Why Giants manager Bob Melvin should be on hot seat if struggles continue

San Francisco Giants president Buster Posey may have to evaluate manager Bob Melvin at the All-Star break to see if he is the right person to lead the team moving forward.

The Giants find themselves in a slump after losing another series to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon. That is coming off getting swept by the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park. Both teams are under .500, and that is not a good look for Melvin.

For a short time, the Giants were in first place in the NL West. But now, they are 7.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division.

Melvin and his coaching staff should be blamed for the inconsistencies the Giants continue to make.

In last week's series against the Marlins, with the Giants trailing in the fifth inning, 3-2, third base coach Matt Williams decided to send Rafael Devers, who is playing through a minor groin injury, home on a Heliot Ramos double. He was tagged out at the plate, and the Giants ultimately lost, 4-2.

In the next game, the Giants tied the score at 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning on Patrick Bailey's run-scoring single, but Williams sent Jung Hoo Lee home. He was gunned down halfway down the line, and the Giants ended up dropping the game in the 10th inning, 8-5.

In Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox, Melvin replaced Justin Verlander in the seventh inning, but instead of going with reliable reliever Randy Rodriguez with a 2-1 lead, he brought in Erik Miller and then Ryan Walker, who gave up two runs apiece in the 5-2 loss.

Coaching blunders by the Giants cost them those three winnable games. Melvin is not on the hot seat yet, but he should be if the Giants' coaching miscues continue and the bats remain silent. 

To put it plainly: It's playoffs or bust for the Giants this season.

Posey is about winning games, just like during his playing days when he helped the Giants to three World Series titles. Former team president Farhan Zaidi brought in Melvin, a three-time Manager of the Year. Melvin has shown he can lead teams to success, but it's been slow progress with the Giants, dating back to last season.

"A lot of 'how frustrating' questions, and that’s kind of where we are," Melvin told reporters, as shared by NBC Sports Bay Area. "We have to answer them. But I think when you’re not playing well, it’s tough to win regardless. We’ve beaten good teams. We’ve lost to teams that (their) records aren’t great, but every team in the big leagues has got a chance to beat you."

While Melvin may not be on the hot seat just yet, he better hope the Giants can put together a winning streak before Posey decides to shake things up and bring in his own manager during or after the season.