SF Giants: 10 Reasons Why This Could Finally Be Their Year
The San Francisco Giants just took Game 3 from the Phillies, and they have to be feeling pretty good about themselves right about now.
Growing up a Dodgers fan, I have to say I feel a bit queasy right about now. It's because I have a feeling. It is a wincing pain in my gut that this might be it. Recent developments have me thinking this could be the year the San Francisco Giants clinch their first World Series.
10: The Phillies Are In Trouble
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Before we crown the Giants champions, they must get past the Philadelphia Phillies. They seem to be doing a good job doing just that.
Philadelphia finds themselves on the ropes, and they have to make one of two less-than-desirable choices. They have to pitch Joe Blanton, who is not the ideal person to start a must-win game. That is exactly what Game 4 will be. If they lose their next one, the Giants will have three chances to win one.
Their other choice is to pitch Roy Halladay on three days' rest. It would be a last-ditch effort and undesirable away from home. The Giants already beat a well-rested Halladay in Philly.
9: The Phillies Are Missing Producers
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So far Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez have been empty jerseys. As the series gets long in the tooth, pressure sets in. Ball players live by streaks. A slump at the wrong time could lead to disaster.
So far Ibanez is without a hit. You could see even today, he was starting to grip. As for Victorino, he is their catalyst. He is the spark plug that gets the offense going. In three games he has hit safely only twice. Without his speed on the base paths to disrupt the Giants pitching, the Phillies stagnate.
8: Giants Are Leading With Little Production
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The Giants are not exactly lighting up the box score. If you take out Cody Ross, the Giants are lacking in huge production.
What they have done is make use of what little production they have received from their role players. While the Phillies and Yankees have also struggled to hit safely and consistently, the Giants are the only ones that now boast a series lead.
The Giants have also been solid defensively. This is what a team that is set up like they are has to do. They must do the little things to win, and they are. But we all know the reason for this...
7: Cody Ross
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To go far in the playoffs, a team needs a leader to step forward and drive the team to the top. The Giants have just that in Cody Ross.
Ross has been a monster in the National League Championship Series. In the NLCS he is batting .444 with three home runs and four RBI. He is the main reason that the Giants have the chance to turn this series completely in their favor tomorrow in San Francisco.
6: May Face the Rangers In Series
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Now we can speculate on the next round possibilities. If the Giants do indeed get past the normally potent offense of the Phillies, they may face the Texas Rangers.
What we now know is the Giants can handle a stacked lineup. Philadelphia's lineup is second in potency only to the New York Yankees. The Rangers would be that much better of a matchup. The Rangers lineup is limited to a powerful 3-4-5. The Giants rotation would make quick work of the rest.
5: Yankees Are Similar to the Phillies
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If they do face the Yankees, they will have a blueprint in limiting their lineup. With a berth to the series, the Giants will have proven they can contain an offense that is stacked one to nine.
The one blaring difference is the quality of pitching. The Giants will have the advantage of seeing a much less consistent starting rotation. After C.C. Sabathia there is a significant drop off in facing Andy Pettitte or Phil Hughes.
4: Bullpen
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The Giants may not have the most potent hitters, but they do have some of the most powerful weapons in pitching. Their bullpen was among the best in baseball this season.
Much of that success goes to San Francisco closer Brian Wilson. In both wins during the NLCS he has picked up the save allowing just two hits. A contending team must have peace of mind in a close game. They have just that in Brian Wilson.
3: Starting Rotation
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Nobody but Giants faithful picked them to get this far at the start of the season. There were just too many question marks on offense to believe otherwise. What we all knew is that their starting rotation would be their most valuable asset.
This has been the constant all year. It remains even now in the NLCS. Tim Lincecum did enough in game one to out-duel the best in the game in Roy Halladay. Then Matt Cain showed their depth by blanking the Phillies in Game 3. They can confidently say they match the Giants pitcher for pitcher if they win tomorrow. With three games after that, they have the rotation to get to the next round.
2: They Are Hot
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Winning a postseason in any sport is all about getting hot at the right time. The Giants are doing just that. They held on to the NL West with key wins at the end of the season against the Padres. Then they beat the Braves only needing four games to do so. Now we find them up in the NLCS with a red hot Cody Ross and one of the best pitching staffs.
So far, October has been their month to shine. There is no reason to think this will change anytime soon.
1: All Things Come to an End
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As a Dodgers fan, I have enjoyed the lack of championships for the San Francisco. Being an educated man, I understand that all good things must come to an end. As we get deeper into the playoffs, my last reason can be filed in the mystic file.
I have a feeling. You can see it in the exuberance of the Giants dugout. Every play, every out, every hit, every run is felt ten-fold by the Giants players. They wear it on their faces and the dirt on their jerseys. They are men on a mission. I have seen this look before. It is the face of an organization that will not be derailed.
It is a rarity to get to the World Series and lose it. The Giants know this lesson all too well. I don't believe they will let this chance pass them by. They seem do be doing what every World Series champion has done before them. They are willing things to go their way.
