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SF Giants: Three Reasons the Playoffs are a Possibility in 2021

By Kyle Foster

September 25, 2020; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Wilmer Flores (41) is congratulated by right fielder Austin Slater (13) and second baseman Donovan Solano (7) after hitting a three-run home run against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of game two of a double header at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 25, 2020; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Wilmer Flores (41) is congratulated by right fielder Austin Slater (13) and second baseman Donovan Solano (7) after hitting a three-run home run against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of game two of a double header at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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SF Giants
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 27: Alex Wood #57 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers the pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning in Game Six of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The arrival of a new season brings a lot of optimism and hope that the season result in a playoff birth for the SF Giants.

Last season, the SF Giants surprised many when they were able to go 29-31 and missed out on the final Wild Card spot by the tiebreaker. Because of that, there is a new-found hope that the team will push through this year and make it in.

Yet, many people appear to be sleeping on them as Spring Training gets underway. The PECOTA Projections have the Giants going 75-87 and finishing fourth in the National League West.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the reasons why the Giants could surprise everyone and sneak into the postseason.

Three reasons the SF Giants will make the playoffs

1. Improved pitching depth

It is no secret that the Giants had a rough time with their pitching last season. Luckily, the team made a bunch of under-the-radar moves that should help.

The Giants added a handful of arms during the winter including Alex Wood, Anthony Discelfani, Aaron Sanchez, Matt Wisler, and Jake McGee. On top of that, Reyes Moronta will also be back and should be a high-leverage arm out of the bullpen. There was also a multitude of players who showed some promise last season.

It’s not even close to the caliber of pitching that the Dodgers and Padres have. But if manager Gabe Kapler and the coaching staff can put players in the best position to succeed, they could surprise a lot of folks.

This is an area that needed some help. Last year, the bullpen blew 11 save opportunities. Had they converted half of them, they would’ve qualified for the postseason with ease. This means that a slight improvement could help the Giants get over the hump and play in the postseason.

The offense shouldn’t be the issue, which leaves pitching. Most of the time, if you’re good at two out of the three facets of the game you’ll have a chance.

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