Giants Have Hit Just 8 Home Runs in 16 Games and Cincinnati Might Be About to Pay the Price

San Francisco is starving for power at the plate. The Giants have the fewest home runs in all of baseball heading into Tuesday night's series opener against Cincinnati, and after getting swept at Baltimore over the weekend, they're desperate to find their offensive groove in the Great American Ball Park.

This is a matchup between two teams that can't seem to win where it counts. The Giants have dropped three of their last four on the road, while the Reds have lost four of their last five at home. San Francisco's offensive struggles are real and measurable: in those two losses to the Orioles, they managed just one home run total, a solo shot by Casey Schmitt in the ninth inning Sunday when they were already down five runs.

Robbie Ray Has Been the Bright Spot

Here's the thing though. Giants left-hander Robbie Ray (2-1, 2.08 ERA) has been a rock. The 34-year-old has limited the Mets and Phillies to two combined runs and six hits across 12 innings, and San Francisco's bats have rewarded him with run support in both outings. Ray put together a 7-2 win and a 6-0 shutout in those starts. All three of his appearances have come at home, and he's heading to Cincinnati for the first time this season.

Ray has history against the Reds: he's made eight career starts against them with a 3-2 record and a 4.42 ERA. He's given up six home runs across those six starts at Great American Ball Park, but somehow he's gone 3-1 in those games.

Reds Throwing Brady Singer Into the Fire

Cincinnati will counter with right-hander Brady Singer (0-1, 7.71), and the numbers are brutal. The 29-year-old has been hammered for 21 hits and 11 runs (10 earned) in just 11 2/3 innings across his first three starts. Against the Giants specifically, Singer is 0-1 with a 7.16 ERA in three career matchups.

Singer's only home start this season saw him go four innings in an 11-inning win over Boston, part of Cincinnati's only successful home series so far. The Reds have lost home sets to Pittsburgh and Los Angeles since then.

The Giants will be without Luis Arraez, who sat Sunday with a right wrist contusion. Manager Tony Vitello told reporters he might play both catchers, Patrick Bailey and Daniel Susac, if Schmitt has to slide over to second base to fill the void. Susac is swinging the bat well at .636.

Cincinnati has promoted Rece Hinds from Triple-A Louisville and demoted Noelvi Marte, who's hitting .138 after going 0-for-4 Sunday. Manager Terry Francona said Marte is "having a tough time" at the plate.

First pitch Tuesday night. A Giants offense desperate for power versus a Reds starter getting shelled. San Francisco has to start winning on the road, and this is the spot to do it.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.