San Francisco Giants v San Diego Padres | Sean M. Haffey/GettyImages

The SF Giants lineup managed to scratch three runs across the plate against left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland in Thursday night’s 4-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies. While that is not bad output, it has been more of the exception as they have struggled badly against southpaw pitchers in 2025.

SF Giants lineup is struggling badly in unexpected matchup area

On paper, you might not expect this. After all, the Giants have a right-handed-heavy lineup that they have been deploying on a consistent basis. They are not leveraging platoon matchups as much as they have been in the past.

Nevertheless, this is a lineup that should be performing better against left-handed pitchers. After all, the Giants would seemingly have the platoon advantage with Heliot Ramos, Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, Wilmer Flores, and Tyler Fitzgerald. Of course, Fitzgerald is expected to miss some time after suffering a rib fracture.

On the year, the Giants have registered a .220/.285/.369 line (85 wRC+) against left-handed pitching. That sits right in the middle, which is not a terrible placement, but this is a team that should seemingly thrive against left-handed pitching.

They have fared better against right-handed pitchers, as they have posted a .698 OPS in those matchups in 2025. That is still on the lower end in baseball, which highlights that the lineup is a below-average unit.

They have had some extreme performances from Jung Hoo Lee and Mike Yastrzemski on the favorable side. On the other hand, Willy Adames, Patrick Bailey, and LaMonte Wade Jr. have put together unfavorable numbers on the other extreme.

Lee, Fitzgerald, and Matt Chapman have been excellent in matchups against left-handed pitchers in 2025. On the other hand, Yastrzemski, Bailey, and Adames have all struggled badly in these matchups.

Bailey and Yastrzemski likely should be limited in matchups against left-handed pitching. However, Yastrzemski’s platoon mate, Luis Matos, has posted a .308 OPS in those matchups this season. The veteran outfielder has done most of his damage against right-handed pitching, but he plays a good right field, so he will be in the lineup against lefty pitchers more often than not.

Adames has taken the most at-bats against southpaw pitchers, but he has registered a .339 OPS in those matchups this season. Admittedly, these are all small samples, so it is tough to put any weight into the numbers yet. Adames has been better against lefties throughout his career, posting a .681 OPS across eight seasons.

While the offense needs to show improvement on all fronts, it is mildly surprising that they have not performed better against lefties in 2025. It highlights the need for some level of platooning, especially at catcher and right field, but those positions offer a lot of defensive value, too.