers to end the year and finally break this 20-year drought.