Where the Giants Stand
Photo by: Gary A. Vasquez (USA Today Sports)
The Giants are in an interesting spot, but have absolutely fallen off in the month of August; the last series they won was a four-game set against the D-Backs at the end of July and beginning of August (July 31st-August 3rd).
Sure, it’s been a tough schedule this month, including two series against the league-leading Braves, Bochy’s Rangers, and solid teams in the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies. Three of the six close losses (two runs or less) came from one of the Rangers, Braves, and Phillies series; heartbreakers because they proved themselves to be able to nearly keep pace and go toe to toe with some of the quality teams in the league. Yet the Giants are still in the mix for a Wild Card spot, 1.5 games back of Arizona for the last spot.
With the end of the regular season a little more than a month away, contracts will slowly but surely become the talk of many teams, especially if the team isn’t in the playoff race come the last week of September. One of the biggest question marks is shortstop Brandon Crawford’s expiring contract. Also, depending on DeJong’s performance and his end-of-season wishes, which veteran shortstop do the Giants keep on for next season? Both Crawford and DeJong are glove first shortstops. Crawford is the lone player left from the championship teams, keep in the name of defense and nostalgia? I think if the offer to stay is on the table for another year, he will stay a Giant and maybe even decide to retire with the organization.
Photo by: Ross D. Franklin (Associated Press)
Photo by: Matt Slocum (Associated Press)
Will the two Brandons live through the same fate? (Brandon Belt signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays last offseason. But the difference is Belt had more value and versatility with the bat; the ability to DH, hit with some authority, as well as occasionally fill the defensive role at first base. Crawford’s batting average has dipped below the Mendoza line for much of the second half of the season and he’s not really hitting for power either (six home runs this season). This is by far his worst statistical offensive season since his rookie season in 2011.
Photo by: Jeff Chiu (Associated Press)
Photo by: Thearon W. Henderson (Getty Images)
Photo by: Bill Streicher (USA Today Sports)
Throughout the season, the Giants have debuted several top prospects (Schmitt, Matos, Bailey, Luciano, Meckler, Harrison). Is it time to give them more playing time and opportunities if the team eventually slides out of contention? Or give them more time now to see if they can be the answer to boost the veterans at this stage in the year?
There’s still some time left in the season. Every game will be critical from now on. But the most important Wild Card-related ones: circle the three-game series against the Reds, who are right behind them in the Wild Card, a three-game series against the Cubs (currently in 2nd Wild Card spot) at Wrigley and two road games against the D-Backs a little later in September.