As August rapidly approaches, the divisional races are starting to tighten up across the league. But that's simply business as usual for the NL West, more specifically the San Francisco Giants, who have a very important week ahead of them as they host a pair of divisional rivals in the Padres and Dodgers at AT&T Park.
San Francisco begins a nine game homestand on Monday with a 1.5 game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West, though host a Padres squad that are 7-3 since the All-Star break despite being 15 games below .500 and 13 games out of first place still. L.A. has a four game set in St. Louis with the Cardinals before flying to the Bay for a weekend set with the rivals at McCovey Cove. After that they will host the Diamondbacks early next week, who remain only six games back of the Giants for first place in the division.
The Giants continue to pick of series victories, but will need to maintain their level of play this week if they want to remain atop the heap.
For more on the Giants head over to McCovey Chronicles.