Series Preview- SF Giants vs. Reds: searching for a series win

The SF Giants salvaged a win against Atlanta, but have now lost 7 consecutive series. The Reds may be their last real chance to stay in the Wild Card race.

The SF Giants no longer have room for error. Now officially on the outside looking in, the orange and black will have to dig deep if they want to claw their way back into Wild Card contention. 

This Sunday was a good start. San Francisco produced a lot of good results to build on: a successful Tristan Beck start, productive offense from Casey Schmitt and Wade Meckler, and Camilo Doval returning to form, amongst others. The biggest thing, though, was this:

Patty Barrels brings everybody home 🔥

pic.twitter.com/oVUdBQWUFS

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) August 28, 2023

The Giants have been more than capable of loading the bases since the All-Star Break, and they've even been able to squeeze a few runners home. But in the most disadvantageous position for opposing pitchers to be in, Giants hitters have rarely felt control. They've been looking for that clutch hit that turns "setting the table" into a true "big inning," and Patrick Bailey finally delivered it. Once that dam breaks, the runs will come flooding in.

They'll have to, anyways, if the Giants want to stay afloat in a Wild Card competition that threatens to drag them under. Six teams remain within 3.5 games of the final Wild Card spot, and the Giants are no longer one of the keeper of any of the three slots that would grant a position in the playoffs. With Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Atlanta seemingly having sewn up their divisions, everyone else is being forced to scrap for what's left.

Wild Card standings as of the morning of August 28, 2023. The SF Giants stand 1.5 games back of the third Wild Card spot

With Philadelphia on top, it'll be tough for the Giants to make a run against them, given the 5.0 game difference. But San Francisco holds the season series tie-breaker against the Phillies, and would get priority for seeding purposes. Chicago and Arizona will both match up against the Giants in the coming weeks, and season series tie-breakers for both teams are still up in the air. Miami remains lurking and San Diego is dangerous and spiteful enough to play spoiler, even if they don't climb back in. It would be a tough stretch even without starting against the Cincinnati Reds, who remain in lockstep with the Giants. From here on out, even the smallest mistake could send San Francisco hurtling into an abyss that they'll never escape from. 

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Series details:

Who: SF Giants vs. Cincinnati Reds
Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
When: August 28-30, Monday (6:45 PM), Tuesday (6:45 PM), and Wednesday (12:45 PM). All times Pacific.

Giants' current streak: W1, 3-7 in last 10, 67-63 overall, 1.5 GB Wild Card

Reds' current streak: L1, 5-5 in last 10, 68-64 overall, 1.5 GB Wild Card

Projected starters:

Monday: Kyle Harrison* (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Andrew Abbot* (8-3, 3.16 ERA)

Tuesday: Alex Cobb (6-5, 3.74 ERA) vs. Brandon Williamson* (4-3, 4.18 ERA)

Wednesday: Logan Webb (9-10, 3.51 ERA) vs. Hunter Greene (2-6, 5.06 ERA)

*Indicates LHP

**Indicates opener

How to watch, listen

• SF Giants broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area, KNBR 680/1510 AM
• Opposing broadcast: Bally Sports Ohio, WLW 700
• National broadcasts: MLB Network (Tuesday, out-of-market only)
• Live stream: fuboTV (start your free trial)