Where have you gone, San Francisco Giants offense?

Sep 7, 2023, 9:40 AM

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Thairo Estrada #39 of the San Francisco Giants walks back to the dugo...

(Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

Scoring runs is an important part of baseball.

In fact, some might argue that scoring runs is the most essential part of baseball. For the San Francisco Giants, scoring runs has been a tall order for an offense that needs help finding its footing.

Unfortunately for the Giants, no help is walking through that door.

As of September 7th, San Francisco (70-70) has lost six straight games (seven of their past eight) while nose-diving out of a National League Wild Card spot.

During their ongoing losing streak, the Giants have scored a measly 2.3 runs per game, which comes in twice below the 2023 MLB average of 4.6 runs per contest.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 15: Mike Yastrzemski #5 of the San Francisco Giants tosses away his batting helmet after striking out in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 15, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

San Francisco has not looked right since the beginning of August, and the offensive numbers support the eye test.

The Giants have averaged 3.5 runs per game since August 1st (32 games) while batting .226 as a team during a stretch that has seen San Francisco lose 21 of 32 contests.

Returning players like Mike Yastrzemski (.222 avg) and Mitch Haniger (.100 avg) have struggled since returning from the injured list seven games ago, while other players like Brandon Crawford continue to struggle at the plate.

Normally reliant players like Thairo Estrada (.226 over the past 13 games) and Joc Pederson (one home run since July 28th) have faltered at the plate in recent weeks, leaving the Giants without an offensive punch at the top of the order.

Michael Conforto (hamstring) and Patrick Bailey (concussion) are both on the injured list, meaning players like Luis Matos and Joey Bart will get at-bats while the two starters work their way back to the active roster.

Although San Francisco has hit near the Mendoza line as a team over the past month, they will play seven of their next ten games against the Colorado Rockies–a team that currently holds Major League Baseball’s worst ERA at 5.63 on the season.

J.D. goes DEEP 💥 pic.twitter.com/A4Awx7tMv4

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) September 6, 2023

Over six matchups against the Rockies this season, San Francisco has hit .273 as a team and scored 4.8 runs per game.

If the Giants can replicate that production during this weekend’s series at Oracle Park, they can begin its climb from 2.5 games out of the third and final National League Wild Card spot.

San Francisco still has time to turn things around, but it has to start against Colorado this weekend–especially against a pitching staff that has allowed the most runs in baseball this season.