After struggling mightily since the 2014 World Series, the San Francisco Giants are finally back in the race for the National League pennant. It’s been a long time coming for Giants fans, and this team has the potential to find its way back into the fall classic later this year.
The Recent Struggles
Since winning their 3rd World Series in 5 years between 2010-2014, the San Francisco Giants have only made the playoffs one time since then. They looked to be a dynasty at the start of the decade and collapsed hard after 2014. They posted 2 winning seasons after that, made it to the 2016 NLDS, but lost to the eventual champion Chicago Cubs.
The Success
Nobody thought that this team was going to be as good as they are right now. Gabe Kapler is now in his 2nd season as the Giants skipper and has exceeded all expectations right now. The Giants are right now sitting atop not only the NL West but the NL and MLB as well, with the best record in baseball 71-41.
There is no luck about this record at all, as they have been the best team in baseball all season and have been absolutely on fire since the all-star break. They have posted a 14-9 record since the break, including a 5-2 record against the 2nd placed Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Giants currently sit 4 games ahead of the Dodgers, and with no more games between the two teams, the Giants control their own destiny in terms of finishing out the season. The good news for Giants fans is that nobody else in the NL except the Brewers are really close to them in terms of standings.
The NL East is a joke, with the Phillies leading the division at just 59-53, and the Brewers lead the NL Central with a 67-46 record, half a game behind the Dodgers.
Since winning their 3rd World Series in 5 years between 2010-2014, the San Francisco Giants have only made the playoffs only one time since then.The Giants have been great on both sides of the diamond, both hitting and pitching. You can credit their pitching success to Kevin Gausman and the bullpen. Gausman currently leads all Giants with 4.8 WAR and a 2.31 ERA. Every relief pitcher, as well as the current staff, has under a 3.2 ERA.
Veteran is an understatement when it comes to describing the Giants batters. Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, and Brandon Belt have been exceptional for the Giants yet again. They have been the leading hitters for the team this season and have delivered in big-time moments.
Posey currently has the best batting average on the team with a .328. Crawford leads the teams in runs batted in with 66. Belt leads the team in slugging percentage at .568.
They have deep playoff experience sprinkled throughout this roster, and trading for Kris Bryant adds even more leadership to the team. This team can go far in the postseason and probably will be. Sitting at +900 odds to win the World Series, if you put some money on this team, there is a very good chance that you will win some money.
Long story short, with the rest of their scheduling shaping out to include multiple series that they will most likely win, nobody will be able to catch the Giants in the National League.
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