Well, the last time I posted a play was on Sunday where the Giants were holding a 2-1 lead against Oakland in the bottom of the 9th with two outs, two runners on base and only one strike needed as Santiago Casilla was facing Derek Norris who proceeded to hit a 3 run walk off homer and keeping the Giants trailing the Dodgers by 3 games in the NL West.
My how things have changed in the last 4 days. That run turned out to be the last run the Giants pitching staff has given up as they swept the Dodgers and beat the Reds last night and currently are now if first place of the NL West by 1 game. Tonight, Cain takes the mound in an effort to keep the streak alive.
Now, I mentioned that I expected the Giants to win the NL West, but it goes further then that. This team is actually better and more mature then the 2010 World Championship team! That's right! To remind everyone, the 2010 team took out Atlanta (3-1), Philadelphia (4-2) and Texas (4-1) behind their dominant pitching and timely hitting. This team's starting pitching staff is two years more mature with Lincecum now looking like he is beginning to settle into a groove with his 3-0 performance over the Dodgers, Bumgarner, Cain, Zito and Vogelsong. I defy anyone to tell me a better starting five in MLB. Mid relievers have been solid and the set up men Affeldt, Lopez and Romo have been outstanding and current closer Santiago Casilla, although shaky against Oakland, has saved 21 of 23, but is on a short rope as poster Red007 stated, don't be surprised if either the Giants use closing by committee or Romo becomes the permanent closer. The pitching staff has a 3.41 team ERA.
As for hitting, there is absolutely no comparison between this team and the 2010 team. This team can flat out hit from top to bottom and are getting better with the likes of Cabrera (.351), Sandoval (.306), Posey (.300), Pagan (.295), Theriot (.273), Sanchez (.271), Belt (.259), Blanco (.258) and Crawford (.233). The team batting average is .262. Defensively, the team struggled early but has now settle into a sweet groove and is playing great baseball.
Finally, the team is a very close knit group that has fun yet concentrates and focuses on the task everyday or night of a game.
So, why am I telling you all this? Because, I think there are some nice futures on the Giants still remaining as they continue to fly under the radar as the East Coast bias is still in play. Currently, you can get the Giants at 6-1 to win the National League and 17-1 to win the World Series. IMHO, the National League is very weak and I expect the Giants to end up with the best record in the NL and secure home field advantage. As for the American League, they will sort themselves out and if the Giants win the NL pennant, they will face only the winner of that race and remember what happened in 2010 when they dominated Texas (4-1).
As for today, who else?
Year To Date Record: (7-6)(+0.26)
1* San Francisco -155
Good luck everyone!
My how things have changed in the last 4 days. That run turned out to be the last run the Giants pitching staff has given up as they swept the Dodgers and beat the Reds last night and currently are now if first place of the NL West by 1 game. Tonight, Cain takes the mound in an effort to keep the streak alive.
Now, I mentioned that I expected the Giants to win the NL West, but it goes further then that. This team is actually better and more mature then the 2010 World Championship team! That's right! To remind everyone, the 2010 team took out Atlanta (3-1), Philadelphia (4-2) and Texas (4-1) behind their dominant pitching and timely hitting. This team's starting pitching staff is two years more mature with Lincecum now looking like he is beginning to settle into a groove with his 3-0 performance over the Dodgers, Bumgarner, Cain, Zito and Vogelsong. I defy anyone to tell me a better starting five in MLB. Mid relievers have been solid and the set up men Affeldt, Lopez and Romo have been outstanding and current closer Santiago Casilla, although shaky against Oakland, has saved 21 of 23, but is on a short rope as poster Red007 stated, don't be surprised if either the Giants use closing by committee or Romo becomes the permanent closer. The pitching staff has a 3.41 team ERA.
As for hitting, there is absolutely no comparison between this team and the 2010 team. This team can flat out hit from top to bottom and are getting better with the likes of Cabrera (.351), Sandoval (.306), Posey (.300), Pagan (.295), Theriot (.273), Sanchez (.271), Belt (.259), Blanco (.258) and Crawford (.233). The team batting average is .262. Defensively, the team struggled early but has now settle into a sweet groove and is playing great baseball.
Finally, the team is a very close knit group that has fun yet concentrates and focuses on the task everyday or night of a game.
So, why am I telling you all this? Because, I think there are some nice futures on the Giants still remaining as they continue to fly under the radar as the East Coast bias is still in play. Currently, you can get the Giants at 6-1 to win the National League and 17-1 to win the World Series. IMHO, the National League is very weak and I expect the Giants to end up with the best record in the NL and secure home field advantage. As for the American League, they will sort themselves out and if the Giants win the NL pennant, they will face only the winner of that race and remember what happened in 2010 when they dominated Texas (4-1).
As for today, who else?
Year To Date Record: (7-6)(+0.26)
1* San Francisco -155
Good luck everyone!
