Heading into the 2017 season, a July 28-30 series between the Giants and Dodgers looked to have the potential of being a classic. Rivals? Picked by many to be atop the N.L. West? Playing big time games prior to the trading deadline? Fair to say, these dates were circled on a number of calendars.
Now that we’re here, it hasn’t shaken out like that. The Giants are really, really bad. And the Dodgers are really, really good.
Sitting at 40-63, the Giants find themselves 31.5 games behind the division-leading Dodgers, who are 40 games over .500 with a 71-31 mark.
These three games at Chavez Ravine won’t make or break either team’s playoff fate. Don’t be mistaken, however. This series still matters to both the Giants and Dodgers.
Mike Krukow joined Murph and Mac to discuss why this series is still worth getting up for and what has contributed to the Dodgers putting together a historic 2017 season.
“The only pressure is that of the rivalry,” Krukow said. “It’s all about pride. That’s what this weekend is all about, and every time the Giants see the Dodgers the rest of the way, it’s going to be about that. There is a little something extra. In a year where you have a down year for the fans, the Giants fans still want to beat the Dodgers, and vice versa. That’s the way it’s always going to be.”
Believe it or not, the Giants actually have won six of the 10 games played between both clubs this season. They’ll look to keep the upper hand this weekend.
Regardless, it doesn’t take away from the season the Dodgers have put together. Everything is clicking, and the club is currently on pace for 112 wins.
“Guys have to have career years, and that’s how you win,” Krukow said. “If you have guys that are struggling, you’re not going to have a great year. It’s just that simple. That’s why it can change from year to year so quickly.”
You don’t need to tell the Giants that. Brandon Belt is hitting .238, Joe Panik is at .265, Brandon Crawford at .232 and Hunter Pence is at .244. The list doesn’t stop there, either. Players that have helped bring world championships to San Francisco have just been in a funk throughout the 2017 season, and it’s cost them.
To listen to Krukow’s full interview with Murph and Mac, click below.
