2010 World Series: 10 Clutch Performers Who Will Lead the Giants to a Series Win
The 2010 World Series is going to be a thing of beauty. Sure, nobody in their right minds picked the San Francisco Giants to be playing against the Texas Rangers in this year's edition of the Fall Classic, but both teams reached baseball's grandest stage in a similar fashion.
San Francisco has relied on its dominant starting pitching all season, and through the playoffs, to shut teams down.
Texas has a pretty potent offense to go along with a shutdown ace in Cliff Lee, who is still unbeaten in the postseason.
Josh Hamilton is adding even more memories to his storybook return to baseball and he will probably end up walking away with the AL MVP once the Series is over.
So, who you got? The Giants have home-field advantage, thanks to the NL's win in the All-Star game.
First pitch is Wednesday night. Tim Lincecum vs. Cliff Lee at AT&T Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:57 p.m. EST.
Here is what needs to happen for the Giants to be victorious.
No. 10: Buster Posey Won't Play Like a Rookie
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Not only has he done a whale of a job behind the dish. But Posey has been one of the Giants better hitters during the postseason.
He's hitting .282 with three RBIs and has kept the Giants pitching staff on track.
Posey keeps it going tomorrow night, calling another great game for Lincecum and blasts a two-run double that will give the Giants the lead for good in Game 1.
No. 9: Aubrey Huff Keeps It Going
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Huff has been a pleasant surprise for the Giants and he is tied for second on the team with four RBIs in the postseason.
Huff will splash a ball into McCovey Cove off Lee in Game 1, which will go to the Giants 5-2.
No. 8: Kung Fu Panda Will Deliver Clutch Pinch-Hit
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Pablo Sandoval hasn't seen a lot of playing time in the postseason, but his bat will be crucial for the Giants in Game 2.
Sandoval will deliver in a key moment, but he will then be promptly removed for a pinch-runner as he huffs his way to second base following a double to the gap.
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No. 7: Matt Cain Stymies Rangers Bats For Game 2 Win
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Matt Cain will pitch into the eighth inning of Game 2 and leave with a 4-1 lead, giving way to closer Brian Wilson who slams the door.
San Francisco will head to Arlington with a 2-0 lead.
No. 6: Freddy Sanchez Will Be a Menace on the Bases
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Freddy Sanchez will reach base at least twice in each game, though it won't be enough in Game 3 as Texas will edge out a win.
But Sanchez will prove to be a valuable player for the Giants in the series and will lead the team in runs scored.
Texas takes Game 3 at home 5-2.
Giants 2, Rangers 1
No. 5: Madison Bumgarner Will Out-Duel Tommy Hunter in Game 4
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Left-hander Madison Bumgarner will be lights-out in Game 4 in Arlington, pitching seven strong innings and getting the win after the Giants take Game 4 by a score of 3-1.
This will help launch this young left-hander and his mid-90's fastball into the stratosphere, and give the Giants an all-important 3-1 Series lead.
No. 4: Cody Ross Stays Hot
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The postseason always seems to find the most improbable of heroes. And Cody Ross fits this year's bill.
Ross has 11 hits, four home runs and eight RBIs in the postseason, all of which lead the team.
He'll keep it going in the World Series and finish with five hits and five RBIs, en route to co-MVP honors.
No. 3: Pat Burrell Will Make Key Defensive Play in Game 5
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Who would've thunk it? Burrell, giving everything he has, makes a diving catch to steal an extra-base hit away from the Rangers in crunch time as the Giants cling to a 4-3 lead late in the game.
No. 2: Brian Wilson Notches Saves in All Four Wins
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Brian Wilson was about as good as it gets during the regular season and he will be unhittable in the World Series.
Wilson will prove to be the ultimate difference, saving all four Giants' wins during the series and he will draw comparisons to Mariano Rivera.
No. 1: Tim Lincecum Wins Both Starts Against Cliff Lee, Giants Win Series 4-1
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Lincecum and the Giants will accomplish what no one has been able to do yet in the postseason career of Cliff Lee-: Find a way to beat him.
Lincecum will win Game 1 and Game 5 as the Giants wrap up the World Series with a 4-3 victory in Game 5, and he will share MVP honors with Cody Ross.
San Francisco 4, Texas 1
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