The National League Wild Card spot is up for grabs between two equally matched teams. Here are 5 reasons why the Giants will take this game from the Mets.
When the Giants meet the Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday for the National League Wild Card game, both teams are going to fight hard for the spot in the playoffs. At stake: More October baseball, and a trip to Chicago to take on the Cubs in the National League Division Series.
The Giants and the Mets both earned their playoff berths during the last series of their respective seasons, and they both finished with 87-75 records. They’re incredibly well matched going into this wild card game, but the Mets have been plagued with late season injuries and their bench isn’t as deep as that of the Giants. The game will likely come down to pitching, and that’s where the Giants have a huge advantage over the Mets with Madison Bumgarner.
Of course, it’s true that the Giants held the best record going into the All Star Break and then ended the second half of the season with a 30-42 record. But this is 2016, an even year, and the Giants have the experience to win this game and head to Chicago to face the Cubs.
5. Why Not a Four-Peat?
The Giants have won the World Series every even year since 2010, and now it’s 2016. It’s time for another win. To get to the World Series, the Giants know they are backed against a wall and there is no room for mistakes.
Giants first baseman Brandon Belt feels confident going on the road to win this game. The Giants have been in that situation before, and, as Belt says, “We know with Bumgarner on the mound, we’re going to have a good shot.”