Series preview: SF Giants vs. KC Royals, picks, probable pitchers, how to watch

It's Opening Day in San Francisco, and the Giants are coming off a thundering victory against the White Sox. Can they keep it up against the KC Royals?

The SF Giants return from a 6-game road trip to ring in "Opening Day" at Oracle Park. They're 3-3, but they sport one of the strangest .500 records in recent memory. In their losses, they've scored 3 total runs - good for one measly run per game. But in their wins, they've been nothing short of obliterative, averaging 11.6 runs per game. 

Can the Giants keep up their freakish offensive explosion back by the Bay, or will they cough up a few more shutouts and double-digit strikeout games? We've got you covered with 3 players to keep an eye on, a series prediction, and how to watch.

Players to Watch

1. Mike Yastrzemski was washed, done, needed to be DFA'd. Anything you could think of along those lines was probably said about Yaz after a dismal 3-for-25 Spring Training followed his .214/.305/.697 slash line last year. But rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated; in the first two series of the year, Yaz has crushed two home runs and three doubles. He seems to be back in a big way, which would be huge for a Giants team that leaned heavily on his performance during their 2021 playoff run. If Yaz stays right, this summer could get a lot more fun.
2. Don't look now, but the Giants' most consistent hitter is none other than Thairo Estrada. He's the Giants' qualified leader in batting average (.409) and OPS (1.026), and fills a massive hole in the middle of the infield, alternating between second base and shortstop. He's also got two stolen bases on the year already, and with the Giants back at home, he could get another pair. He's currently on pace for 54, which would be the most by any Giants position player since Hickashaw "Wheels" Henderson hit .112/.406/.116 with 103 steals in 1874*. 
3. After an extreme offensive outpouring, it's only fair that the final spot goes to Michael Conforto, who cracked a pair of big home runs back in Chicago. That series was a huge step for him in terms of getting comfortable operating in the heart of the Giants' lineup, given that he displayed both power and patience (four walks in three games against the White Sox). With Mitch Haniger still on the shelf, Conforto gives Giants' fans their first up-close look at one of the offseason's big free agent acquisitions.

*source: probably

SF Giants outfielder Michael Conforto practices a swing against the Chicago White Sox / © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Series Predictions

JD Salazar: Giants drop a pair against Kansas City. After starting the season with a bit too much optimism, I swung the other way with another 1-2 prediction against Chicago. That obviously didn't age so well. But as volatile as the Giants have been, there's no way to truly predict what happens in their home Opening Day series. I don't think we'll continue to see wild results like 15-strikeout shutouts or 10-run outbursts, but I'm putting the onus on San Francisco to show me that they can play with a bit more consistency. I'm only half-expecting them to sweep and make me look like a complete doofus.

Series Details:

Who: SF Giants vs. Kansas City Royals
Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
When: 4/7 (1:35 PM PT), 4/8 (1:05 PM PT), 4/9 (1:05 AM PT).

Projected starters: Alex Cobb vs. Brad Keller (4/7), TBD vs. Brady Singer (4/8), TBD vs. Kris Bubic* (4/9)
*Indicates LHP

How to watch:

• Giants broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area (except 4/1), KNBR 680/1510 AM
• Royals broadcast: Bally Sports KC, KCSP 610
• National broadcasts: MLB Network (4/9)