AP File Photo: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) delivers against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)

By Jeremy Harness

SAN FRANCISCO– For the Giants, the end of the 2017 season cannot possibly come fast enough, as they prepare to close out the worst season they have had in many years.

 Before they play their last game, however, the Giants do have a chance to screw things up for teams that are in the playoff hunt at this point. One of those teams happens to be the Arizona Diamondbacks, who the Giants will face this weekend at AT&T Park.

 The three-game series will start Friday night, as righty Jeff Samardzija (9-13, 4.47 ERA) will take the hill opposite Arizona lefty Robbie Ray (13-5, 2.81 ERA).

 The Diamondbacks are currently 9 ½ games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, and even though the Dodgers have not clinched the division yet, the chances of Arizona catching them are slim and none at this point.

 However, the Diamondbacks own the first wild-card spot in the National League with a five-game lead. Behind them, with a hold of the second and final wild-card spot are the Colorado Rockies.

 Those two teams are coming off a four-game series that they split right down the middle, with Arizona winning the final two games there, including a 7-0 shutout on Thursday.

 Arizona has a rather-easy schedule going forward following this weekend’s series with the Giants. The Diamondbacks will then head to San Diego to face the Padres for a three-game series before welcoming the Miami Marlins at Chase Field next weekend.

 From that point, the Giants will head down to Arizona for a three-gamer before the Diamondbacks go to Kansas City to wrap up the regular season.

 The Rockies, however, may have an easier schedule in front of them. They will see the Padres twice before the season ends, and sandwiched between series with San Diego, the Giants and Rockies will get together for a two-game series next week.