So let's take stock of where the Giants are after the most important series of the year:
Just been shown up on a national level after probably our shakiest starting pitcher guarantees a sweep, 3.5 games back - no wait, 4, because the Padres won again today on our off-day, no longer clinging to a .5 game wild-card lead but now tied for first, looking up at a first place team that not only has a 9-2 advantage over us but never seems to lose despite analysts and experts predicting every week that they are going to fall apart, my faith in the starting pitching at a low point for the season - including our ace in the worst stretch of his career, some hot bats starting to cool, looking back at the schedule during our winning July and seeing lots of Chicagos and Metses and Washingtons, and looking ahead to the rest of August and September and seeing lots of St. Louises and Philadelphias and Cincinnatis and seven more San Diegos.
Can this team still take the division? Yes. But many things have to happen for them to do so. Almost too many. The offense can't just hang around while the starters shut down the opposing teams anymore. Maybe our starting rotation will get back to that level before the season ends, but right now I hear a lot of sentences combining our pitchers' last names and the phrases "working on mechanics" and "battling individual issues." Trying to find the punch in this lineup right now, though, is kind of like playing whack-a-mole. Posey and Torres are still hitting well, and Sandoval is starting to win my confidence back a little bit, but Huff and Burrell had a quiet series. They're good, so it's likely they'll come back to form, but when they do, I'm just bracing myself for the next guy to drop off.
Why so glum? Because we're now to the part of the season where we can't afford to work through inconsistencies. On Tuesday, the six-game road trip through Philadelphia and St. Louis starts. Then in September, the Generals meet the Globetrotters again for four games. If the Giants aren't in a position to overtake the division by then, they might have a whole off-season to work through them.
To be honest I think you shouldn't worry too much about making or not making the playoffs. I will compare the way you are feeling to the feeling us A's fans had when we were streaking and thinking about catching the Rangers. I honestly didn't care if we did or didn't. Because there is one fatal flaw about either of our teams making the playoffs and that is the Yankees, Rays and Rangers. Too much money has bought too much talent.
ReplyDeleteI will honestly say it's possible that the Giants could go to the playoffs and possibly win the National League. I don't think anyone in the NL is really all that special. Especially now that Jones is out for the season. I think the Reds and the Padres are both good but not nearly as special as the leaders in the AL.
I know you are probably thinking that just making the playoffs is all you can ask. Plus if they were to go to the WS would be fantastic even if they lose. Personally that is never the case for me. Once they get to the playoffs and lose it is always more devastating to lose then. Especially WS losses as you well know.
Both the A's and Giants have to add true bats and other little changes here and there to compete with teams that have spent a butt load of money to win. Not sure the Rays are paying a butt load yet but they soon will. It's just hard to see anyone compete against there power houses with teams that may sneak into the playoffs.
I realize anyone can win once you make the playoffs but I honestly think the AL champ will be the Yanks, Rangers or Rays. The Giants have a very solid team but are missing some championship pieces. If in the offseason they go get a Dunn and maybe another vet arm you guys will probably win the west and be a solid force in the playoffs against the big boys. Honestly San Diego could do the same thing this offseason and have someone back up their big slugger.
Maybe this is just a personal thing but I hate getting into the playoffs knowing that my team really won't be able to truly compete. Unless it's the Warriors. When you only go once every 17 years you have to savor every moment. Also I hate the Yanks, Rangers, Rays, Boston and other teams that have paid through their butts which has made baseball into a pay to win sport.