What we learned as Justin Verlander falls back to Earth in Giants’ loss to Cards

SAN FRANCISCO — Throughout an up-and-down second half, the Giants always have viewed this final homestand as a huge potential boost for their MLB playoff chances. They knew that if they could just get within a game or two of a spot heading into the final week, they would have a decent chance to try and run the table and reach October. They did not, however, enter this homestand within a game or two of the third wild-card spot. And they’re not going to run the table, either. The final homestand of the year started with a 6-5 loss Monday to the St. Louis Cardinals, who pulled into a tie with the Giants in the overall NL standings. The Giants officially could be eliminated from postseason contention as soon as Tuesday. On another warm night at Oracle Park, the teams took turns hitting rockets. There were 10 balls hit at least 106 mph, including five at 110-plus (three by Matt Chapman alone). The scoring started early with a solo shot from Heliot Ramos, and the Giants went up 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth on singles by Ramos and Patrick Bailey. Heliot drives in two more pic.twitter.com/MaJvNmXLVg — SF Giants on NBCS...