San Francisco’s slide kept rolling with a season-high seven straight losses, the kind of slump that turns a hopeful season into gravity pulling everything downward. The latest setback came in a Friday-night tilt against the Rays, even as Justin Verlander fired a vintage 7-inning gem with eight punchouts. The offense couldn’t string enough hits together, and the bullpen surrendered a late lead, stalling any chance at a comeback and intensifying questions about SF’s lineup and closer reliability.

In Tampa Bay, the script flipped just enough to secure the win. Willy Adames started the visitors’ rally with a sharp single and a daring steal, while Yandy Díaz pushed the offense with timely hits. The Rays’ bullpen held firm late, amplifying the fantasy signal: Verlander remains a high-end starter in the right matchups, while Giants bats look unattractive options in forthcoming menus. The clash underscored how a pitching duel can still hinge on late-inning execution and how hot Rays players can swing the momentum in tight games.

Fantasy takeaway: treat Verlander as a go-to option in favorable matchups, especially against teams with SF’s recent skid. Rays assets like Adames and Díaz emerge as appealing daily plays when their opponent’s bullpen is vulnerable. Giants stacks carry elevated risk until the offense finds a rhythm, while Rays hitters may offer smart dfs leverage as the club tilts toward a potential turning point.

San Francisco’s home slide continued as the Giants were blown out 11-1 by San Diego, a game that underscored a brutal run at Oracle Park where 13 of 14 at-home tilts have gone the wrong way. A seven-run second inning set the tone, capped by a ball that nicked second, skipped past Willy Adames’ glove, and opened the door for a Padres onslaught. Heliot Ramos made a costly throwing miscue that allowed another run, a moment highlighted in real time by the broadcast crew.

Mike Krukow and Dave Flemming did not mince words, calling parts of the proceedings “unbelievable” and “ugly,” while Duane Kuiper reminded listeners of the need to respect the paying crowd and still find something to cheer about. The trio carried a Postgame Wrap that captured a fan base increasingly vocal about the product on the field. Attendance hovered around 35,000 as the Giants head to the table for a Friday matchup with the Rays, offering a glimmer of a turnaround opportunity amid the frustration.

The San Francisco Giants host the New York Mets tonight, with the Mets looking to extend their four-game winning streak. Despite this momentum, they are underdogs against Giants' ace Logan Webb. San Francisco's offense has found its rhythm lately, crucial for their wild-card push. Betting strategies include backing Willy Adames for over 1.5 total bases, given his recent surge, while placing a bet against Pete Alonso’s performance under 1.5 total bases.

Adames is on fire with 12 extra-base hits this month, boasting a .318 batting average. Conversely, Alonso's current struggles, particularly against Webb, could make him a risky bet. The game could see over 6.5 runs as both teams have shown offensive potential despite their starters faltering. Tonight’s matchup promises excitement, with both teams looking to solidify their playoff positions.

As the MLB season heats up, key player prop bets emerge for July 22. One standout is Willy Adames of the San Francisco Giants, who is projected for over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI against the Atlanta Braves. After a strong performance against the Braves recently, Adames looks poised to continue his momentum.

Eduardo Rodriguez faces a tough challenge against the Houston Astros, with odds favoring him to allow over 2.5 earned runs given his recent struggles. In addition, Victor Caratini's consistent hitting makes him a solid pick for over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI, particularly against Rodriguez's shaky pitching.