San Francisco Giants: 5 Reasons Not to Worry
The San Francisco Giants grabbed their gear and walked into the clubhouse of the Oakland Coliseum after being swept by their cross-bay rivals, the Oakland Athletics.
San Francisco's offense was feeble, scoring just five runs the entire series.
Sound familiar?
Well, you might be surprised to learn that this post-game portrait does not just describe the scene in Oakland yesterday afternoon. It describes the scene in Oakland on May 23, 2010.
That's right. The Giants scored the exact same number of runs in being swept by the A's this season as they did when they were swept last year by the same team.
Hmm. What was it that happened with that Giants club last season? Oh, that's right: They won the World Series.
Here are five reasons not to worry about the defending champions despite their struggles thus far in 2011.
1. Tim Lincecum Will Be Fine
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Tim Lincecum has been in this situation before.
In August 2010 he struggled mightily, posting an 0-5 record with a 7.82 ERA for the month. His difficulties prompted all kinds of speculation as to whether his small physical frame and awkward delivery style had finally caught up with him.
Some suggested that he may have finally lost his magic.
The magic returned in September and October of 2010, when Lincecum led San Francisco's pitching staff to and through the postseason, coming out with a World Series title.
Lincecum began this season as if 2010 never ended, baffling opposing hitters and looking every bit like the two-time Cy Young winner that he is.
But following Buster Posey's season-ending leg injury May 25, Lincecum hasn't been the same. Before Posey's injury, Lincecum had an ERA of 2.06.
Since Eli Whiteside took over the catching duties, Lincecum has struggled. In the month of June so far he is 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA.
While correlation is certainly not always linked to causation, Lincecum's 2011 struggles are very similar to his 2010 struggles in one very important way: Both periods began with a change in the everyday catcher. In 2010, Posey took over for Bengie Molina. This season, Eli Whiteside took over for the injured Posey.
If 2010 is any indication, Lincecum will return to form and the anchor of San Francisco's staff will set the tone for another great stretch run for Giants' arms.
2. The NL West Is a Weak Division
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Unlike 2010, the NL West is a relatively weak division thus far in 2011. With the Arizona Diamondbacks being the only real competition for the San Francisco Giants so far, and the Colorado Rockies slumping, the Giants need only tread water until the playoffs near.
Last season the Giants sneaked into the postseason with a victory over the San Diego Padres on the final day of the regular season.
They then went on to post one of the most incredible and unexpected postseason performances in baseball history.
The key is to get to the playoffs, and the regular season is a long marathon. The Giants are in good shape given their competitors in the Western Division.
3. The Law of Averages Will Kick In
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Aubrey Huff, the Giants' home run and RBI leader in the championship season of 2010, is hitting just .241 so far in 2011.
Somehow, that batting average is good for second on the team.
Such is the story of the Giants' offense this season. It's remarkably similar, however, to the story of their offense in 2010.
If there is one word other than "terrible" to describe San Francisco's hitters, it's "streaky."
The Giants have proved this season that when it comes to performance at the plate, it's feast or famine, much like the surprising 20-run outburst in Games 1 and 2 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers last October.
This club is capable of producing offensively, with proven hitters, both young and veteran, up and down the lineup. Despite the plague of injuries and other setbacks, the Giants have hope: Pablo Sandoval is back in the lineup, and the law of averages is on their side.
Hitters can only go so long in terrible slumps, and we can expect Aubrey Huff and the rest of the Giants' hitters to break out from their funks as the season progresses.
Remember, there are still 92 games left to play in the regular season.
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4. The Giants Are in the Same Place They Were at This Time Last Year
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The Giants' record on June 20, 2010? 38-30.
The Giants' record on June 20, 2011? 39-33.
Pretty similar win-loss records. And pretty similar story: great pitching, abysmal hitting. The need for a little help at the trade deadline.
5. Brian Sabean Has Something Up His Sleeve
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Don't expect Jose Reyes. But Brian Sabean, as he did by bringing in relievers Javier Lopez and Ramon Ramirez in 2010, will likely make a move to solidify San Francisco's chances at repeating as world champions.
While the blockbuster move isn't his M.O., Sabean has been known to make less inspiring, but wise moves that prove ingenious in the end.
The San Francisco Way: Just Get to the Postseason, Pitching Will Carry the Day
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The secret behind the Giants is pitching, pitching and more pitching.
San Francisco needs to make the playoffs, and whatever the road looks like that leads to the postseason, once the Giants are there, a repeat is in the cards.
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