World Series 2010 Predictions: 10 Reasons San Francisco Giants Will Win the Ring
I can remember not long ago when a certain Giants fan voted against SF in the NLCS against the Phillies.
This Giants fan had lost his way, dazzled by the stats, highlights and in-depth commentary that pervaded his home before the series, all leading him to believe his beloved Giants would fight a good fight but ultimately crumble before the mighty two-time defending NL champs.
But the Giants didn't lose. They didn't crumble. In fact, they won four games to two, with the final win coming inexplicably in Philly against Roy Oswalt—who had dominated them in Game 2—and with their most unpredictable starter, Jonathan Sanchez, basically imploding.
That is when this Giants fan realized this team is bigger than any stats, bigger than anything on paper, and that talent alone wasn't carrying this team—destiny was.
What this team has done this season has been remarkable, a team of castoffs many cast off as lucky to be in the playoffs, lucky to have the privilege of facing the powerful Phillies.
But this Giants fan knows better now—and he will be damned if he picks the Texas Rangers over the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.
Thus, here are 10 Reasons SF Will Win the Ring.
10. They All Have Something to Prove
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This team is littered with castaways, castoffs and unwanteds, and probably some players teams wouldn't take just because they're just so darn weird (Brian Wilson, Aubrey Huff).
But this is why the Giants have gotten so far: They have many players that know this could be their only chance for a World Series ring—and they want to prove everyone wrong about them.
They are the classic underdog. No Giant slugger here—just a bunch of misfits trying to contribute in any way possible.
Aubrey Huff wasn't offered anything from anyone before the season after it appeared he was headed downhill. Pat "The Bat" Burrell, after some great seasons in Philly, had been reduced to garbage in Tampa Bay, eventually being released and picked up by the Giants midseason.
Cody Ross wasn't even wanted by the Marlins, and some speculate the Giants didn't even want him, instead putting in the waiver claim so NL West rival San Diego wouldn't obtain a desperately needed outfield bat.
Andres Torres is 32, and this was his first full season in the bigs. He barely even made it onto the Giants roster before the season, and it was only because of Aaron Rowand's steep decline that Torres even got a shot at the starting center field spot. He never relinquished it.
You can go on and on. This team's desire to prove everyone wrong about them trumps any stats or talent.
9. Scientists Can't Even Fully Understand Their Chemistry
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I have no doubt that there's some unexplainable natural phenomenon following the Giants wherever they go.
Maybe it's some aura, maybe there are Giants in the outfield, maybe Jeff Kent and Barry Bonds have finally become friends (OK, that's for sure not it).
But there has been absolutely no division in this Giants clubhouse...and I don't mean the long kind, because I'm pretty sure manager Bruce Bochy is a math wiz or something with all the different additions and subtractions he's done with this lineup.
Every player that has come onto this team has instantly somehow fit, from Huff and Torres in the beginning to Buster Posey, Burrell and Ross midseason. Not to mention relievers Javier Lopez and Ramon Ramirez, who have been godsends to the bullpen.
There are no quarrels; there are only smiles and high fives. The older guys mentor the younger guys. The younger guys actually listen patiently. Cody Ross' nickname, as pointed out on Fox, is apparently even "Smiles."
Not to get all political here, but this is the equivalent of Republicans and Democrats, despite all their differences and quirks, working together to get something done...and then going out and having a sandwich together. Then celebrating with champagne in Philadelphia with goggles on and holding up an NLCS trophy...oh wait, that doesn't work.
8. Home Field Advantage
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Not only do the Giants have incredible team chemistry, they also have home field advantage in the World Series.
That means four games in a pitcher's park, four games without a DH (will the Rangers actually risk Vladimir Guerrero in the outfield?), four games in a sea of orange—and a Cove of orange too, I suppose.
There's no denying the fans in San Francisco have risen to the occasion and have been fantastic. The Rangers are gonna come in here and be like, "Ron Washington, we're not in Texas anymore..."
And then they will be scared...either of that fact or of the fan to the left.
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7. Juan Uribe's a Streaky and Clutch Player
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We already know the Giants don't score many runs. They find ways to eke out just enough to win 3-2 or 2-1 or something.
In Game 6 of the NLCS, it was no different. The Giants were tied with the Phillies 2-2 with two outs in the eighth, and phenomenal Phillies reliever Ryan Madson was on the verge of shutting down the Giants once again.
But one swing of the bat by Juan Uribe deposited an outside pitch into the right field bleachers to put the Giants up for good, 3-2.
The common fan outside of SF looks at Uribe's .248 regular season batting average and his .214 batting average in the NLCS and wonders why he is a starter on this team.
But Uribe is a very streaky player. He carried the Giants at times during the regular season. Also, almost half of his 24 home runs in the regular season either tied the game or put the Giants ahead.
That's a clutch player that can change the outcome of a series on a couple swings, and that's a player no team is comfortable with facing. Uribe has had only four hits this entire postseason, but one of them sent the Giants to the World Series.
6. The Giants' Spark Plug Starting to Ignite
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Center fielder Andres Torres had an unfathomable season this year considering he came from nowhere. He was the spark plug of an offense that needed it badly. Without him, the Giants wouldn't have made the playoffs (do you really think Aaron Rowand could have led this team this year?).
He had an emergency appendectomy with two weeks left in the regular season (no, that's not a joke) and wasn't the same in the playoffs up until Game 4 in the NLCS. In his first six games of the postseason, Torres struck out 12 times in 25 at-bats and had only three hits.
In the last three games of the NLCS, Torres had six hits, including three in the decisive Game 6.
Torres is what keeps this motor running, and he's gotten hot at just the right time.
5. Cody Ross
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The NLCS MVP batted .269 with 14 home runs in over 500 at-bats during the regular season. In the playoffs, however, he's been absolutely batty.
He's hit four home runs while batting .324. Two of those home runs came on consecutive at-bats against none other than Roy Halladay.
The castoff from Florida has been starting hurricanes of his own ever since he arrived in SF.
4. Anybody Can Beat You on This Team
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What makes this team so intriguing is you could point to numerous individuals and say, "If he wasn't on this team, we wouldn't be here." It is a team in every sense of the word.
Especially on offense, every player goes into the game knowing he could be the difference in the game. You play enough of these one-run games and you start to like the whole "torture" thing.
The Giants have already tied the all-time postseason record with six one-run wins. They are battle-tested in this regard dating back to early September. They know if they scratch and claw and are resilient, they have a chance, because it only takes a couple runs with this pitching staff to win a baseball game.
There is no star player. It's a collection of "misfits," as dubbed by manager Bruce Bochy—a collection of misfits who just so happen to have contagious drive and desire, and no fear whatsoever.
3. Coaching
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I got a little flak when I said Bruce Bochy had been a better manager this season than Charlie Manuel in my Phillies-Giants preview. The NLCS just reconfirmed the job Bochy and staff have done in 2010.
Every move Bochy has made this postseason has seemed to be the right one, with a couple exceptions in that horrid Game 5 of the NLCS. Not to mention how he pieced together this lineup day in and day out during the regular season. Bochy did the most with the least talent of any manager in baseball this season.
I haven't even heard Bochy's name mentioned in NL Manager of the Year talks, which is disappointing given he deserves it as much as anybody in baseball.
Pitching coaches Dave Righetti and Mark Gardner, former Giants pitching stalwarts in their playing days, have done a masterful job with this pitching staff, from starter to reliever. Based on the fact the Giants ultimately got here because of their pitching, Righetti and Gardner are probably more important to the overall picture than you think.
2. Pitching
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Did you expect anything else high on the list? This team's pitching has carried it this year, through thick and more thick. A 1-4 rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner is laughable it's so good.
The bullpen has been just as solid, with closer Brian Wilson a main reason the Giants have been able to escape with so many one-run wins (Wilson had a franchise-record 48 saves this year).
There's not a pitcher in this rotation or bullpen you feel bad about, and that's a recipe for success. The Texas Rangers haven't ever seen nine innings of collective pitching like this.
1. Fear the Beard
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If the Texas Rangers lose this series, they will surely never look at a beard the same way again.
Led by closer Brian Wilson, the Giants have adopted the slogan "Fear the Beard" in reference to their many furry faces. Relievers Sergio Romo and Jeremy Affeldt can be seen with full beards, as well as new hero Cody Ross.
Whoever sells fake black beards in San Francisco has surely seen an uptick in sales by at least 500 percent as well. Yes, the fans have followed suit.
The Giants have no fear. That is what has gotten them this far, and that is what will propel them to one of the greatest upsets in postseason history.
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