4:29 PM
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It won‘t be easy, but there is something special happening again in the city by the bay.
Just two seasons ago, the Giants brought new and old fans together by delivering one of the greatest post-season performances in MLB history, and capturing the coveted World Series title. What happened the following season was something most Giants fans would surely like to forget, as the team failed to re-live the magic and fell out of contention relatively early, due to an onslaught of injuries and total lack of offense. Needless to say, 2011 was a complete bust.
2012 is a different year, however. A chance to start over for a re-invigorated club, shaking off the rust while adding some speed and a few much needed bats. Enter Melky Cabrera.
After spending five years with the Yankees and two with his next two clubs, in Atlanta and Kansas City, respectively, the Melk Man was cast as nothing more than an average player with some pop and a plus arm. All that changed this off-season when the Giants said goodbye to 2010 post-season hero Jonathan Sanchez, and gave Melky another chance to show the baseball world the player he really is. Since arriving to Spring Training in a much leaner physique, he has done nothing but impress and improve here in San Francisco, in what is being heralded as one of the best trades of recent memory, leading all of baseball with 154 hits, and standing 2nd in batting average (.349) behind only Andrew McCutchen (.365). Not to mention he secured the first All-Star spot of his career.
He also embodies what it means to play here in San Francisco, and as we all know, clubhouse tone is something not to be taken for granted. And that is something that was very important and apparent in the team’s 2010 incarnation. You can’t have a good team without good clubhouse atmosphere, and from what we’ve seen so far, this team has it in droves.
Cabrera wasn’t the only addition. Veteran Ryan Theriot has played a key role for the Giants, adding consistent clutch hitting and playing gold glove worthy defense . Angel Pagan also upgraded the teams speed factor, as well as upgrading at the bat over Andres Torres.
Another part of the team’s collective rejuvenation has been it’s “fountain of youth” approach. With young players like Brandon Crawford, Gregor Blanco, Joakin Arias, Hector Sanchez, and Brandon Belt, the Giants have many options when it comes to fresh legs and line-up card freedom. Recent additions Hunter Pence, Marco Scutaro, and Jose Mijares greatly improve the team’s bullpen, bench and out-field, even though Pence is hitting a disappointing .140 with only 6 hits in 43 at bats in a Giants uniform.
Now these are great additions, but what makes this Giants team the team they are? That’s right; pitching, pitching, pitching. With a pitching staff that ranks 6th in the majors (due to slight struggles by ace Matt Cain), the Giants wasted no time in helping the gaping hole in the bullpen left by the eclectic bearded one (Mota receiving a 100 game suspension doesn’t help). Clay Hensley, Brad Penny, and George Kontos have been welcome additions, and will play key roles in giving Bochy some options in the bullpen down the stretch.
And what stands in the Giant’s way from attaining the glory they once recently held? That would be their arch-rival L.A. Dodgers, who have seemingly become a different team, much like the Giants. Bringing in the likes of Hanley Ramirez, Joe Blanton, Shane Victorino, and Brandon League, L.A. looks to be just as set on post-season glory as the Giants. Arizona is right there, and is not out of it yet, as they‘re playing some good ball. It will be a tight race, but the Giants will have the edge down the stretch, and here are the reasons why:
1) Starting rotation--With Barry Zito being a surprise quality arm and Tim Lincecum’s 2nd half resurgence, the rotation is solidified a thousand fold. Matt Cain will return to his perfect form, and all will be well in the one through five. The five starters all can dominate in their own right, with some fine-tuning, this staff will be set.
2) Clubhouse attitude-- As mentioned before, this is very important. There was no magic left in the tank the previous season, but it has never been more apparent that this club of Misfits 2.0 is teething with magic, and sometimes that can be what makes or breaks a team (see the Boston Red Sox colossal Meltdown of 2011).
3) Out of contention teams-- The Padres and Rockies have all but thrown in the towel, as they are too far out of contention to even be considered a threat.
4) The return of Buster Posey-- You would be hard-pressed to find another player that means more to a club than this guy, and I firmly believe he is the heart and soul of this Giants team, however reserved he is. Leadership on the field is just as important, and he has done nothing but lead. Buster Posey is one of those intangibles, and he has proved it a thousand times over by being the come-back player of the year, and will no doubt continue to help this team on their way to the post-season.
5) Upgraded offense-- 2010 was a year of clutch hitting, one run nail-biters, and Black Beard induced heart-attacks with lights out regular/post-season pitching. This year, the offense is averaging almost two more runs per game (4.2) than last season, and have that extra spark we saw in 2010. With Melky, Posey, Pence and the imminent return of Pablo Sandoval, this team is set to have a middle of the order that is just as good as any in baseball.
The San Francisco Giants will win the west as result of similar magic that was present in 2010, with Buster, Melky, and that lights-out pitching staff at the helms. A clash of personalities, a rejuvenated team, bats that are starting to heat up, and an over-all team/city spirit that cannot be beaten, this team is going all the way.
Just two seasons ago, the Giants brought new and old fans together by delivering one of the greatest post-season performances in MLB history, and capturing the coveted World Series title. What happened the following season was something most Giants fans would surely like to forget, as the team failed to re-live the magic and fell out of contention relatively early, due to an onslaught of injuries and total lack of offense. Needless to say, 2011 was a complete bust.
2012 is a different year, however. A chance to start over for a re-invigorated club, shaking off the rust while adding some speed and a few much needed bats. Enter Melky Cabrera.
After spending five years with the Yankees and two with his next two clubs, in Atlanta and Kansas City, respectively, the Melk Man was cast as nothing more than an average player with some pop and a plus arm. All that changed this off-season when the Giants said goodbye to 2010 post-season hero Jonathan Sanchez, and gave Melky another chance to show the baseball world the player he really is. Since arriving to Spring Training in a much leaner physique, he has done nothing but impress and improve here in San Francisco, in what is being heralded as one of the best trades of recent memory, leading all of baseball with 154 hits, and standing 2nd in batting average (.349) behind only Andrew McCutchen (.365). Not to mention he secured the first All-Star spot of his career.
He also embodies what it means to play here in San Francisco, and as we all know, clubhouse tone is something not to be taken for granted. And that is something that was very important and apparent in the team’s 2010 incarnation. You can’t have a good team without good clubhouse atmosphere, and from what we’ve seen so far, this team has it in droves.
Cabrera wasn’t the only addition. Veteran Ryan Theriot has played a key role for the Giants, adding consistent clutch hitting and playing gold glove worthy defense . Angel Pagan also upgraded the teams speed factor, as well as upgrading at the bat over Andres Torres.
Another part of the team’s collective rejuvenation has been it’s “fountain of youth” approach. With young players like Brandon Crawford, Gregor Blanco, Joakin Arias, Hector Sanchez, and Brandon Belt, the Giants have many options when it comes to fresh legs and line-up card freedom. Recent additions Hunter Pence, Marco Scutaro, and Jose Mijares greatly improve the team’s bullpen, bench and out-field, even though Pence is hitting a disappointing .140 with only 6 hits in 43 at bats in a Giants uniform.
Now these are great additions, but what makes this Giants team the team they are? That’s right; pitching, pitching, pitching. With a pitching staff that ranks 6th in the majors (due to slight struggles by ace Matt Cain), the Giants wasted no time in helping the gaping hole in the bullpen left by the eclectic bearded one (Mota receiving a 100 game suspension doesn’t help). Clay Hensley, Brad Penny, and George Kontos have been welcome additions, and will play key roles in giving Bochy some options in the bullpen down the stretch.
And what stands in the Giant’s way from attaining the glory they once recently held? That would be their arch-rival L.A. Dodgers, who have seemingly become a different team, much like the Giants. Bringing in the likes of Hanley Ramirez, Joe Blanton, Shane Victorino, and Brandon League, L.A. looks to be just as set on post-season glory as the Giants. Arizona is right there, and is not out of it yet, as they‘re playing some good ball. It will be a tight race, but the Giants will have the edge down the stretch, and here are the reasons why:
1) Starting rotation--With Barry Zito being a surprise quality arm and Tim Lincecum’s 2nd half resurgence, the rotation is solidified a thousand fold. Matt Cain will return to his perfect form, and all will be well in the one through five. The five starters all can dominate in their own right, with some fine-tuning, this staff will be set.
2) Clubhouse attitude-- As mentioned before, this is very important. There was no magic left in the tank the previous season, but it has never been more apparent that this club of Misfits 2.0 is teething with magic, and sometimes that can be what makes or breaks a team (see the Boston Red Sox colossal Meltdown of 2011).
3) Out of contention teams-- The Padres and Rockies have all but thrown in the towel, as they are too far out of contention to even be considered a threat.
4) The return of Buster Posey-- You would be hard-pressed to find another player that means more to a club than this guy, and I firmly believe he is the heart and soul of this Giants team, however reserved he is. Leadership on the field is just as important, and he has done nothing but lead. Buster Posey is one of those intangibles, and he has proved it a thousand times over by being the come-back player of the year, and will no doubt continue to help this team on their way to the post-season.
5) Upgraded offense-- 2010 was a year of clutch hitting, one run nail-biters, and Black Beard induced heart-attacks with lights out regular/post-season pitching. This year, the offense is averaging almost two more runs per game (4.2) than last season, and have that extra spark we saw in 2010. With Melky, Posey, Pence and the imminent return of Pablo Sandoval, this team is set to have a middle of the order that is just as good as any in baseball.
The San Francisco Giants will win the west as result of similar magic that was present in 2010, with Buster, Melky, and that lights-out pitching staff at the helms. A clash of personalities, a rejuvenated team, bats that are starting to heat up, and an over-all team/city spirit that cannot be beaten, this team is going all the way.
Posted in: Baseball,Brian Wilson,buster posey,Hunter Pence,Los Angeles Dodgers,Marco Scutaro,Matt Cain,melky cabrera,MLB,pablo sandoval,Ryan theriot,San Francisco Giants,Tim Lincecum
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