The San Francisco Giants’ playoff hopes are officially dead — and the way it happened couldn’t have been more brutal. Up 8–3 in St. Louis, they looked ready to extend the fight, but the bullpen imploded and the Cardinals stormed back for a 9–8 win that eliminated San Francisco from postseason contention. We’ll break down the game, what it says about this team’s season-long flaws, and hear from Bob Melvin and Logan Webb about the bitter disappointment of falling short.

Then, we dive into the big picture: MLB’s ABS (Automated Balls & Strikes) challenge system is set to arrive in 2026. What does that mean for Patrick Bailey, one of the game’s elite pitch framers? We’ll examine the numbers, Bailey’s own comments, and why his value could shift — but not disappear — in the new era of umpiring.

Finally, with October now out of reach, what should the Giants’ priorities be to close out 2025? From Willie Adames chasing 30 homers, to Bryce Eldridge and Drew Gilbert needing real at-bats, to Grant McCray maybe earning a look — we’ll cover what the team should focus on in the final stretch.

0:00 Giants ELIMINATED

10:41 Arrival of ABS

19:29 Priorities to end the season

Tune in for a detailed breakdown on the current state of your San Francisco Giants!

Locked On Giants podcast is your daily ticket to stay ahead of the game and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the San Francisco Giants and Major League Baseball. Hosted by Allen Stiles, a lifelong Giants fan, current radio host and digital creator that has covered the Giants for years, the Locked On Giants podcast provides your daily Giants fix with expert, local analysis, and coverage of all aspects of the Giants franchise, including game breakdowns and transactions in a data-driven way that’s rational but simple, passionate and accessible. Locked On Giants takes you beyond the scoreboard for the inside scoops on the biggest stories from within the Giants locker room and all over MLB. The Locked On Giants podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

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