BOSTON — During batting practice on Saturday afternoon, a member of the Giants organization made a light-hearted observation that was actually quite factual. This series, he pointed out, was as close as Giants players would get to experiencing a playoff atmosphere the rest of the way. The Boston Red Sox are headed for the postseason, and while Fenway Park will turn it up several notches in October, it has been a raucous atmosphere through two night games in front of sellout crowds. This is the first time here for many on the Giants roster, and for two days, there has been a beeline to sign the inside of the Green Monster and take photos surrounded by history. Add it all together, and this really is the biggest atmosphere left on the schedule for a team that’s 25 games under .500
That means it’s also a great place to learn about players who hope to be part of something better in 2027, and on Saturday night, two young right-handers showed they might belong.
Blade Tidwell threw 5 2/3 shutout innings and struck out a career-high seven in his best start as a big leaguer. In the eighth, Dylan Smith buzzed through the heart of the order with...