Giants Phillies Game 6: How San Francisco Won the Pennant

The Giants earned the right to face the Texas Rangers in the World Series by beating the favored Philadelphia Phillies in six games, on the road, winning 3-2 on Saturday night to capture their first National League title since 2002.

When the series began, many pundits — including myself — pointed to the Phillies' superior experience, better offense and the fearsome threesome of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.

However, as even I pointed out, of all the teams in the playoffs in either league, the Giants had the best chance to beat the Phils due to their outstanding starting pitching.

In fact, when you look at it, the Giants have the only rotation in baseball that can stack up to Philadelphia, with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez.

Sure, the Yanks have Sabathia but who else that strikes fear? Texas has Lee, and while the others have pitched well and may end up beating the Giants, before this started I'm sure that no one ranked their staff ahead of San Fran.

Having said that, Texas does have the ultimate stopper in Cliff Lee, who has been almost unbeatable in his postseason career, so the Giants' next stop won't be easy by any means.

But at least for now, the Giants have to celebrate beating a team that was widely picked to repeat as NL champs. And they did it on the road.

Let's take a look at the keys to the Giants victory.

The "Misfits": How Castoffs Like Cody Ross Helped The Giants Win

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with the NCLS MVP trophy after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 and winning the pennant in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on O

Giants manager Bruce Bochy calls them "the misfits" but those of us who watched his team feel like they are far more than that. Series MVP Cody Ross, obtained off waivers from the Marlins, was a godsend.

Meanwhile, Aubrey Huff was picked up after a rough season with Baltimore and Detroit in 2009. Huff had the best OBP of his career this season and excelled in the playoffs.

A .324/.395/.794/1.189 slash in the 2010 postseason is so much better than his regular season stats that this shows why Bochy calls him a "misfit".

If this is a misfit, then I wish my Cubs had some of these.

The Giants Bullpen Saved Them In The Title-Clinching Game

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Jeremy Affeldt #41 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 and winning the pennant in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in P

Jeremy Affeldt pitched two solid innings of relief in Game 6 after Sanchez struggled in his two innings. 

Following that, four relievers, including starter Tim Lincecum, held the Phillies scoreless and allowed the Giants to take the series in six games.

Brian Wilson was great as the closer.

Juan Uribe Starts For Kung Fu Panda and Hits Game Winning HR

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Juan Uribe #5 of the San Francisco Giants hits a solo home run to take a 3-2 lead in the eigth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2

In a stroke of genius, manager Bruce Bochy decided to start Juan Uribe over Pablo Sandoval for defense. But what he got was offense.

As in a game-winning home run.

Uribe gave the Giants a lead they never relinquished in the eighth inning by hitting a homer off of Ryan Madson.

Closer Brian Wilson Is Mr. Automatic

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Buster Posey #28 and Brian Wilson #38 of the San Francisco Giants celebrate defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 and winning the pennant in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 2

In seven games, Wilson has pitched the equivalent of a complete game shutout for the Giants.

Wilson has allowed only one unearned run in the postseason, striking out 12 and saving five games for the Giants.