Don't check the standings in June

Giants 5, Astros 3

The Giants are right about where you expect them to be, hanging a game below .500.

They're also in the last place you expect them to be: a playoff spot.

Huh?

At 34-35, the Giants sit in the third wild card spot. But objects in the mirror are closer than they appear. Six teams (!) are within one game of the Giants playoff spot. Six teams! The Cubs, Reds, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Pirates, and Nationals are all a day away from sitting where the Giants do.

It's hard enough to get playoff fever in June—it’s even harder when half the National League shares the same diagnosis. All with the same mediocre rosters. This isn't the kind of postseason "race" that I want, but ask me again in September.

66-67 might feel a little different than 34-35.

Up next: The Giants are off today before welcoming the Angels to San Francisco this weekend. If you’re looking for something to listen to, myself and Sam Blum, who covers the Angels for The Athletic, co-host a podcast about the Angels: Calling All Halos. Enjoy.