2012 San Francisco Giants Predictions
The Giants won it all in 2010, notching their first World Series title since relocating to San Francisco over 50 years ago. They got the job done with exceptional pitching and timely hitting.
The pitching staff sizzled again in 2011 with a 3.21 ERA – second-best in the majors – but it was not able to overcome a historically bad offense. As a result, the Giants finished second in the NL West with an 86-76 record.
If the offense can turn things around, the pitching is still in place to make another run at the World Series.
Projected Pitching
Starting rotation: Tim Lincecum (R) – The two-time NL Cy Young winner is coming off his first losing season. He went 13-14 despite a 2.74 ERA because the Giants scored one run or fewer in 16 of his 33 starts.
Matt Cain (R) – Cain, who went 12-11 with a 2.88 ERA in 221.2 innings last year, has won at least 12 games each of the past three seasons.
Madison Bumgarner (L) – The 22-year-old southpaw went 13-13 with a 3.21 ERA while logging 204.2 innings in his first full season as a starter.
Ryan Vogelsong (R) – Vogelsong hadn’t had an ERA better than 4.43 in five previous major league seasons before going 13-7 with a 2.71 ERA last year.
Barry Zito (L) – Zito hasn’t been the star the Giants thought they were getting when they signed him to a $126 million deal, but he’s serviceable at the bottom of the rotation.
Closer: Brian Wilson (R) – Injuries kept Wilson from building on a sensational 2010 campaign, during which he tied Rod Beck’s franchise record for saves with 48. Wilson still saved 36 games last season.
Projected Lineup
Buster Posey (Catcher) – The Giants really missed Posey’s bat when he was lost for the majority of the season with a broken left leg. We’re talking about a guy who batted .305 with 18 home runs and 67 RBIs in 108 games in 2010.
Aubrey Huff (First Base) – Huff must produce to keep a hold of the everyday first base job. He slugged 12 homers and knocked in 59 runs but only batted .246 last year.
Freddy Sanchez (Second Base) – Sanchez hits well when healthy enough to play. He’s batted at least .271 each of the past seven seasons.
Pablo Sandoval (Third Base) – Sandoval was one of the Giants’ few bright spots at the plate in 2011. He batted .315 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs.
Brandon Crawford (Shortstop) – The Giants like what they see from Crawford and will give him every opportunity to be the everyday shortstop.
Melky Cabrera (Left Field) – Cabrera is a good pickup. He batted .305 with 44 doubles, 18 round trippers and 87 RBIs for Kansas City last season.
Angel Pagan (Center Field) – Pagan should supply the Giants with more offense as well. He hit .262 with 56 RBIs in 123 games for the Mets a year ago.
Nate Schierholtz (Right Field) – He bounced back from a rough 2010 and hit .278 with 41 RBIs in 115 games.
Prediction – 1st Place NL West: With a healthy Posey and the addition of Cabrera to go along with a stellar pitching staff, I think the Giants have enough weapons to return to the top of the West. The Giants are listed at +130 to win the NL West.
