Many, many fans had written off the Giants weeks ago — that is until they swept the top-ranked LA Dodgers in their final regular season series Sunday. Continuing a tradition of even-year nail-biters that clinch places in the playoffs, the Giants won the second National League wild card spot in their final game, which means they head to New York Wednesday to play one more game against defending NL champs the Mets to seal the deal.

Says Madison Bumgarner, via ABC 7, "We found a way to get back to where we need to be. If we play like we have been the last three days, we'll be tough to beat."

Had things not gone so well Sunday, the Giants would have needed to play a tie-breaker against the St. Louis Cardinals. And this was the fourth time in seven years that the Giants have clinched a playoff spot — doing so in game #162 just as they did in 2010.

The score was 7 to 1, with Denard Span hitting a two-run triple, and Buster Posey driving in three runs all in the first two innings. "They were on a mission,” coach Bruce Bochy said to the Examiner. “You could tell, they did not want to fly to St. Louis tonight."

Bungarner, talking to the Ex, said, "We went through a lot of adversity this year. Shoot. It seems like we always do. I think that’s good for a team. It helps build character. I’m just really excited to get this chance."

This was also the final game being called by Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, who's retiring after 67-year career.

Previously: The Beanstalk: The Mixed Bag Of August