The Giants are no longer in control of their playoff fate after back-to-back losses to the Padres. Gabe Kapler aired his frustrations with his team to the media before looking ahead to their must-win game Sunday.
The Giants cut three longtime members of the team over the past couple of months, but one of them might be sneaking into the playoffs at the last second.
Pablo Sandoval was activated by the Atlanta Braves on Sunday morning and will start at third base in their final game. That would set Sandoval up to be on the first-round roster for the NL East champs. Sandoval signed a minor league deal with the Braves after getting DFA'd by the Giants, who preferred to take a look at Justin Smoak, and had been working out at their alternate site in recent weeks.
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Sandoval hit just .220 in 33 appearances for the Giants this season. Like Hunter Pence and Jeff Samardzija, his run in San Francisco ended with a DFA, but he could end up being the only member of the 2020 Giants to play in October. That's a month Sandoval always has been comfortable in.
He has a .344 career average in the playoffs with six homers, although he hasn't had a trip since 2014.
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With Sunday's roster move, the Braves further solidified their status as Giants East. They have Mark Melancon as their closer and Will Smith in their bullpen, and Adam Duvall has hit 16 homers. If the Braves win it all, Charlie Culberson -- DFA'd earlier this month -- also will get a ring.
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