Giants Hoping for Postseason Magic in Elimination Game Test
San Francisco is 9-0 in elimination games since 2010
By Brendan Weber ••
It's not necessarily the start the San Francisco Giants were hoping for in the National League Division Series, but the Bay Area squad will have to put the past two outings in the rear view mirror in a do-or-die game Monday night.
Despite sitting in a less-than-desirable 0-2 series hole, this is not uncharted territory for the San Francisco team looking to regain some of its even year postseason magic.
The Giants found themselves down two games to none against the Cincinnati Reds back in 2012 before rallying to win three consecutive contests and advance to the National League Championship Series. But facing a full-of-confidence Chicago Cubs team that also happens to be Major League Baseball's winningest squad in 2016 is a bit different story.
"We've been down in the first series 0-2, but not in this exact position," Giants outfielder Hunter Pence told reporters. "Every year is a different year. It's definitely not an ideal situation. We understand the situation. Our backs are against the wall."
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after doubling in the game winning run in the thirteenth inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: John Lackey #41 of the Chicago Cubs is unable to make the play against Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants at first base in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants scores on a single by Matt Moore #45 in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with first base coach Bill Hayes #58 after an RBI single in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with first base coach Bill Hayes #58 after an RBI single in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants hits an RBI single in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after a inning ending double play against the Chicago Cubs during Game Four of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 11: Matt Moore #45 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning of Game Four of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 11, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with Brandon Belt #9 after he doubled home the game winning run in the thirteenth inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after doubling in the game winning run in the thirteenth inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Joe Panik #12 of the San Francisco Giants doubles home the game winning run in the thirteenth inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Manager Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants hands the ball to Javier Lopez #49 in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates scoring on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Belt #9 in the fifth inning of Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Brandon Belt #9 of the San Francisco Giants forces out Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs at first base in the fifth inning at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Manager Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants relives Ty Blach #50 in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants throws to first base in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: Brandon Belt #9 of the San Francisco Giants hits in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 08: George Kontos #70 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Angel Pagan #16 of the San Francisco Giants reaches on an infield single in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 08: Jeff Samardzija #29 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants throws to first base in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacey Revere/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Angel Pagan #16 of the San Francisco Giants hits a double in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants is picked off at first base in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacey Revere/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants walks to the dugout before the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacey Revere/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants hits a sacrifice bunt in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacey Revere/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Cueto #47 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs tags out Gorkys Hernandez #66 of the San Francisco Giants during a steal attempt in the first inning at Wrigley Field on October 7, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates their 3-0 victory over the New York Mets in the locker room after their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on Oct. 5, 2016, in New York City.
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with teammates Joe Panik #12 and Brandon Crawford #35 after hitting a three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates their 3-0 win over the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants runs the bases as he celebrates his three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants hits a three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants hits a three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 celebrates with third base coach Roberto Kelly #39 of the San Francisco Giants as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Conor Gillaspie #21 of the San Francisco Giants hits a three-run homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants steals second against Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets in the fifth inning during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Angel Pagan #16 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after hitting a single in the seventh inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the sixth inning during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants hits a single in the sixth inning during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants bats in the seventh inning against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Mets during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: T.J. Rivera #54 of the New York Mets is caught in a rundown by Joe Panik #12 and Brandon Crawford #35 of the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning during their National League Wild Card game at Citi Field on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after allowing a three-run home run to Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants speaks with Buster Posey #28 during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after allowing a three-run home run to Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants speaks with Buster Posey #28 and pitching coach Dave Righetti #19 during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants hits an RBI single in the third inning during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants scores on an RBI single by Buster Posey #28 in the third inning during Game Three of their National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants hits a double in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Denard Span #2 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after hitting a double in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants thows a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 10: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after flying out to right field in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs during Game Three of their National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 10, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Through two games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, San Francisco's offense has struggled to ignite any rhythm. Giant bats were shut out in Game 1 facing veteran Jon Lester. The following evening, San Francisco tallied six hits against Kyle Hendricks, the National League's regular season leader in earned run average, and the rest of Chicago's bullpen.
"It's playoff baseball, and we know it's going to be low-scoring," infielder Joe Panik told reporters. "But obviously we have to be better as an offense, to jump out to a lead and keep going."
San Francisco batters will be tested yet again in Game 3 in their home confines against Jake Arrieta, an 18-game winner in the regular season that has faced the Giants twice this season. In three career playoff starts, the right-hander is 2-1 with a 3.66 ERA.
Fortunately for San Francisco, reliable ace Madison Bumgarner is slated to take the hill for Monday's contest, which is scheduled for 6:38 p.m. The left-hander has a 1.94 earned run average in 15 career postseason appearances. Under the pressure in elimination games, Bumgarner has hurled 23 straight scoreless innings.
"That gives us a little confidence, obviously," Panik told reporters. "It's about winning one game at a time. I know that's a cliche, but you can't worry about winning three if you don't win the first one."
Arrieta and Bumgarner went toe-to-toe on the rubber back in September. The Giants got the better of the Cubs in that outing, earning a 3-2 decision. Tallying six innings of work each, Bumgarner allowed two runs on five hits to go along with 10 strikeouts while Arrieta granted three runs on four hits.
In his last outing at the end of September, Arrieta was tagged for 10 hits and seven runs while squaring off against the Pittsburg Pirates. In a much different affair, Bumgarner shined in his last bit of work, pitching a complete-game shutout against the New York Mets in the win-or-go-home National League Wild Card Game.
The San Francisco workhorse, who hopes to have a repeat Wild Card performance Monday, understands the magnitude of what's at stake.
"There hasn't been a whole lot to talk because everybody knows what kind of spot we're in," he told reporters. "The only thing we can do is come in and win (Monday). That's it. Win or go home."
Chicago manager Joe Maddon is certainly aware of Bumgarner's postseason dominance and San Francisco's ability to thrive when the pressure is ramped up.
"They're pros, man," he told reporters. "I've said that from the very first day the respect I have for that group. You see how they react to different moments. They never panic."
If the Giants can extend the series to a Game 4 scenario, they will have pushed their record in playoff elimination games to 10-0 since 2010.
