Even the biggest fan of the Giants would not have thought that their trade deadline moves would prove costly at the last leg of the regular season. Currently, the Giants are ranked third in the NL West with a 75-74 record, and 7 games behind the Padres. So, playoffs chance seems grim considering it’s difficult for them to get into the top 2 now. However, check the Wild Card standings, and you will feel bad for the Giants.

The current NL Wild Card standings show the Giants in fourth place behind the Mets. And guess what, they are just 2 games behind the Mets. Considering how the Mets are currently performing, the Giants could all push to get into the playoffs scenario through the Wild Card. But how to do that? Because they have traded their reliable players like Camilo Doval to the Yankees and Tyler Rogers to the Mets. MLB insider Bob Nightengale shared why the Giants should regret their moves.

“The Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks could be kicking themselves all winter if they miss out on the postseason. Both teams surrendered and waved the white flag at the trade deadline…. Then again, who would have known that the Mets would go into a complete collapse and leave the door open for a second-half turnaround?” Nightengale said via USA Sports.

Well, the two reasons behind the Giants’ sudden bright note at the last leg of the season are the Mets’ historic slump and Rafael Devers’ late heroics.

Since the Mets swept the Phillies back in August, they have been traveling downward only. Reportedly, the Mets were over .500 till June 12. But by the 11th of this month, they are standing with a 31-46 record. That’s the 4th worst in MLB. And in the last 10 games, the Mets are going 2-8, thus opening a sudden window of opportunity for the Giants to get over them.

So, it was a misplay by the Giants to not anticipate this opportunity and not to hold their key players at the trade deadline. However, on the other hand, it was their play to land Rafael Devers that clicked. Reportedly, over his last 15 games, Devers is hitting .328 with 6 HRs. Result? The Giants won seven of their last 10!

And just when the Giants could leap into the Wild Card race, their trade deadline surrender to the Yankees and Mets is proving costly. Doval was pitching with a 3.09 ERA this season with the Giants. On the other hand, Rogers was going 1.80 ERA before the trade deadline. But the Giants believed trading them for a financial cushion would be better.

October Dream is still on for the Giants

Now that the Giants traded away their two reliable arms, the hope is still there to get the team to the postseason. The first reason is the presence of Matt Chapman!

Call it a coincidence or not, but the Giants are 63-53 with Chapman in the lineup and just 12-21 without him. And their worst stretches came during his two stints on the IL. Hence, there’s no doubt that the Giants just look more organized and locked in when their veteran is out there. This time, if the Giants could make it to the playoffs, Chapman will be there.

The next reason will be the presence of Willy Adames and Devers. While neither of them was expected to strike gold from the batter’s box, they actually changed the scene for the Giants. For example, since last month, both hitters scored 12 HRs, and that’s the third best in the NL. Again, the Giants surely didn’t expect this turnaround. And Devers is looking to hit 30 HRs, the most by a Giants’ slugger since Barry Bonds back in 2004.

Hence, the offense that was looking like a stagnant force just a month ago is now confident to score big for the postseason. Hereon, the Giants have 13 more games left. Considering they made big from their remaining games and the Mets continuing their slump, we could expect a miracle. Surprises, that’s what baseball is known for.