San Francisco Giants: A Month By Month Analysis of the 2017 Schedule

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Oct 11, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) reacts during the ninth inning of game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Strength of Schedule by Month:

I decided to give a basic strength of schedule outlook for the season. All teams on the schedule were weighted. The formula? Each 1st place finisher in 2016 received 5 points, 2nd place got four points, and so on. In addition, teams that made the postseason but didn’t finish first (WC teams) got an extra point. If they finished .500 or above but didn’t make the postseason they received an extra point, and if they were in the world series, they received an extra point. So basically, the teams who received an extra point were Detroit, St. Louis, the New York Mets, Kansas City, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cleveland Indians. Each team were only able to receive one extra point. Here was the order of most difficult months and their point value based on opponent strength that month

May: 106
July: 78
August: 78
September/October: 78
April: 69
June: 68

As I said in the recap of May, that month would be the hardest month of the season far and away. Thankfully, it is padded on either side by relatively simpler months on the schedule.

First Glance Outlook: The Giants may have a difficult start to the season just because of how difficult May is going to be. Opponent strength for that month could technically be higher because the consensus is the Braves should be relatively competitive next season. But thankfully it mellows out after that tough month of May. As long as the Giants can stay remotely healthy, they should be on their way to another playoff contender season.

Next: Top 10 First Baseman in Giants History

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