With less than two weeks left in the 2020 MLB season, every single game matters in the playoff race.
The Giants found that out the hard way Friday night.
San Francisco entered their game against the A's with a 25-24 record, good for the first NL Wild Card spot and the No. 7 seed in the league.
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But after losing 6-0 to the A's at the Oakland Coliseum, the Giants tumbled to the No. 9 seed, on the outside looking in on the playoff race.
While the Giants and the Cincinnati Reds, the current No. 8 seed, both have .500 winning percentages, the Reds hold the tiebreaker with a better intradivision record, 19-18 to 15-17, according to MLB.com.
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Giants starter Logan Webb lasted just 3 1/3 innings, allowing six hits, six earned runs, two walks while striking out one. It was a rough outing when the Giants desperately needed a win to keep pace in the playoff race.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants weren't expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, but the expanded playoff field has benefited them greatly.
With 10 games remaining (two vs. the A's, four vs. the Colorado Rockies and four vs. the San Diego Padres), the Giants have very little room for error.
Giants fans have been dreaming about a Wild Card round matchup against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. But the team needs to worry about catching the ball before it can turn up field. Just make the playoffs and worry about the opponent later.
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MLB expanded the playoffs in order to create more excitement at the end of the 60-game 2020 season, and they've done just that. The final 10 Giants games are going to be must-see TV, which each contest carrying added weight.
Can the Giants handle the pressure and secure one of the final playoff spots? Or will their inexperience surface at the worst possible time? Those questions will be answered over the next 10 days.