The last time the Giants faced the Astros, the Astros, for whatever reason, gave the Giants everything they had. The Giants, a team fresh off a 98-loss season and with replacement players all over the roster, had to face Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander, in that order, for, like, no reason. It went as poorly for the Giants as you’d expect, the sole “highlight” coming from Brandon Crawford ruining the family vacation when he homered off of Cole.
Now, the Giants find themselves in a very slight position to be in the outskirts of a slim-chanced playoff race at home where they’re generally better and against an Astros team that will be without Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and, most likely, George Springer.