2011 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 didn’t do it with star power up and down the lineup. Instead, they did it with exceptional pitching. The Giants will be dependent on their pitching once again in 2011 as they begin their quest toward another title. MLB odds makers have listed the San Francisco Giants at +1400 to win the 2011 World Series.
Pitching: Not even a division title looked likely when then two-time reigning NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum lost five straight starts in August. Lincecum, however, dug down deep to go 5-1 with a 1.94 ERA in September to help lead the Giants into the postseason. From there, he outdueled the likes of Derek Lowe, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee on his way to a World Series title.
Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner and Barry Zito are expected to fall in behind Lincecum. Cain has developed into an ace in his own right, combining with Lincecum to form a deadly one-two punch at the top. Cain went 13-11 with a 3.14 ERA a season ago. Sanchez went 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA and Bumgarner finished 7-6 with an ERA of 3.00.
Zito looked to be his old self when he got out of the gate 5-0 with a 1.69 ERA. He went just 1-8 with a 6.66 ERA down the stretch though.
Brian Wilson has emerged into one of the game’s elite closers. His 48 saves in 2010 tied Rod Beck’s franchise record.
Lineup: I think it’s safe to say the Giants wouldn’t have won it all if they hadn’t inserted Buster Posey as the everyday catcher. Besides doing a great job handling the staff, Posey helped bring the Giants into contention by hitting .417 in the month of July.
First baseman Brandon Belt, second baseman Freddy Sanchez, shortstop Miguel Tejada and third baseman Pablo Sandoval are the projected infielders.
We could see Aubrey Huff at first, but I expect Belt to be promoted at some point, if not by the beginning of the season. Belt has been climbing up the ladder quickly behind sensational numbers at all his stops.
If Sanchez has a tough time bouncing back from shoulder surgery, the Giants could use Mike Fontenot or Mark DeRosa at second. Sanchez set a record by hitting three doubles in his first three World Series at-bats.
It’s tough to say goodbye to Juan Uribe, but the Giants believe he can be adequately replaced by Tejada, who hit 15 round trippers and drove in 71 runs between Baltimore and San Diego. Sandoval’s numbers were down in 2010, but he should be poised for a bounce back campaign if he can keep his weight down.
Andres Torres, Cody Ross and Huff are the projected starters in the outfield.
The minor league journeyman, Torress, finally became an everyday player last season and didn’t disappoint. He finished among the league leaders in doubles and extra-base hits.
Ross likely wasn’t in San Francisco’s long term plans until he went off in the playoffs and took home NLCS MVP honors.
Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand are two more outfield option if Belt doesn’t take the starting job at first. If he does, we should see Huff in left. Huff hit .290 with 26 homers and 86 RBIs last year.
Prediction – 1st Place NL West: I don’t believe the Giants will run away with the West, but at the end of the day I expect their pitching to earn them a second straight division title. The Giants are listed at +125 to win the NL West.
