For a franchise that has won three titles in the last five years, a curse would seem to be the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. But as the 2015 Major League Baseball season reaches its September stretch, the San Francisco Giants will be looking to break a “curse” of their own.
Although the Giants’ World Series triumphs in 2010, 2012, and 2014 represent great success, their subsequent collapse in 2011 and last-place finish in 2013 have caused some fans to label the Giants with an “odd-year” curse.
Some Carlmont students aren’t quick to declare it.
“It sure feels like it,” said senior Natalie Kiyasu. “I wouldn’t say there’s a curse but we do seem to have some trouble retaining the trophy. Right now we are at least still in the playoff race so there is still hope to ‘break the curse.’”
Other students flat out deny any type of curse.
“The way I look at it, the curse doesn’t exist,” said senior Spencer Stewart. “See, the Giants take a year off every other year to make sure the other teams feel good. Every year that the Giants won it was followed with some significant roster changes and I think that has more to do with it than anything else.”
Curses aside, the Giants do have some work to do if they plan on making the playoffs this October.
As of Aug. 23, the San Francisco Giants stand one and a half games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League West division league, and six games behind the Chicago Cubs for the second National League wildcard spot.
Bright spots of the season have been the strong pitching of ace Madison Bumgarner, shortstop Brandon Crawford, and the surprise emergence of Matt Duffy, who replaced the formerly beloved Pablo Sandoval at third.
A prominent weakness for the team has been the starting pitching behind Bumgarner. The struggles of Matt Cain, Jake Peavy, and Tim Hudson have forced manager Bruce Bochy to dive into the trade market and acquire starter Mike Leake from the Cincinnati Reds.
Injured veteran pitcher Tim Lincecum was happy with the move.
“Right now with what’s going on, I think we kind of needed it. Extra spark,” said Lincecum.
Senior Sam Levy agrees with the move and is confident with the Giants playoff prospects.
“They are definitely capable of catching up with the Dodgers,” said Levy. “The biggest issue besides getting the team 100 percent healthy is the starting pitching. We know Bumgarner will get it done, but we need the others to step up. They’re almost out of the tough part of the schedule and once they get guys like Panik and Pence back, they are definitely going to at least have a chance.”
