Can the Suddenly Surging SF Giants Pull Off the Improbable and Win the NL Pennant at 750/1 Odds?
- The San Francisco Giants posted a 7-3 record in the last 10 games before the MLB All-Star break
- At 41-48, they are just 5.5 games out of a National League Wild-Card position
- The Giants open the second half on the road against one of the teams they’re chasing, the Milwaukee Brewers
First off, let’s keep it real – no matter how hot they get, the San Francisco Giants won’t be challenging for the National League West Division title. The Giants trail the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by 17.5 games. That’s a gap they won’t be closing.
However, the Giants went 7-3 leading up the All-Star break and, even though they still sit at 41-48 overall, are just 5.5 games out of a Wild-Card position in the National League. Odds list the Giants as +75000 in their NL Pennant odds.
Odds to Win 2019 NL Pennant
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +110 |
| Atlanta Braves | +300 |
| Chicago Cubs | +900 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +1200 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1200 |
| Washington Nationals | +1200 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | +2000 |
| Colorado Rockies | +3000 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +3500 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +4500 |
| San Diego Padres | +4500 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | +5000 |
| New York Mets | +12500 |
| San Francisco Giants | +75000 |
| Miami Marlins | +200000 |
*Odds taken on 07/09/19
The Giants have reached (and won) the World Series three times in the last decade: 2010, 2012 and 2014.
Bats Heating Up
The hitting of the Giants certainly wasn’t a San Francisco treat for much of the first half of the season. They languished at or near the bottom of all major offensive categories. There was very little middle-of-the-order production.
The @SFGiants have won 6 of their last 7. @Evan3Longoria said they have great energy right now and everyone in the clubhouse believes they have a shot at the post season. pic.twitter.com/UpDkD3NsKh
— Amy Gutierrez (@amygmultimedia) July 7, 2019
Lately, though, there’s been signs of life. They averaged 7.6 runs per game while going 6-1 in their last seven. Third baseman Evan Longoria is hitting .429 (9-for-21) over the last six games, clouting five homers and seven extra-base hits.
Left-fielder Alex Dickerson is batting .362 with four homers and slashing .444/.782/1.232 in 16 games since he was called up from the minor leagues.
Is A Bum Deal In The Works?
Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi met with the local media shortly before the All-Star break and declined to commit to whether his team would be buyers or sellers before the July 31 MLB trade deadline.
Before heading to Cleveland, All-Star Will Smith earned his 23rd save of the season yesterday. He is 23-for-23 in save opportunities, hasn't allowed a run in 17 of his last 19 outings, posted a .96 ERA with 30 Ks and a .156 batting average against in that time. 👊#SFGiants pic.twitter.com/VHsQt9gcp4
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) July 8, 2019
There is definite interest in left-handed starting pitcher and 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner. Pacing a stellar bullpen, All-Star closer Will Smith is 23-for-23 in save situations. A free agent at season’s end, he’d be a coveted addition to any postseason contender.
It Would Be a Giants Leap
We’re a little over a week away from the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing and Neil Armstrong’s famous “one giant leap” quote. While the Giants leaping back into the playoff picture might not be on par with that achievement, it’s somewhat remarkable.
It’s also perplexing. The Giants don’t have a deep farm system. They’re still on pace for their third successive losing season, regardless of the recent uptick.
Who will land Madison Bumgarner as we approach the trade deadline?@Ken_Rosenthal has the latest: pic.twitter.com/kabb8oy3aU
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 8, 2019
They need to retool and forget the playoffs. Sure, they’re only 5.5 games out, but there are eight teams blocking their path to that spot.
So in reality, the Giants don’t only need to play 5.5 games better than the Phillies (who currently occupy the second Wild Card) over the final 73 games of the season. They also need to play 5 games better than the Brewers, 4 games better than the Diamondbacks, 3.5 games better than the Padres and Cardinals, 3 games better than the Rockies and Pirates, and 1.5 games better than the Reds.
Even if they manage that enormous feat, it only gets them into the postseason. From there, they would still have to win the Wild-Card game, take down the Dodgers in the NLDS, and win another best-of-seven in the NLCS.
The Giants would be foolish to hang on to their vets and try to make a run. Almost as foolish as you’d be to wager on them winning the NL pennant.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
