SF Giants: What we know, what we want to learn about the 2020 team

SAN FRANCISCO -- Ten games into a 60-game season, the Giants are beginning to develop an identity. An offense fueled by unlikely standouts, Mike Yastrzemski and Donovan Solano, is showing resiliency and the ability to expose opponents' bullpens. A pitching staff filled with inexperienced and unproven talent has enjoyed moments of dominance and extended periods where strike zone command proves evasive. In a 9-5 loss to the Rangers on Sunday, the Giants' lineup overcame an early four-run deficit thanks to home runs from third baseman Evan Longoria and catcher Chadwick Tromp before its bullpen melted down in a brutal top of the seventh. In his 2020 season debut, right-hander Andrew Triggs walked three consecutive batters before lefty Tyler Anderson entered and made a location mistake with an 0-2 fastball to Rangers slugger Joey Gallo. Gallo sent the pitch over the 415-foot sign on the wall in Triples Alley, putting the game out of reach for an offense that scored 38 runs during a six-game homestand at a ballpark that's historically ranked among the most pitcher-friendly in baseball. Through their first 10 games, Giants hitters are outperforming expectations while Giants pitchers are still battling some inconsistencies. First-year manager Gabe Kapler has used about half of his staff in consistent roles while others including relievers such as Shaun Anderson, Rico Garcia and Conner Menez have appeared in several different types of situations. It's too soon to make any firm evaluations on what the 2020 Giants team is capable of, but the club is now entering a portion of the schedule where some of the sloppy mistakes we've seen could really haunt players. Coors Field is unforgiving to pitchers while Dodger Stadium, the second stop on a three-city road trip, is home to a team that's 5-1 in its six games since the Giants left town. The Giants will finish their road trip in Houston to play a loaded Astros club that's dealing with several pitching injuries, but still boasts one of the best lineups in the American League. Things can spiral out of control quickly in a 60-game season and the Giants know their longest road trip of the year represents a daunting challenge.