The San Francisco Giants (64-57) will be without their manager when they take on the best team in baseball Friday night. Gabe Kapler has been suspended for the team's opening series matchup against the Atlanta Braves, per The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly.

Kapler was ejected from San Fran's Tuesday game versus the Tampa Bay Rays for arguing strikes, per NBCS. He later violated the rules of his dismissal by returning to the dugout, and is thereby suspended for one game and fined. His club is currently in the second National League Wild Card position, holding a slim lead over a handful of teams.

Article Continues Below
Related San Francisco Giants News
Detroit Tigers center fielder Javier Baez (28) is greeted by second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre.
Tigers’ A.J. Hinch makes Javier Baez ‘hug it out’ quip about ump after ejectionZachary Howell ·
3 Players Giants Fans Are Fed Up with.
3 players San Francisco Giants fans are already fed up with in 2025RB Hayek ·
San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Oracle Park.
Justin Verlander reveals Giants’ urgent IL messageZachary Weinberger ·
image thumbnail
Wilmer Flores stuns MLB world with walk-off walkBrayden Haena ·
Apr 6, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin (6) relieves San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jordan Hicks (12) against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
MLB rumors: Giants considering big starting rotation changeMike Gianakos ·
San Francisco Giants first baseman Wilmer Flores (41) is greeted by his teammates after hitting a grand slam against the Athletics during the third inning at Oracle Park.
Wilmer Flores ties Aaron Judge for RBI leader in huge night vs. AthleticsBrayden Haena ·

The Giants must be completely locked in for this crucial road trip that features three games each against the Braves and Philadelphia Phillies before they return home to host Atlanta.

In other words, it would be nice to have the 2021 NL Manager of the Year operating at full capacity from the bench. Kapler was irate with the home plate umpire after he incorrectly called a strike on rookie outfielder Wade Meckler in an at-bat against Rays pitcher and his old friend, Zack Littell. Supporting a young player has to earn the skipper some bonus points in the clubhouse. Unfortunately, it came at a cost, which has now increased following his mistake to reappear in the dugout.

Gabe Kapler has done a nice job with this gritty group, guiding San Francisco past multiple clubs that are better on paper. The NL West is likely unattainable at this point, but the Giants will settle for their second postseason trip in three years. Their fiery leader will be back in action Saturday, but we will have to see if his suspension can give them enough fuel to prevail on Friday.