Mercifully, the preseason is done.

Yeah, the Giants’ preseason campaign ended on a down note, a 4-1 loss Saturday at Oakland. So what? It didn’t count, the ballpark is a cesspool, Buster Posey didn’t play, and it was – well, it was the A’s.

‘Nuff said.

What did matter is that Matt Cain was the most Matt Cain-iest he’s been in a long time. He wasn’t the 2012 perfect game-style Matt Cain, but he was a far cry better than what we’ve seen over the past two seasons. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus—and he arrived early with what appears to be a pretty solid back-of-the-rotation guy.

Cain deals against Oakland (AP Photo)

Cain totaled 88 pitches (58 strikes) after tossing 90 his previous outing, meaning the spring setback to minor arm surgery is pretty much a non-factor. The Big Horse allowed just two hits, one a homer by Khris Davis. He walked two and fanned just one but was undone by some shaky defense, with just one of the three-runs allowed   being earned.

The Giants offense acted as though it was already on the plane to Milwaukee, netting just three hits. Eric Surkamp, former Giants farmhand turned “Hey, remember that dude?” was the primary culprit. Coming on in relief of ailing starter Felix Dubront, Surkamp threw seven innings of two-hit ball while the Giants showed the same level of excitement for the endeavor that critics have for Batman vs. Superman.

Only Eihre Adrianza’s ninth-inning solo shot off some Dull reliever kept the Giants from being shut out.

The game was played in a brisk 2:23 in front of 29,000 disinterested souls as both teams, the vendors and most of the residents tried to discern the fastest way out of Oakland.

From a Giants perspective, the game was notable for its lack of anything notable. Posey missed the game with the flu. Adrianza’s homer, a Matt Duffy double and a single from not-gonna-be-hear catcher Miguel Olivo were the offensive standouts. Denard Span butchered two plays in center field like he was auditioning for the next Saw installment, and the end to preseason couldn’t come fast enough.

The Giants did officially announce their full 25-man roster, which was exactly what we (and everyone else) predicted it would be. The Giants are carrying 13-pitchers thanks to an eight-man pen, making up the difference by keeping just four outfielders.

It’s likely that will change as pitchers gain strength. The fifth outfielder and (more importantly) bat off the bench will be needed at some point, and that extra arm won’t be as starters hopefully go deeper into games. Guys with options (Cory Gearrin?) could get early bus tickets, or underperformers may get shown the door.

And of course, injuries may destroy everyone game plan.

But for now, it’s all about hope. The Giants project to be a 90-plus game winner and are the pick of many to end the Dodgers’ run atop the division.

Plus, it’s an even-numbered year. No explanation needed.

And did we mention Tim Lincecum is ….