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

Three reasons the SF Giants will make the playoffs

2. The Schedule

Naturally, the schedule is always a variable that comes into play. But there are a few parts of the schedule that could be especially favorable this season.

This year, the Giants will again face everyone in the American League West in interleague play. Last season, the only team to finish with a winning record was the Giants Bay Area rivals – the Oakland Athletics.

While the AL West might be stronger than in 2020, there still a couple of teams like the Texas Rangers and the Seatle Mariners who are rebuilding. The SF Giants will need to take advantage of those matchups.

Where things get interesting is with the presumed top two teams in the AL West. The Giants lost two out of three against the Astros last season. They also lost five out of their six meetings with the A’s. Winning a few more games against these teams will be a must-do if the Giants want to sniff the postseason.

Then, there’s the National League portion of the schedule. Within the division, the Giants will need to take advantage of the Rockies and Diamondbacks, both of whom they will play 19 times apiece. The NL Central will provide plenty of opportunities for series wins as well.

When some parts of the schedule are favorable, that also means there will be other tough parts. Obviously, being in the same division as the Dodgers and Padres will be tough. The key here is for the Giants to play these teams tight and at-best split the season series against them. The same can be said with the majority of the NL East.

With all that being said, it’s one thing to have certain series circled as opportunities to do well, but it’s another thing to execute.