San Francisco Giants: Picking Their Potential 25-Man Playoff Roster

I know, I know... This might be a little premature.

And yes, to answer your question: my mom has told me never to count my chickens before they hatch.

However, the Giants are only 2.5 games out of first place in the NL West and are bound to catch fire at any given moment.

For all you doubters, this team had a horrific August in 2010 by going 13-15 and then proceeded to got hot in September and won 18 games.

If you ask me, the Giants are in perfect position to work their magic yet again in 2011. They just need that nagging injury bug to leave their clubhouse!

However, this article is not another motivational or "don't panic" piece, but rather an early glimpse at what the perfect 25-man roster for the Giants would look like.

Without further ado, he is my prediction for the Giants' 25-man roster for the playoffs.

Starting Pitchers: 4-Man Rotation

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Career postseason statistics

1. Tim Lincecum: 4-1, 2.43 ERA (1 appearance)
2. Madison Bumgarner: 2-0, 2.18 ERA (1 appearance)
3. Matt Cain: 2-0, 0.00 ERA (1 appearance)
4. Ryan Vogelsong: N/A

Just like all teams in the playoffs do, the Giants will set forth a four-man rotation. Their ace Tim Lincecum will undoubtedly be the one to start things off.

While Matt Cain is considered to be the Giants' second best pitcher, Bruce Bochy has made it clear that he likes to split up Lincecum and Cain in the rotation mostly because of his desire to alternate between right-handed pitchers and left-handed pitchers.

For this purpose, Madison Bumgarner is the perfect choice to bridge the gap between the two Giants  aces. The big southpaw pitched brilliantly in the postseason last year so Bochy should have no problem trusting his 22-year-old hurler.

Bullpen: 8 Total (3 LHP & 5 RHP)

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Career postseason statistics

1. Javier Lopez: 1-1, 5.06 ERA (3 appearances)
   
2. Ramon Ramirez: 0-1, 18.00 ERA (2 appearances)
   
3. Sergio Romo: 1-0, 7.36 ERA (1 appearance)
4. Santiago Casilla: 0-0, 1.83 ERA (1 appearance)
   
5. Jeremy Affeldt: 0-0, 2.89 ERA (2 appearances)
   
6. Guillermo Mota: 1-0, 4.38 ERA (3 appearances)
   
7. Dan Runzler: N/A
   
8. Brian Wilson: 1-0, 0.00 ERA (1 appearance)

While this looks like the regular bullpen for the Giants, one name does stick out: Dan Runzler.

He hasn't been in the majors for that long, but there is no doubting that this kid has nasty stuff for a left-handed pitcher.

The two teams that the Giants faced last year in the playoffs, the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies, are stacked with left-handed batters. And unfortunately for the Giants, they will likely be the two teams the Giants would face in the playoffs.

If that is the case, the Giants couldn't have enough lefties in their bullpen, especially if Bumgarner is the only lefty starting pitcher.

Catchers: 2

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Career postseason statistics

1. Eli Whiteside: N/A
   
2. Chris Stewart: N/A

Boy, do the Giants fans miss Buster Posey.

Since he was declared out for the season back in early May, catcher has been the thinnest position on the Giants roster.

Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart will be splitting time for the most part, but Stewart will likely be catching Tim Lincecum the majority of the time.

Infielders: 6

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Career postseason statistics

1. Brandon Belt: N/A
   
2. Orlando Cabrera: .228, 18 RBI (6 appearances)
   
3. Mike Fontenot: .227, 0 RBI (3 appearances)
   
4. Aubrey Huff: .286, 8 RBI (1 appearance)
   
5. Jeff Keppinger: N/A
   
6. Pablo Sandoval: .176, 2 RBI (1 appearance)

A couple notable names that are missing here are Miguel Tejada and Mark DeRosa.

Tejada has a very good chance of making the team because of his veteran presence, but I just don't see a spot on the roster for him.

The Giants already have three middle infielders and Mike Fontenot can play at shortstop, second base or third base.

And I'm sorry, Mark DeRosa, but you haven't played enough these past two years to prove yourself worthy to this team. From what I have heard, he is a great guy in the clubhouse, but he probably won't even be healthy by the time the rosters are picked anyways.

That could have been a little mean, but the truth hurts.

Outfielders: 5

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Career Postseason Statistics

1. Carlos Beltran: .366, 19 RBI (2 appearances)
2. Nate Schierholtz: .176, 1 RBI (1 appearance)
   
3. Andres Torres: .276, 3 RBI (1 appearance)
   
4. Cody Ross: .294, 10 RBI (1 appearance)
   
5. Darren Ford: N/A

Bruce Bochy loves his outfielders and generally likes to stack his roster full of them.

One notable name that is missing is Aaron Rowand, who also has a good chance at making the roster.

However, I believe that Darren Ford would greatly benefit this team who has trouble scoring runs.

Subsequently, what a better way to scratch together a run with Darren Ford wreaking havoc on the base paths late in the game. We have seen that strategy actually win some games for the Giants in the past.

Also, Bochy has the luxury of having Aubrey Huff and Brandon Belt, who could both play the corner outfield positions.