Melky Cabrera Suspension: How Star's 50-Game Ban Will Affect SF Giants

If you're a San Francisco Giants fan, avert your eyes.

If you're a Los Angeles Dodgers fan, clap your hands and do a little dance.

Because the news surrounding outfielder Melky Cabrera on Wednesday may end up determining who captures the NL West this season.

MLB Public Relations dropped a bombshell on baseball on Wednesday, tweeting news that is sure to make Giants fans cringe:

"

Giants OF Melky Cabrera has been suspended 50 games without pay after testing positive for Testosterone.

— MLB Public Relations (@MLB_PR) August 15, 2012"

Cabrera responded with a statement, via Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle:

"

My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used. I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down.

"

If you've been living on another planet this baseball season, let me give you a refresher on Melky Cabrera's season thus far.

Cabrera was hitting .346 this season, the second-best mark in baseball. He has also scored 84 runs, second in the MLB and best in the National League. Melky spent most of the season as the Giants' No. 3 hitter, batting .363 with an OPS of .948 in that spot. He ranked right up there with Buster Posey as the Giants' greatest offensive threat.

Now, the Giants, who are tied with the Dodgers for the division lead and set to face Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals today, must move on without Cabrera down the stretch, making Pablo Sandoval's return from a hamstring injury even more important.

The Giants ranked ninth in the NL with 497 runs before the news on Wednesday. And while they are still ranked sixth in all of baseball in team ERA (3.64), two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum (who faces Strasburg today) hasn't been the same this season with a 5.35 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. 

This is the last thing the Giants wanted to hear, and it's going to make it mighty difficult for them to win the division now. Sandoval and midseason acquisition Hunter Pence, combined with Posey, will be crucial down the stretch.