5 Things That Must Happen For the San Francisco Giants to Contend in the National League West
San Francisco may be four games back of the first-place Dodgers, but they certainly have what it takes to take home the NL West crown.
The Giants won the World Series two years back, and they finished second in the NL West last year. However, the D-Backs, the 2011 division champs, are well behind the Giants, and only the Dodgers stand ahead of them.
Dodger star Matt Kemp is injured and will miss a minimum of four weeks, which is a huge blow to the Dodgers. Although they played well without him, his presence will sorely be missed by L.A.
The Giants still need to do some things before being crowned as division champs. The Dodgers are a great team, and the Giants will have to work hard and play good baseball to secure the division's automatic playoff berth.
Here are five things that must happen for the Giants to become contenders.
Melky Cabrera Must Stay Hot
So far, so good.
Melky Cabrera has been amazing throughout the first two months of the season, posting a .373 batting average (which leads the majors). He leads the league in hits and is scoring a lot of runs for a team that struggles to score them.
And to think all the Giants gave up for him was Jonathan Sanchez and Ryan Verdugo.
The Melkman has done a great job getting on base and running the bases, as he has scored 40 runs this year. He knows how to drive guys in, as he has 26 RBI. His seven triples lead the majors, and his 12.9 percent strikeout rate isn't too bad either.
On defense, Cabrera has played very well.
He has great range on defense, and he can throw guys out at the plate, dive to make catches and make plays very well in left field. His ability to hold a possible double to a single has helped the Giants immensely this year.
Cabrera has been amazing so far, but he'll have to keep it up. Despite his amazing play, San Francisco is only 28-24.
While the rest of the team is starting to heat up, Cabrera will have to keep up his great play for the Giants to catch and pass the Dodgers, and to become a contender.
While I think it will happen, if it doesn't, the Giants are in trouble.
Brett Pill Must Consistently Put Up Good Numbers
I know Brett Pill comes up big a lot for the Giants, and I know the Giants haven't given him much of a chance yet. However, he needs to consistently play well for the Giants.
Aubrey Huff is washed up, and Brandon Belt is also inconsistent (and struggling). Pill will soon become the Giants' everyday first baseman, and to do that, he'll have to consistently hit well.
Belt can play first, but he isn't as good of a hitter as Pill. Belt also has a habit of striking out, and he has gone back-and-forth from the minors. Right now, it seems like Pill is the guy the Giants want at first base.
To assume that role, he'll have to start hitting on a regular basis.
Right now, Pill is struggling. He has pop in his bat, and he is a threat to get a deep hit and hit a home run every time he steps to the plate. However, he has struck out 15 times in 72 at-bats, and he'll have to strike out less to assume the everyday role.
Pill is an average defensive first baseman, and Belt has the advantage on defense. However, with Belt at first, the Giants will have more trouble winning the division, because even though the Giants are struggling at fielding the ball, they need hitting more.
San Francisco can't be an elite team if their first baseman doesn't hit better than .208, his current average. Pill will have to stay out of huge slumps, bring in runs and hit homers consistently to provide a boost for the Giants' offense.
If he doesn't, the Giants will struggle to be a contender.
Tim Lincecum Must Perform Like an Ace
For those of you who haven't followed the Giants very closely, you should know one thing; Tim Lincecum is struggling.
Luckily, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong and Barry Zito have all pitched well. However, for the Giants to continue their success, their long-haired ace must pick up the slack.
Lincecum's pitch speed is slower this year, and he seems to have less command over his pitches. While he can still go deep into a game, his 2-6 record and 5.82 ERA must improve.
Timmy is still striking guys out, as he has 64 strikeouts in 60.1 innings. However, he has given up 61 hits and has a 1.57 WHIP, which means he is putting himself in a lot of (too many) jams.
If Lincecum can consistently string together innings where he lets one or fewer runners on base, he'll be well on his way to returning to his old form.
However, he'll have to stop walking guys (he's issued 34 walks this year) and he'll have to pitch out of jams like he's always done.
Because as we know, a team can't succeed in the long run without their ace at top form.
The Giants Must Stop Stranding Guys on Base
This problem has become all too familiar to the Giants.
San Francisco has shown that they know how to score, as they usually string hits together and score a couple runs in one or two innings. However, they waste too many scoring opportunities.
The Giants have such a big problem with this that I almost feel bad for someone if they get a two-out hit with no one on base. The runner rarely scores, even if he reaches second or third base.
While the Giants may be a very tough team to no-hit, they aren't too tough to shut out. Giant hitters have a knack for swinging at bad pitchers with runners on and two outs, which could be a sign of the hitters trying to hit the ball no matter what.
Whatever it is, it must stop.
San Francisco gets in these jams by getting on base, which they are great at. However, the hitters can't change their approach with runners on. They have to string together some hits and score more runs.
If this doesn't happen, the pitchers will have a very tough time winning. Which takes us into the final slide...
San Francisco's Pitchers Must Continue Their Success
Out of all of these slides, this one may be the easiest for the Giants.
San Francisco is a fantastic pitching team, and every guy in their rotation and bullpen knows what to do. Even Barry Zito, who has received criticism by Giant fans ever since signing in 2007, is 4-2.
Every Giant starter besides Lincecum has a winning record.
Madison Bumgarner is the future for the Giants, but he isn't doing too bad right now. He is 6-4 with a 3.04 ERA, and he has pitched well and struck guys out consistently. He goes deep into games and rarely ever allows more than five runs in a start.
Ryan Vogelsong doesn't have many years left, but he's making the most of his opportunity with the Giants. He may only be 3-2, but his 2.36 ERA (sixth in the majors) and his ability to strand runners on base (mostly with ground balls) has helped the Giants a ton.
Matt Cain has been great, as he has a 6-2 record and 2.62 ERA. Cain has shut out opposing teams, and even though he hasn't received much run support, he has found ways to force ground balls, which result in lots of double plays.
Barry Zito has been a pleasant surprise for the Giants, going 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA. Opponents have a .232 batting average against him, and he has a WHIP of 1.33.
Zito hasn't given up more than four runs in a game this year, and he went the distance against the Rockies (shutting them out).
In addition to those four guys, the bullpen has been great as well.
Santiago Casilla has 14 saves, and he has done a great job replacing Brian Wilson as the closer. Sergio Romo is 2-0 with a 0.61 ERA and a rate of 12.27 strikeouts per nine innings.
Oh, and don't forget Clay Hensley, who has an ERA of 1.77 and has become a valuable part of the bullpen.
Just like they always are, San Francisco's staff (and bullpen) has been great this year.
The Giants' offense has been struggling, as they are 20th in runs scored. Although they have a .320 team OBP (higher than the NL average), their tendency to leave guys on base has hurt their run-scoring.
For the Giants to win the NL West, they will have to keep playing well. The Giants' offense is getting better, but they usually score two or three runs per game, which the staff needs to turn into wins.
If they can't do that, they can't compete for a playoff spot.
The Giants won the World Series two years back, and they finished second in the NL West last year. However, the D-Backs, the 2011 division champs, are well behind the Giants, and only the Dodgers stand ahead of them.
Dodger star Matt Kemp is injured and will miss a minimum of four weeks, which is a huge blow to the Dodgers. Although they played well without him, his presence will sorely be missed by L.A.
The Giants still need to do some things before being crowned as division champs. The Dodgers are a great team, and the Giants will have to work hard and play good baseball to secure the division's automatic playoff berth.
Here are five things that must happen for the Giants to become contenders.
Melky Cabrera Must Stay Hot
So far, so good.
Melky Cabrera has been amazing throughout the first two months of the season, posting a .373 batting average (which leads the majors). He leads the league in hits and is scoring a lot of runs for a team that struggles to score them.
And to think all the Giants gave up for him was Jonathan Sanchez and Ryan Verdugo.
The Melkman has done a great job getting on base and running the bases, as he has scored 40 runs this year. He knows how to drive guys in, as he has 26 RBI. His seven triples lead the majors, and his 12.9 percent strikeout rate isn't too bad either.
On defense, Cabrera has played very well.
He has great range on defense, and he can throw guys out at the plate, dive to make catches and make plays very well in left field. His ability to hold a possible double to a single has helped the Giants immensely this year.
Cabrera has been amazing so far, but he'll have to keep it up. Despite his amazing play, San Francisco is only 28-24.
While the rest of the team is starting to heat up, Cabrera will have to keep up his great play for the Giants to catch and pass the Dodgers, and to become a contender.
While I think it will happen, if it doesn't, the Giants are in trouble.
Brett Pill Must Consistently Put Up Good Numbers
I know Brett Pill comes up big a lot for the Giants, and I know the Giants haven't given him much of a chance yet. However, he needs to consistently play well for the Giants.
Aubrey Huff is washed up, and Brandon Belt is also inconsistent (and struggling). Pill will soon become the Giants' everyday first baseman, and to do that, he'll have to consistently hit well.
Belt can play first, but he isn't as good of a hitter as Pill. Belt also has a habit of striking out, and he has gone back-and-forth from the minors. Right now, it seems like Pill is the guy the Giants want at first base.
To assume that role, he'll have to start hitting on a regular basis.
Right now, Pill is struggling. He has pop in his bat, and he is a threat to get a deep hit and hit a home run every time he steps to the plate. However, he has struck out 15 times in 72 at-bats, and he'll have to strike out less to assume the everyday role.
Pill is an average defensive first baseman, and Belt has the advantage on defense. However, with Belt at first, the Giants will have more trouble winning the division, because even though the Giants are struggling at fielding the ball, they need hitting more.
San Francisco can't be an elite team if their first baseman doesn't hit better than .208, his current average. Pill will have to stay out of huge slumps, bring in runs and hit homers consistently to provide a boost for the Giants' offense.
If he doesn't, the Giants will struggle to be a contender.
Tim Lincecum Must Perform Like an Ace
For those of you who haven't followed the Giants very closely, you should know one thing; Tim Lincecum is struggling.
Luckily, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong and Barry Zito have all pitched well. However, for the Giants to continue their success, their long-haired ace must pick up the slack.
Lincecum's pitch speed is slower this year, and he seems to have less command over his pitches. While he can still go deep into a game, his 2-6 record and 5.82 ERA must improve.
Timmy is still striking guys out, as he has 64 strikeouts in 60.1 innings. However, he has given up 61 hits and has a 1.57 WHIP, which means he is putting himself in a lot of (too many) jams.
If Lincecum can consistently string together innings where he lets one or fewer runners on base, he'll be well on his way to returning to his old form.
However, he'll have to stop walking guys (he's issued 34 walks this year) and he'll have to pitch out of jams like he's always done.
Because as we know, a team can't succeed in the long run without their ace at top form.
The Giants Must Stop Stranding Guys on Base
This problem has become all too familiar to the Giants.
San Francisco has shown that they know how to score, as they usually string hits together and score a couple runs in one or two innings. However, they waste too many scoring opportunities.
The Giants have such a big problem with this that I almost feel bad for someone if they get a two-out hit with no one on base. The runner rarely scores, even if he reaches second or third base.
While the Giants may be a very tough team to no-hit, they aren't too tough to shut out. Giant hitters have a knack for swinging at bad pitchers with runners on and two outs, which could be a sign of the hitters trying to hit the ball no matter what.
Whatever it is, it must stop.
San Francisco gets in these jams by getting on base, which they are great at. However, the hitters can't change their approach with runners on. They have to string together some hits and score more runs.
If this doesn't happen, the pitchers will have a very tough time winning. Which takes us into the final slide...
San Francisco's Pitchers Must Continue Their Success
Out of all of these slides, this one may be the easiest for the Giants.
San Francisco is a fantastic pitching team, and every guy in their rotation and bullpen knows what to do. Even Barry Zito, who has received criticism by Giant fans ever since signing in 2007, is 4-2.
Every Giant starter besides Lincecum has a winning record.
Madison Bumgarner is the future for the Giants, but he isn't doing too bad right now. He is 6-4 with a 3.04 ERA, and he has pitched well and struck guys out consistently. He goes deep into games and rarely ever allows more than five runs in a start.
Ryan Vogelsong doesn't have many years left, but he's making the most of his opportunity with the Giants. He may only be 3-2, but his 2.36 ERA (sixth in the majors) and his ability to strand runners on base (mostly with ground balls) has helped the Giants a ton.
Matt Cain has been great, as he has a 6-2 record and 2.62 ERA. Cain has shut out opposing teams, and even though he hasn't received much run support, he has found ways to force ground balls, which result in lots of double plays.
Barry Zito has been a pleasant surprise for the Giants, going 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA. Opponents have a .232 batting average against him, and he has a WHIP of 1.33.
Zito hasn't given up more than four runs in a game this year, and he went the distance against the Rockies (shutting them out).
In addition to those four guys, the bullpen has been great as well.
Santiago Casilla has 14 saves, and he has done a great job replacing Brian Wilson as the closer. Sergio Romo is 2-0 with a 0.61 ERA and a rate of 12.27 strikeouts per nine innings.
Oh, and don't forget Clay Hensley, who has an ERA of 1.77 and has become a valuable part of the bullpen.
Just like they always are, San Francisco's staff (and bullpen) has been great this year.
The Giants' offense has been struggling, as they are 20th in runs scored. Although they have a .320 team OBP (higher than the NL average), their tendency to leave guys on base has hurt their run-scoring.
For the Giants to win the NL West, they will have to keep playing well. The Giants' offense is getting better, but they usually score two or three runs per game, which the staff needs to turn into wins.
If they can't do that, they can't compete for a playoff spot.
Comments