Jonathan Sanchez Guarantees a Giants Playoff Birth

"We are going to make the playoffs" -Jonathan Sanchez, August 8 2010.

In a few months this could look good or really bad.

Sanchez is making a bold prediction not quite on the same scale as Joe Namath proclaiming that his Jets would win the Super Bowl but still a big statement with two months to go in the season and only a slim lead in the wild card.

It seems not only is he guaranteeing a playoff appearance but it seems also that he is gunning for the first place Padres. The road will be tough with a bunch of teams that are still in contention coming up for the team.

"San Diego has been winning series all year. …But we're going to play San Diego now and we're going to beat them three times. If we get to first place, we're not going to look back."

Sanchez of all people seems like a guy who can back up that statement; this is a team that he has thrown his no hitter and a one hitter against.

	Team	W	L	ERA	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	SO/9	SO/BB
	San Diego Padres	2	4	2.70	9	66.2	40	20	20	5	26	71	0.990	9.6	2.73

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/11/2010.

Sanchez has reportedly taken some heat for these comments, but I would rather have a guy who is out there looking to take down the top team then a guy who gives us the same old tired worn out cliche that they "take it one game at a time" and "every game is important and every team is the same." It's nice to hear some real desire to get into first place and there is nothing wrong with some trash talking but you better be able to back it up.

I hope that Sanchez is right and that maybe this is part of him getting focused because this has been a major issue for him for his career.