Hunter Pence: Giants Early Struggles, Playing in Oracle

Former San Francisco Giants World Series Champion Hunter Pence joined The Drive Guys to discuss their slow start to the season, playing in Oracle, and more.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

May 7, 2026, 7:21 PM

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The San Francisco Giants are off to a tough start this season, and a key member of the former World Series championship teams joined The Drive Guys to share his perspective on their slow start, their brand-new manager, and more.

Kevin “Whitey” Gleason and Allen Stiles spoke with Hunter Pence, who played eight seasons with the Giants and won two World Series in 2012 and 2014.

Currently sitting at 14-32, last in the National League West Division, the former player gave his perspective on their season.

“I’m pretty shell-shocked, I guess is the word to describe it,” Pence said about San Francisco’s slow start.

“Because when we went into this season, there’s no doubt this is one of the most veteran lineups that you’re like, oh, we have a deep lineup. We have guys that have hit for years, that are expected to hit, that have done really well, and they’re just a lot of these guys are really cold.”

At this point, bouncing back to reach the postseason via the wild card is not out of the question, but calming fans by calling it early in the season feels unfair. Pence also shared his perspective on the mental effect playing in Oracle Park, a known pitcher’s park, can have on struggling hitters.

“It is a massive mental, almost like crippling mental, to play at Oracle Park every day when you just come in,” Pence said. “You haven’t been beaten down by crushing the ball and getting out, where you’re questioning switching your swing.”

With plenty of talented players on their roster, San Francisco still has time to turn their season around, but making the switch sooner rather than later will be essential if they want to have a shot at making the MLB postseason with their talented, expierenced roster of hitters.

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

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