SF Giants home run curse may be broken this year, but it would have an asterisk

It's a well-known fact that that the SF Giants have not had a 30-home run hitter since 2004, when Barry Bonds hit 45 long-balls. Could that change this season, potentially with an asterisk, with Rafael Devers close to 30 homers?

This is one of those droughts that almost does not feel real. 25 out of MLB's 30 teams have had a 30-home-run hitter since 2021. The other four are the Rockies, Cubs, Nationals and Pirates, all of whom had a 30-home-run hitter in the juiced ball season of 2019.

SF Giants could have a 30-homer hitter this season but it may have an asterisk

Then there's the Giants, whose streak of 21 seasons without a 30-home run beats out the rest of the league by 15 years. In 2019, the year in which the rest of the league hit more home runs than ever, San Francisco's home run leader was Kevin Pillar, who hit 21.

It's not that the Giants have not come close. Brandon Belt hit 29 in 2021, Matt Chapman hit 27 in 2024 and Hunter Pence hit 27 in 2013.

Even crazier is that despite their lack of a premier power hitter, the Giants have won three World Series in their post-Bonds era. Clearly, it has not hurt the team too much.

Still, it would be nice to know the Giants are not cursed by Bonds, whose record-setting career in San Francisco was stained by accusations of steroid use. San Francisco is desperate to prove they are still capable of producing a power-hitter.

Enter Rafael Devers. The slugger has three 30-home run seasons to his name. Since 2019, he's averaged 33.8 home runs per 162 games. And this season, he's closing in on thirty. With 34 games remaining, Devers has hit 25 home runs. Steamer projects he'll hit six more, which would give him 31 on the season.

The question is, would it actually count for the Giants? Devers hit his first 15 longballs this season with the Boston Red Sox before he was traded to San Francisco. With that in mind, Giants fans might be conflicted over whether Devers' potential 30 home runs in 2025 would count for San Francisco, and if that means the Bonds curse is over.

Optimistic fans might take credit for Devers' success in 2025, but most would probably agree that any home runs Devers hit before coming to San Francisco do not count towards his quest to become the first Giant since Barry Bonds to hit 30 dingers in the Bay.

The Giants' official website makes things clearer. On the stats section, Devers is listed with 10 home runs, not 25.

Maybe Willy Adames could break the curse as he has been on a tear as of late and has the home run swing working. Still, he would need to have a power surge the rest of this season for that to happen so it seems unlikely.

Unfortunately for the Giants, they might just have to wait until next year to see their first 30-home-run season since 2004.

More from Around the Foghorn: