The San Francisco Giants have experienced a dramatic decline in performance during the second half of the 2025 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB season, sliding well out of playoff contention after showing promise at the All-Star break. Among the team’s difficulties, Justin Verlander’s ongoing struggles with run support stand out, emphasizing how even his solid pitching has not been enough to halt the franchise’s downward spiral.
Giants’ Downward Trend Following Early Optimism
Heading into the All-Star break, the Giants remained a hopeful contender in the National League, fueled by the high-profile acquisition of Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox. Expectations were high that San Francisco could finally end their playoff drought with the addition of such a talented hitter. However, the team’s direction soon reversed, and poor results after the trade deadline forced the Giants to transition from buyers to sellers.
The decision to sell at the deadline was driven by a dismal stretch after the break, which saw San Francisco become one of baseball’s worst-performing teams in recent weeks. Even if the Giants had remained aggressive in acquiring talent, it is unlikely their fortunes would have improved significantly given how poorly the roster has played. The team now appears to be focusing on developing younger players to lay a foundation for the 2026 season and beyond.
Justin Verlander’s Role and Performance with the Giants
Justin Verlander joined the Giants on a one-year contract during the offseason, seeking to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season with the Houston Astros and chase personal milestones such as nearing 300 career wins. Despite pitching better than the previous year, Verlander’s statistics reflect the challenges he faces at this stage of his career. He holds a 1-9 win-loss record paired with a 4.23 ERA, numbers that are not typical of his earlier dominance but still indicate he remains an effective starter.
Much of Verlander’s losing record can be attributed to factors beyond his control. The right-hander has received extremely poor offensive support during his starts, ranking second-worst in baseball for run support. Additionally, the Giants’ bullpen has repeatedly failed to hold leads in games he has pitched, blowing the lead six times and costing Verlander multiple potential wins.
“Justin Verlander threw seven shutout innings but won’t get his second win as a Giant. He has the second-worst run support in baseball and the bullpen just blew a lead for the sixth time in a Verlander start.” —Alex Pavlovic, Sports Columnist
Verlander’s quest for his 300th win has been hampered not only by the lack of offensive backing but also by concerns about his advancing age and durability. Nevertheless, his ability to deliver consistent performances places him firmly as a middle-of-the-rotation starter who can still contribute meaningfully to the Giants’ pitching staff.
Looking Ahead: What Justin Verlander’s Future Might Hold
With his current contract set for only one year, Verlander’s long-term future with the Giants remains uncertain. The organization is clearly in a rebuilding phase, prioritizing the evaluation of younger talent with an eye toward the 2026 season. Still, the presence of a future Hall of Famer like Verlander offers the team leadership and experience during a challenging stretch.
As the Giants continue to navigate their slump, Verlander’s performance, though marked by poor team results, underscores his personal resilience and ability to keep pitching at a high level despite adversity. His situation encapsulates the broader struggles facing the franchise as they attempt to return to competitiveness in Major League Baseball.