Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants--2021 champions of the National League West. They won it on the last day of the season, capping an incredible race to the finish with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants won 107 games, the most of any of the club's 136 seasons (including their dominant teams in New York early in the 20th century, although they played fewer games then.)
The Dodgers also won on Sunday, so by winning their game, the Giants avoided a one game playoff for the division title. In that scenario, win or lose, they were likely to meet the Dodgers twice in the post-season. Now the Dodgers--with the second most wins in the major leagues this year, after the Giants--must win the Wild Card game on Wednesday, against a team that in the past three weeks has been even hotter than the Dodgers and Giants: the St. Louis Cardinals.
Post-season in any sport is often about momentum and injuries. All three teams have momentum, though the Giants have been winning more on pitching recently, and the Dodgers on power hitting. And they all have injuries. The Giants are missing their leading home run hitter and a defensive standout and veteran presence in Brandon Belt. The Dodgers are initially without one of their ace pitchers, Clayton Kershaw. Either could turn out to be the difference.
Though sports media has continued to downplay if not utterly ignore the Giants, the San Francisco team seems to have elements to provide a good chance of success: a dynamic mix of youth and veterans having great years, a skillful game manager, a lot of depth in general (if not at every position), and maybe that old magic as well. But they do have weaknesses that could hurt them. The Dodgers are powerful but brittle, and the Cards are either peaking at the right moment, or playing above their level. Nobody knows how this is going to turn out.
But as one of the Giants' announcers said, this season is already a success. Nothing will tarnish it.
By the way, it's been a particular pleasure for me to tune into Giants' games again and find the same crew--the best in baseball, I'm sure. And I heard Jon Miller name check the announcer I grew up with--Bob Prince, Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster--and one of his patented sayings, We had 'em all the way.
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