Welcome to The Opener, where every weekday morning you’ll get a fresh, topical column to start your day from one of SI.com’s MLB writers.
If you need one pitch to explain the riddle why the Giants have the best record in baseball (46-26), it was the 1-and-2 slider Anthony DeSclafani threw Juan Soto in the fourth inning June 11 in Washington. Not only did Giants catcher Buster Posey call for the slider, but he also wanted it up and in—rising out of his crouch to set a rare high target for a breaking pitch.