DENVER — Fast forward to Tuesday, October 1.
The Giants have just finished off one of the best second halves in team history and secured one of the National League’s two Wild Card playoff berths.
As they prepare to take the field, Madison Bumgarner is warming up in one bullpen. Johnny Cueto is warming up in the other.
It’s a potential nightmare scenario for the Giants and up until three weeks ago, facing Bumgarner with the season on the line was wildly unrealistic. It’s long been assumed that one of the greatest postseason pitchers in modern baseball will be traded ahead of the July 31 deadline, but the Giants’ sudden surge up the standings is likely giving the front office second thoughts.