Is there some magic starting to brew?

The old joke is that you can’t tell the players without a scorecard. In the case of the Giants, that’s almost true. A scorecard, and maybe dental records, would come in handy for fans that just came out of those two-month isolation tryouts for the Mars missions.

 Twenty percent of the current 25-man active roster wasn’t with the club on opening day. Three pitchers, two infielders and an outfielder were supposed to be gaining experience, working on their game, desperately looking for whatever passed for Sacramento nightlife; anything but trying to prop up a division leader. And those faces don’t account for other moves needed to keep the ship afloat.

It’s been a log jam in the trainers’ room and a whirlwind of activity in the front office as the Giants have patched a pasted together a campaign that, to date, can old be described as miraculous.

Some of the losses are memorable. When asked you can immediately talk about the hamstring issues that meant surgery for Hunter Pence and put both Matt Cain and Angel Pagan on the DL multiple times. A little more effort might prompt the recollection that Sergio Romo is MIA or that George Kontos spent significant time on the shelf.

 But how many remember that Ehire Adrianza was on the opening day roster? How about Chris Heston? Adrianza was lost to injury back in April, and Heston was lost to being, well, awful. Adrianza and Kelby Tomlinson were somewhat redundant, but at least Ehire’s loss was offset by KT’s …. what? Oh, crap. Tomlinson sprained a thumb last week and had to take a 15-day sabbatical.  

Check out these names: Ramiro Pena, Jarrett Parker, Mac Williamson, Conor Gillaspie, Albert Suarez, Chris Stratton, Derek Law. It’s a fair bet Parker and Williamson were then only guys you had any hope for, and the return of Gillaspie elicited a combination of groans and chuckles. All are currently wearing the colors.

Stephen Okert, Vin Mazzaro, Clayton Blackburn, Mike Broadway: all have seen time in a Giants uniform. Not a one of them was expected to contribute this season, although there were some hopes that Parker or Williamson would make a mark.  And beyond that, has there been an Andrew Susac sighting anywhere of significance since his “injury” handed the backup backstop role to Trevor Brown?

These aren’t your father’s Giants. Heck, these aren’t your Giants; at least not the Giants you thought were yours in April. Only 40 percent of the season is complete, and 35 different men have worn the colors. And yet, here they are.

Like the 2010 team, this is a quad built on starting pitching. Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Sanardzija are the holy trinity, eating innings and keeping a suspect bullpen on the sidelines as much as possible. They hit just enough, generally catch the ball when they're supposed to, and somehow things seem to work out.

The Giants are 15 games above .500 (41-26) and lead a surprisingly weak NL West by six games. There’ .612 winning percentage is the worst among division leaders but it’s a darned sight better than anyone chasing them or in the wildcard mix.

The NL West is the Giants, Dodgers and a burning mass of gunk found at the bottom of a dive bar’s deep fryer. Right now the Dodgers wouldn’t even make the post-season; they sit two back of St. Louis in the loss column if you’re trying to figure out who has a grip on the five spot. Colorado sits three back in the wildcard and eight out in the division, while Arizona and San Diego might be in witness protection.

We strongly suggest this as a uniform addition.

Someone asked the Friars and D-backs how those big off-season moves are working out. It’s a matter of time before Arizona starts the fire sale, and the Padres have already hung out their shingle.

Look, this team is scary. Cain and Romo may never be right again. Pence and Pagan are legitimate long-term injury concerns, there’s a lot of inexperience, and the bullpen is a tequila-fueled nightmare. But be it with guile or luck or nothing but smoke and mirrors, right now they are the class of the division.

Just think about it. Romo and Cain come back strong. Pence is himself come August and Pagan doesn’t shatter again. Serio Romo and Jake Peavy can make that last ounce of talent each is milking last through October, the front office makes that one July move that seem prescient…..

There’s your even-year magic.