SAN FRANCISCO — Tony Vitello, the manager of the San Francisco Giants, feels that the timing of the All-Star break is unfortunate.

In his previous role as a college coach, the season would be nearly over by now. Yet, managing one of the most underperforming teams in professional baseball means he’s only just past the halfway mark—definitely insufficient time to rectify the situation.

“Considering how the first half went, I wish the season could be split at the All-Star break,” Vitello remarked. “Maybe it’s better to view the second half positively. Looking back, it’s out of our control. What’s done is done.”

This sentiment was the core of the message he conveyed at a team meeting held at Coors Field over the weekend, as the Giants sat 15 games below .500 (37-52).

While the meeting was technically to celebrate the team’s All-Stars, Logan Webb and Luis Arraez, Vitello aimed to address more than just accomplishments.

“He said some encouraging things,” Webb shared. “We tried to act like the first half didn’t happen, but that’s unrealistic. Still, let’s think of it like a fresh start. We just need to keep our heads down, focus on our jobs, and hope things turn around.”

The message seemed to resonate initially.

That evening, the Giants played one of their most solid games, albeit against a struggling Rockies team.

But when a team is mired in difficulties, moving forward is often a challenge.

“Throughout the first half, we kept looking around, worrying about our offense and pitching, and concluded we weren’t going to win,” catcher Eric Haas noted. “It was a good reminder that we’re not playing terribly; we just aren’t winning.”

The next day, however, the familiar struggles resurfaced. In the series finale, the Giants hit four home runs and managed to hold the Rockies until the seventh inning, but still ended up with a 2-4 record from the road trip as the bullpen faltered again. It seems that teams struggling to win three or more games in a row are simply unable to gain any momentum.

After descending from high altitude, they barely had time to regroup, with no days off ahead until a long weekend arrives next week. They’re hoping the All-Star break serves as a reset.

As they entered Monday, they held a 4-4 record since the halfway point of the season.

“We want to finish this first half strong. We want to go into the break feeling confident about the second half,” first baseman Bryce Eldridge emphasized. “We all believe it can happen. We just need to keep working and putting it together.”

While it’s evident their bats are warming up—Rafael Devers, for instance, has hit 16 home runs and posted a .928 OPS since May—the wins have not followed suit.

This creates a challenging landscape ahead, especially with upcoming trades expected by the August 3 deadline. So, what changes does Vitello’s team seek in the second half?

“We need a bit more attitude on the field. Tough times test us,” he stated. “It’s about the mentality, the idea of ‘attack.’ Regardless of circumstances, we need to be aggressive. That sets the tone.”

Part of that involves being more aggressive in pregame drills, which Vitello is pleased with. He also believes a boost in base-running aggression could be beneficial.

Most importantly, he noted that his pitchers must throw more strikes.

Only two teams in the league throw strikes less frequently than the Giants’ pitching staff.

“We have a dedicated group that truly wants to win,” Webb asserted. “The standings may not reflect it, but we’re committed. We’re doing everything we can. While it’s not improving right now, I believe if we continue, things will eventually turn around. When that will happen? I can’t say. But that’s our aim.”

As for Vitello, he remained vague when reflecting on his own growth.

“We just need to improve,” he added. “While there may be a multitude of details to adjust, we can definitely keep getting better.”