3 reasons why the SF Giants' playoff chances are toast

As of 9/13, the San Francisco Giants are officially in trouble when it comes to making the playoffs in 2023. They are certainly not out of it mathematically as they are currently just a game and a half out of the wild card race in the National League. However, that does not tell the whole story.

See, the fundamental problem the Giants have is that they had relied on being greater than the sum of their parts for the first half of the season and that did work for a while. However, The months of August and September have not been particularly kind and as we will see, there is a very good chance that the Giants will be at home watching the playoffs unfold in October instead of being in the thick of things.

Here are 3 reasons why the SF Giants' playoff chances are toast

It is too easy to just look at the standings, see a team that currently on the outside looking in in the race for a playoff spot, and then declare them dead. That is not how any of this works. Remaining schedules, how other competitors are playing, and just how that team is playing matters a LOT here. However, a closer look seems to show that essentially none of those factors look particularly promising for the Giants the rest of the season and that is a problem.

Let's take a look at some of the reasons why it looks like the Giants' chances of making the playoffs are toast.

The SF Giants' offense has been terrible for a while now with no end in sight

The hardest part of contending with a roster like the Giants' is stringing together consistent offense. A pitching staff can be managed and can target specific matchups to find success, but when a lineup lacks blue chip players, essentially everyone has to play reasonably well to make it work. It certainly isn't impossible to pull off, but not having a guy or two that can carry the offensive load means that everyone has to do their part.

Unfortunately for the Giants, that hasn't been the case for a while now. Since August 1st, the Giants offense has ranked 23rd in all of baseball by fWAR at 2.7. and 24th in wRC+ at 91. Those aren't just subpar numbers, they are downright bad. If you are looking for good news, it is that all of the NL teams contending for that last wild card spot seem to be in the same boat as the Reds, Diamondbacks, and Marlins offenses have all struggled lately.

Aside from the lineup just not playing well, the Giants have dealt with their fair share of injuries. Thairo Estrada was on the shelf for a while and he has not been anywhere close to the same player he was in the first half since returning. San Francisco also has two of their better bats hurt right now in Michael Conforto (hamstring) and Patrick Bailey (concussion).

Both Bailey and Conforto SHOULD be able to return soon at the very least. If those two guys come back and hit like they are supposed to, the Giants have a chance. If not, it could be a painful end to San Francisco's season.

The SF Giants' remaining schedule is brutal

Arguably the biggest factor for the Giants the rest of the way is who they have left on their schedule. The Giants don't just need to play better, they need the teams on the other side of the field to cooperate if they want to make a run at the end of the season and force their way into a wild card spot.

Not all the news is bad here. The Giants are currently up against a Guardians team that is very beatable and have the inept Rockies for four games after that, although those games are at Coors Field so anything could happen. In theory, the Giants could make up some over the next week or so which would be helpful.

The problems start after the Rockies' series, though. First, San Francisco has a two game set against the Diamondbacks who are young, talented, and are also fighting for their playoff lives. After that, the Giants have to go to Dodger Stadium for a four game series against LA. The Dodgers have the division well in hand, but they should be motivated as they are trying to chase down the Braves for home field advantage in the playoffs. Then there is a series against the always dangerous Padres and then ANOTHER series against the Dodgers.

One thing the Giants do have going for them is that the Dodgers do seem to be vulnerable right now. With Julio Urias on administrative leave, the rest of the Dodgers' rotation isn't particularly scary which could give San Francisco a shot in those series. However, LA is still a very good baseball team and it doesn't bode well that the Giants have seven games against them the rest of the way.