MLB Team Outlook: San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants have been in the headlines in the recent past because their manager Bruce Bochy is accused of selecting his team players in the National League All-Star team even though they did not deserve a place. The end result is that National
League won the All-Star Game rather comprehensively and all of the players performed.
Nonetheless, the criticism could have been rubbished initially because the Giants are the National League West Division leaders by a clear margin. They have a win-loss record of 52-40 followed by Arizona Diamondbacks who have a win-loss record of 49-43.
The Giants were among the top four teams in 2010 and they have replicated their feat thus far in 2011. This success comes from consistent teamwork by a closely knit unit.
San Francisco have a strong pitching staff. Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum are the leading starting pitchers for the Giants and they are well supported by the bearded Brian Wilson who famously raised a victory sign when the NL thrashed the American League in
the All-Star encounter.
Matt Cain has a decent win-loss record at 8-5 at a respectable ERA of 3.06. He has managed to cross the 100 strike-outs mark this season thus far and promises more as the second-half progresses.
The long-haired Tim Lincecum is on a strike-out spree. In 123.1 innings pitched thus far, Lincecum has bagged 132 strike-outs and leads the Giants’ pitching staff in strike-outs. Lincecum’s ERA is identical to Cain’s at 3.06 and he needs to maintain his
performance if the Giants have to remain in the top four.
A true asset to the Giants is Brian Wilson who is famous for pitching effectively at the end. He exhibited his skill for the National League and has repeatedly done it for San Francisco. His 26 saves are a major ingredient in the Giants’ success.
A forceful pitching’ staff accompanied by a consistent batting line-up is all what is required in baseball for success. This seems to be true for the San Francisco Giants. Miguel Tejada, Aubrey Huff and Pablo Sandoval faultlessly compliment their pitchers.
Sandoval has a slugging percentage of .503 and a batting average of .303. He has gathered a decent 26 runs so far accompanied by 59 useful hits.
Miguel Tejada has been useful with the bat, scoring 27 runs and 25 RBIs. He has 70 hits to his name so far and the Giants need him to continue hitting regularly so that their place at the top spot is cemented.
Aubrey Huff has been hitting magnificently. Although much behind the league leaders, Huff leads his team in the home-runs, RBIs and total hits. His eight home-runs and 44 RBIs have come at useful times but he now needs to increase his numbers to ensure success
for San Francisco.
The Giants now have to play a four-game series against the Padres. San Diego is on a five-game losing streak and has won just three of their last ten games. With the Giants coming strong, their losing streak does not seem to end here.
It will be a good start to the second-half of this season for the Giants as their batters and pitchers will get some good practice against the weaker Padres. A convincing 4-0 victory on the road may kick start a promising second-half for San Francisco.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: