Even if SF Giants miss playoffs, team can do something it hasn't done since 2021

The SF Giants may not have a ton to play for when it comes to the playoffs, but they can still accomplish something important in this final week of the season. If they finish strong, they could have the first winning record since 2021.

Barring the Giants winning all six of their remaining games this season accompanied by a total collapse from the three teams ahead of them in the race for the third NL Wild Card spot, this will be the fourth straight season the Giants miss the playoffs since that miracle season back in 2021.

SF Giants can still have winning season even if they miss the playoffs

There are many reasons why the Giants will miss out on the playoffs, whether it is injuries, or their huge drop off during the summer that led to them selling at the deadline and depleting their bullpen, or their dismal performance against other NL West teams. There will be an entire offseason to analyze all of those things.

Still, the Giants can accomplish something important in these final six games. They currently sit at 77-79 on the year. If they can win five of their last six games they will finish with a record of 82-80 on the season and will have a winning record. The last time they did that was in 2021 and the last time before that was back in 2016.

It does not mean much and it is a bit of a moot point after the team had such high expectations with their hot start to the year and the acquisition of Rafael Devers. To many, even if they do break .500 this year will be a continuation of the mediocrity of the last three seasons under president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.

That is a fair appraisal, but even though the team is likely to miss the playoffs they do have a solid foundation to build upon. We saw earlier this month how potent the lineup can be when Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, and Rafael Devers are all hitting well. If they can shore up their pitching depth they should be in a better place for next season.

It is not fun when you have to cheer for your favorite team to just break .500, but even though this is another mediocre year for the Giants it does feel like things are trending a little more in the right direction even if the results are not quite there yet.

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