Stock Up, Stock Down: Astros, Rangers, Yankees, Giants

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 03: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros slides to second base against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning in Game Five of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 03, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 03: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros slides to second base against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning in Game Five of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 03, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Jun 11, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Joc Pederson (23) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Joc Pederson (23) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: San Francisco Giants fade

The San Francisco Giants have been in the thick of the National League Wild Card race since June, but manager Gabe Kapler is watching his team slide quickly in the standings. They hit rock bottom this week on the road.

They dropped the final three games of a series with the San Diego Padres after winning the opener, then they went to Wrigley Field for a three-game set with the Chicago Cubs, one of the teams they’re in a fight with for a Wild Card berth. Things went from bad against the Padres to worse against the Cubs.

Chicago swept the Giants and San Francisco finds themselves 2.5 games back for the final playoff spot in the National League, needing to jump three teams to get into a spot. With just over three weeks left in the season, this last week may have done Kapler’s team. They host the Colorado Rockies this weekend in a series that seems like it’s a must-sweep for the Giants.

There are 23 days left until the 2023 season ends and this week was a big week for some teams in terms of positioning themselves for the postseason, while the Giants and Rangers didn’t do themselves any favors.