San Francisco Giants: Fans Preparing for Long Season

Well, my fellow Gigantes fans, it looks like it's going to be a long, long, very long baseball season.

After finishing the year in last place in the NL West and waving goodbye to Barry, the Giants have made little effort to improve from last year.

Picking up former Phillies outfielder Aaron Rowand looked like a great off-season pickup after his career year, batting over .300 (Randy Winn is the only returning Giant to hit over .300), hitting 27 dingers, and driving in 89 RBI.

Sounds like that's a solid clean-up hitter. The problem is I'm expecting those numbers to drop dramatically, especially RBI and home runs, and here's why.

Last year’s NL MVP, Jimmy Rollins, lived on second base where he was one Rowand base hit from scoring, also Citizens Bank Park is considered one of the three easiest places to go yard.

On the flip side, hitting the ball out of AT&T Park is no easy feat, even for powerful right-handers.

Enough about Rowand, how's the rest of the lineup?

Last year’s best production from behind the plate came from catcher Benji Molina... and that's about it.

Ray Durham had a lowly .218 average, and despite his Hall of Fame glove, Omar Vizquel had one of his worst years at the plate.

With no power and a lot of speed, the Giants are going to have to play like the team across the bay (the Golden State Warriors) and RUN RUN RUN.

The only chance for the Giants to be a contender this year is to re-define the term small-ball.

With Dave Roberts and Raja Davis running the bases, they should have plenty of scoring opportunities; it's just up to someone to hit them in.

One thing to look for while watching the G-Men play this year is the young starting pitching.

Former A's ace Barry Zito had a rough year last year, but still has the talent and the money to get back on track.

Matt Cain was probably the most impressive pitcher last year, although his win-loss record was skewed due to an absolutely dismal bullpen.

Noah Lowry is shaky, but shows moments of brilliance on the mound, but there is one reason I'll be watching the games. Tim Lincecum may look like he's only 18, but this guy is going to be a premiere pitcher in the majors for years to come.

Hey, if all else fails, maybe it being the 50th year of being the San Francisco Giants will produce some Magic!

You can't blame me for dreaming.