Past Giants recall nerve-wracking 1-game playoff in Chicago

PITTSBURGH — Jeff Kent, the steely 2000 National League Most Valuable Player who rarely betrayed emotion on the field, admitted he was spooked when the Giants lost the final game of the 1998 season in Denver and had to fly to Chicago for a 163rd regular-season game, against the Cubs — winner advances to the playoffs, loser goes home.

“I remember having to get on an airplane with just fear that we had to play a one-game playoff in Chicago at night, the next day,” Kent said.

“I don’t remember much of the game itself. I just remember it being scary. One pitch, one play, one at-bat meant the whole season. What makes it so scary is, I really believe, any team can beat anybody on one day.”

On Wednesday night at PNC Park, the Giants will play their first one-and-out game since that nerve-rattling night at Wrigley Field 16 years ago, which ended in a 5-3 Cubs victory.

http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Past-Giants-recall-nerve-wracking-1-game-playoff-5792356.php

Congrats to all the teams who made it into the playoffs.. GO GIANTS!