SF Giants must watch out for forgotten NL West team in Wild Card race

The SF Giants were dealt a disappointing blow to their Wild Card hopes after they suffered back-to-back losses against the hated Dodgers with their aces on the mound. With the Mets also defeating the Rangers in extras on Sunday, the Giants currently sit 1.5 games behind them in the chase for the third and final Wild Card spot. It is not, however, a two-horse race for the coveted ticket to the postseason. Another team in the Giants’ own division is neck-and-neck with them in the hunt.

The Diamondbacks, despite flying under the radar pretty much all season, have had a very similar year to the Giants. With an even 75-75 record, the Snakes are only half a game behind the Giants in the standings, and their +23 run differential is almost exactly the same as the Giants’ +22 mark as of Monday morning. The two teams start a pivotal three-game series against each other in the desert that could make-or-break each team's aspirations.

SF Giants need to look out for Diamondbacks in NL Wild Card race

Also like the Giants, the D-backs were sellers at the trade deadline, trading off Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez in separate deals with the Mariners. Those corner infielders were two of Arizona’s most productive bats, though they’ve managed to play meaningful games well into September regardless.

Arizona has put up a 24-17 record since August 1st, so while the Mets may be faltering, the Snakes’ record bests the Giants’ 21-19 mark over the same time period. With Randy Rodriguez lost for the year in addition to the host of bullpen departures the Giants have already weathered, and their two top starting pitchers struggling against the Dodgers over the weekend, the Giants find themselves in need of a shot in the arm to hold off the Diamondbacks and overtake the Mets. The Reds, too, have lost three in a row but are still at least worth keeping an eye on in the race.

Buster Posey and co. are banking on Bryce Eldridge being the shot in the arm the Giants need to go on another winning run, much like Drew Gilbert was when he was called up. Eldridge is the #13 prospect in all of baseball per MLB.com and easily the best in the Giants’ system, but even with all that hype, he’s still only 20 years old. Dom Smith’s unfortunate hamstring injury opened up some playing time at first base for Eldridge, though, and calling him up is a clear signal from Posey that he wants to give the big-league club all the weapons they can use to still make a run at October baseball.

Still, while the Mets are the team the Giants are chasing they need to take care of business against Arizona in this three-game series otherwise it could be the Diamondbacks who chase down the Mets in the NL Wild Card race.

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