[liberty-ca]

WHAT FANS ARE SAYING AROUND TOWN

Sacramento isn’t just watching baseball right now — it’s living it. You can hear it in coffee shops, grocery-store checkout lines, barbershops, breweries, and every bus stop in the city. With the Prayers off to their best start in franchise history, the whole town has become one giant, excited sports radio show.

Here’s a sampling of what fans are saying around Sacramento:

📍 Old Soul Coffee (Midtown)

“Murguia is hitting like he’s allergic to outs.”
A pair of students in Prayers caps were scrolling through box scores like they were scripture. One of them said he’s convinced Eli Murguia isn’t just the best hitter in the league — he’s the best in team history. His friend nodded solemnly like this was an unassailable truth.

📍 Streetside Tailgate Barbershop (Oak Park)

“Russ Gray is HIM. Period.”
A barber stopped mid-fade to share the gospel of Russ Gray’s 5–0 record.
“Pitcher of the Month wasn’t an award,” he said. “It was a foregone conclusion.”
Customers agreed, comparing his April to some of Salazar’s legendary starts from the 1970s.

📍 The Capitol Market Deli (Downtown)

“I don’t know how Strauss keeps doing this, but don’t stop him.”
A deli worker insisted Scott Strauss should be getting way more love.
"Every time we need a big hit, he’s right in the middle of it. And that 14th-inning triple? Man… chef’s kiss."

📍 Tower Records Parking Lot (Land Park)

“Velasquez is back? Velasquez is BACK.”
Two friends reenacted Alex Velasquez’s homer from the Tucson marathon game, complete with full bat flip. A small crowd actually stopped to watch. Someone yelled, “Put him in the All-Star Game!” and nobody disagreed.

📍 New Helvetia Brewing (Broadway)

“This team’s got 1985 vibes.”
A group of old-timers at the bar were comparing this squad to great Prayers teams of the past. The consensus:
This one might be better.
“Deep lineup, deep staff, no weaknesses. It’s scary,” one said between sips.

📍 The Light Rail Blue Line (North Highlands to Downtown)

“Man, how is the bullpen THIS good?”
A pair of commuters debated whether the relief corps could sustain its pace. One insisted Vizcarra and Prieto were “the real unsung heroes of April.” The other simply held up a newspaper with the updated standings and grinned.

📍 El Jardin Taqueria (South Sacramento)

“Have we ever been this fast on the bases?”
A table of regulars was raving about Benito Perez swiping his 10th bag of the month.
“That kid is lightning,” one said. “Steal first if they let him.”

📍 A Gas Station on Folsom Blvd

“22–3 and we’re not even playing our best ball yet.”
A man filling his tank said the wildest part of this start isn’t the wins — it’s that Sacramento still has room to improve. “Murguia and Gray look like MVP candidates. But imagine when Iniguez really heats up. Or Musco.”
He shook his head in disbelief.
“This is gonna be a season.”

📍 McKinley Park Walking Loop (East Sac)

“I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, but… October.”
A woman walking her dog said she’s already planning her schedule around a potential playoff run. “I know it’s way too early,” she laughed. “But tell me this team doesn’t look championship-caliber.”