5 Players That Need To Step Up for the San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants fans have a choice. They can complain about the injuries and hard luck—or they can follow the lead of the Giants themselves and look at what needs to be done now.

The reality is, as bad as the season has gone, the Giants are still in an enviable position. At only two games back of the Arizona Diamondbacks, a postseason berth is within reach.

Here are five players that will need to up their contributions in order for the club to make the playoffs.

5. Brandon Belt

Yes, he's a rookie. And yes, he doesn't play every day.

Still, Brandon Belt is a power hitter with good plate discipline—two qualities not often found on the Giants roster. And while he is a rookie, let's not forget that Buster Posey's rookie campaign ended with him batting cleanup in World Series games. Belt has the ability to end up in that same position.

Belt has shown his potential with a two-homer game against the Marlins and a four-hit game (including a homer) against the Astros. Belt needs to raise his average and continue hitting for power.     

4. Darren Ford and the September Call-Ups

While the Giants continue to be the walking wounded, the thought of an extended bench seems heavenly.

Darren Ford is an electric baserunner who has game-changing abilities as a pinch-runner. However, the Giants would love to see Ford handle the bat with increased authority as well. Ford had five stolen bases and scored six runs in 17 games for the Giants earlier this season. But with every baserunner being precious for the run-starved Giants, Ford will have to avoid adding to his three times caught stealing.

Emmanuel Burriss is also a speedster that will be counted on for contributions.

3. Cody Ross

The 2010 NLCS MVP Cody Ross has had an underwhelming year thus far. Slugging a measly .386, Ross has been unable to consistently drive the ball as he did late in the season for the Giants in 2010.

While being shuffled around in the batting order probably hasn't helped Ross, it's an unfortunate necessity for Bruce Bochy this year.

If Ross could hit .280 the rest of the way and slug his career average of .455, the Giants would be in a much better position to grab a stronghold on their weak division.

2. The Fifth Starter

With the fifth spot in the Giants rotation a question mark, a postseason run is in jeopardy unless someone steps up. The candidates include bullpen long man Guillermo Mota and lefties Dan Runzler and Jonathan Sanchez.

Mota is a valuable bullpen asset. Runzler's first career major league start on Sunday was less than promising (1.2 IP 3 H 4 ER). Sanchez, who started the season as the No. 2 starter, has been battling injuries and is on the DL currently with a sprained ankle.

Even if Sanchez returns, his consistency has been an issue this year. While opponents are only hitting .220 against him, his 4.26 ERA reflects his tendency for the walk. Sanchez seems to have fallen out of favor with manager Bruce Bochy. It will be interesting to see how he will react if Sanchez continues to put runners on via the free pass.  

As scary as Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong and Madison Bumgarner would be in a playoff series, the Giants have to get there first.

A month-and-a-half of solid starts from the fifth spot in the rotation will do just that. 

1. Carlos Beltran

Beltran was brought in to hit, not sit.

Beltran had been out of action since August 7th with a strained right hand until a pinch-hit appearance last night against the Padres. Beltran popped out with the winning run on second base in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Beltran needs to be the spark in the lineup that pushes them to the playoffs. Pablo Sandoval has done an admirable job shouldering the weight of the Giants offense, but he needs help. 

Sandoval and Beltran are rare talents as both are switch-hitters with power. While the Giants will still not have a top offense, two consistent hitters in the middle of the lineup should relieve the stress from players who have been "pressing" such as Aubrey Huff.

If Beltran hits to his career averages, the race will certainly be tight. If he can do a bit more, consider the Giants favorites to come out on top in the NL West.