Yesterday, the San Francisco Giants advanced in the playoffs. Yesterday, the Los Angeles Bums were eliminated from the playoffs. Yesterday was the best of days.

The score was tied, 0-0, at the bottom of the 2nd inning. One out. Man on first and second, Vogelsong at bat. A sacrifice bunt became an infield single. Bases loaded. Four pitches later, the first run scores on a bases loaded walk. 1-0, Giants.

The score was tied, 2-2, at the borrow of the 7th inning. One out. Man on first and second, Pence at bat. A 3-0 count became a full-count became a walk. Bases loaded. Four pitches later, the third run scores on a bases loaded wild pitch. 3-2, Giants.

Two innings or so later, the Giants eliminated the team with the National League's best record.

Does any of that make any sense on any level? No. Baseball, a game where every pitch, at-bat, and play from April to September is recorded and put through the algorithms of advanced statistics; a game where the huge sample sizes allow for the most scientific and methodical analysis of any game on this warming planet, has again neglected to account for this variable: The San Francisco Giants. The Higgs boson has pretty much been figured out; they're still scratching their heads about the Giants.

The Giants, who marched into Washington D.C. for Game 1, gave the ball to Jake Peavy, a pitcher who, despite being a former Cy Young Award winner and World Series champion, had never earned a post-season win, won.

The Giants, who, in Game 2, were down 1-0 in the 9th inning, down to their last out, tied the game and then won the game--nine innings later.

The Giants, who came back to San Francisco for Game 3, and gave the ball to Madison Bumgarner, the god who pitched a complete-game shutout just days before, pitched another shutout into the 7th inning, before losing the game, not on a pitch to the plate, but on a throw to third base.

The Giants, who took a look at the National League's best team, smirked as they graciously accepted a bases loaded walk and wild pitch, and then promptly booked passage to Missouri.

There is no explanation for the San Francisco Giants. There is no rhyme or reason or any semblance of rationality. The even-numbered year theory is the best we have, and until it proves false, we'll go with it because, hey, logic ain't working.

The crazy train is leaving the station. Next stop: St. Louis. Choo choooo!

P.S. Did I mention the Bums were eliminated? Because they were. On the same day that the Giants advanced. Let that winsome thought carry you through the day.