The San Francisco Giants suffered a 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, settling for a split of the four-game series at AT&T Park. Of greater importance, however, is the loss officially eliminated the Giants from potentially winning the National League West title this season.
At 50-76, the Giants are in the midst of one of their worst seasons in franchise history. The club has been ravaged by injuries, with Brandon Belt and Johnny Cueto among those currently on the disabled list.
Madison Bumgarner missed three months after sustaining multiple injuries in a dirt bike accident. He’s gone 3-2 with a 2.98 ERA in seven starts since returning mid-July.
San Francisco was pegged by many as a threat to end the Dodgers’ run as NL West champions. Instead, the race the Giants are involved in is for the top pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.
The Phillies (44-78) currently hold a three-game lead over the Giants for worst record in baseball. Sandwiched between them are the Chicago White Sox (47-74).
Assuming the Giants don’t mount a historic comeback to reach the NL Wild Card Game, they will miss the postseason for a third time in the past five years.
Conversely, the Los Angeles Dodgers are well on their way to an unprecedented fifth consecutive NL West title and are in strong position to finish with the best overall record, which would guarantee them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
In spite of their loss Sunday to the Detroit Tigers, the Dodgers hold a 20-game lead over the Colorado Rockies in the division.
