The Giants are being counted out, and they're close to the wild card battle. Haven't we been through this a few times already? And hasn't it gone, oh, EXTRAORDINARILY WELL FOR THE GIANTS every time?
The Wild Card race is beginning to get really heated, as other teams are headed for the Pirates and Cubs, the current takers of those two spots. One of those teams is the Nationals, which is slightly surprising, seeing as a few weeks ago they were basically DOA, but they've managed to fight their way back into the race, injuries and all.
The other team that's currently tied with the Nats, who are also chasing the NL Central successes? Well, the Giants. Yes, the team that has been fighting a "you can't win this year, it's an odd number" curse is STILL in the running for a potential wild card spot. And with the amount of youth they've piled up this year, you can't blame them.
First of all, their infield is the strongest it's been in years. Belt-Panik-Crawford-Duffy is a pretty awesome combination, even if Panik is currently sitting on the DL. Plus, people like Nori Aoki and Marlon Byrd are playing really well for them, and Madison Bumgarner is having another really nice season.
But the problem is that there's a lot of injuries, and a lot of little imperfections lying around, that are detracting from what could be a first place team. Hunter Pence is out right now for the second time this year, which has to smart, because he's one of their best offensive providers. Lincecum and Cain are both out. They have been relying on a lot of youth this year, because it's really the only option they have.
The Giants, if they want to squeeze into the playoffs like they did last year, need to win a ton of those tough options, and outlast the Cubs and the Nationals, two really tough teams. I don't know if they can do it...but then again, the 2010's Giants have never gone into the playoffs as favorites and done anything significant , have they?
Coming Tonight- One of the many Yankee pitchers that have been holding up the team for a potential playoff run.
There are three games left against the Rockies to wrap up the season. Inexplicably, my last place team often seems to give SF fits during the playoff race.
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