When you take a no-hitter, run support is generally not an issue. HOWEVER, I will admit that as I was driving home the other night, the ESPN radio announcer was documenting Cain's progress into the late innings with a no-hitter and my only thought was "Are we ahead?"
The thought that he could even be pitching a no-hitter and losing the game was certainly in play given the paucity of runs the Giants have scored.
Giants now hold the 1/2 game lead with a game in hand versus the Padres.
The odds of making the playoffs are now:
Giants 83%
Braves 60%
Padres 57%
but these results change nightly. Giants are home for the last six, three versus the D-Backs beginning tomorrow and the season finale versus the Padres, both at home. Padres play the Cubs before meeting the Giants. A wash in terms of competition.
Giants have Lincecum closing against the D-Backs before handing it over to Zito-Cain-Sanchez for the final three. Sanchez may have total control over his guarantee in the finale. Hopefully, a sweep against the D-Backs makes that series one where the Padres have to sweep three to tie. That means the Cubs have to come up with a split against the Pads. Do-able, but we are talking the Cubs, who have long ago mailed in this season. Maybe a lineup of kiddie corps will screw up the scouting report and vitalize the Cubs enough to pull it off.
This one is going to be close. I don't want to be thinking about all the woulda's, coulda's and shoulda's if the Giants don't push this one through the finish line.
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