San Francisco Treat: 5 Reasons Why the SF Giants Will Go Deep Into The Playoffs
With the MLB playoffs just around the corner, San Francisco Giants are on verge of eliminating the San Diego Padres from the divisional race and claim their first NL West crown since 2003.
Barry Bonds isn’t the big bopper in the lineup anymore and Jason Schmidt isn’t the ace of the pitching staff.
Instead the 2010 Giants have a young catcher by the name of Buster Posey leading the way on offense and a pitching staff led by two time NL CY Young Award winner Time Lincecum.
The Giants host the San Diego Padres for a three game set that will determine the winner of the NL West as well as the NL Wild Card champion.
The Giants only need one win this weekend to pop champagne and begin talking about October baseball by the bay.
Giants’ fans must be patient waiting for their team to officially clinch. Once they do, they should note that these five qualities will result in a deep playoff run from Buster Posey and company.
Rotation
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Obviously the Giants boast arguably the best rotation in the league and that is one of the big reasons why they seem primed for a deep postseason run.
When the pitchers’ accomplishments in a team’s rotation include three CY Young awards and a no hitter, their fans should be extremely optimistic about their chances in a short playoff series.
Any team that has to face the Giants in the playoffs, assuming they make it (their magic number is still one), has to think about facing Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and some combination of Barry Zito, Jonathan Sanchez, and Madison Bumgarner in a best of five or best of seven series. Just thinking about that would make opposing offenses scared to approach the plate, but when they step into the batter’s box and have to stare back at a pitcher of that caliber, the reality sets in even further.
The Giants sport the best team ERA in the MLB, currently at 3.37. to further prove their durability and dominance over hitters this season, San Francisco pitchers also lead the league in strikeouts (1306), innings pitched (1434), have allowed the least amount of runs (537), and have the fifth lowest WHIP.
While it does not appear that Tim Lincecum, or any Giants pitcher for that matter, will win the CY Young award, they have been dominant this season, especially down the stretch and have their eyes set on a bigger prize, a World Series ring.
Bullpen
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Brian Wilson leads Major League Baseball in saves this season, having preserved 47 wins for the Giants.
San Francisco’s bullpen has saved 56 games as a group, as well as owning the third lowest ERA (3.39) in the MLB. They have 31 wins, which is good for fourth overall and are tied with the Atlanta Braves for lowest earned runs allowed (153).
Sergio Romo leads the Giants with 20 holds this season. Left hander Javier Lopez has a miniscule 1.45 ERA and is able to get lefties out. Santiago Casilla is one of a few dominant power arms in the Giants bullpen that averages 8.20 K/9 as a team.
Opposing offenses are going to have to deal with this deep and talented bullpen after already facing one of San Francisco’s dominant pitchers for six or seven innings.
The Giants’ rotation coupled with their bullpen is a recipe for disaster for opposing teams.
In a series where these relievers will pitch in virtually any game they are needed, the Giants will not need to worry about holding a lead.
Bustin’ Out
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The pitching rotation and bullpen all have to throw to a catcher and Buster Posey has done nothing, but show maturity and the ability to handle the Giants’ pitchers.
For a young catcher, Posey has been the X factor in enabling the San Francisco pitching staff to have as good of a season as they have had.
Posey continues to impress as the season goes on. He was called up on May 29 and has given the Giants all they could want in a young catcher. His numbers since being called up: .313 BA, 17 HR, and 66 RBI through 105 games.
San Francisco scouts had already been impressed with Posey when he was still catching for the Florida State Seminoles, so they are not surprised by his quick rise to stardom.
He became an instant fan favorite in San Francisco and raved about by their media, but now Posey is frequently discussed amongst that national media. That has not only put his name in the NL Rookie of the Year discussion, but has already seemed to have wrapped it up.
Although he has yet to play in the playoffs, his mad skills should overcome any nervousness that he will have.
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Sleeper Offense
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San Francisco’s offense does have young stars like Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval that get the headlines for the offense, but it is the over-the-hill veterans that make the Giants offense dangerous in a short series.
Their lineup features early to mid 2000 greats such as Pat Burrell, Jose Guillen, Aaron Rowand, Edgar Renteria, Juan Uribe, Aubrey Huff, and Freddy Sanchez.
Over the course of a season, especially with the youngest guy in the group being 31 years old (Juan Uribe), they have definitely passed the prime of their careers.
In a short playoff series, these guys have the power to hit the long ball and drive in runs. This is partly because they are still talented players, but also because almost all of those guys has experience in the postseason, with three of them (Burrell, Uribe, and Rowand) having won World Series rings already.
Experience is a huge factor in the playoffs and the Giants offense is full of it.
Young, Talented Core
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When your team is going to be comprised of Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval, Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Madison Bumgarner for years to come, you’ve got a bright future.
All of those players just mentioned will be making their postseason debuts in 2010 and their immense talent will not allow them to disappoint.
The veterans on the team will definitely be able to keep the young guns calm and collected, but the thrill of playing October baseball will definitely get their blood pumping and their talent will enable them to overcome their nerves.
These guys will be chomping at the bit to get the postseason under way and their youth and talent will make them very exciting to watch. Not to mention, their younger bodies should give them an advantage over a team that has more worn down veterans.
Philadelphia Phillies Beware
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The Philadelphia Phillies seem intent on making it to their third consecutive World Series. They are the talk of the National League and rightfully so with the deep rotation they have and the offensive firepower.
If there is one team that the Phillies should be scared about, it is the San Francisco Giants. They will be making their first trip to October since 2003 and they are in it for the long haul.
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