San Francisco Giants Bullpen Struggles in 2026
The San Francisco Giants finished fourth in the National League West during the 2026 campaign, posting a 65-97 record. The team’s bullpen ranked 19th in Major League Baseball with a 4.14 earned run average and 24th overall with a 1.42 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP).
San Francisco relievers issued walks at a rate of 4.20 per nine innings, ranking 23rd among all major league teams. The bullpen also struck out batters at a rate of 7.55 per nine innings, which placed them last in the majors. Despite these struggles with control and strikeouts, the Giants relievers ranked seventh in the majors by limiting home runs to 0.95 per nine innings.
Oracle Park, the Giants' home venue, ranks 26th overall and 28th specifically for home runs allowed according to Statcast Park Factors. These metrics highlight the challenges the team faces in protecting leads and preventing extra-base hits within their home park.
Steven Okert’s Career-Best Season With Houston
Veteran left-handed reliever Steven Okert is a potential target for the Giants, who would be reuniting with him after he began his career with the club from 2016 through 2018. Okert has pitched in nine major league seasons with four different teams, holding a 3.41 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 369 career innings.
In his age-34 season with the Houston Astros, Okert recorded a 2.3 bWAR, the best of his career. This performance surpassed his previous best of 1.5 set in 2025. Okert tossed 67.2 innings over 68 appearances for the Astros last season, posting a 2.13 ERA and 0.87 WHIP.
Opponents hit .190 against Okert during his tenure with Houston. His 2026 pitching run value was 13, placing him in the 83rd percentile among major league pitchers. Okert’s 2026 strikeout rate was 26.1 percent, ranking in the 76th percentile, with a 30.9 percent whiff clip that placed him in the 88th percentile. He limited walks to a 5.4 percent clip last season.