What the Giants can look forward to;
The fact that we are just a .5 game out of first and the division leading Dodgers are struggling to stay healthy bold well for the Giants. Sure, you could argue that when the Dodgers get Kemp and Either back then they should run away with the division but you have to keep a few variables in mind. The Dodgers had the easiest schedule to start the season in baseball and played a ton of home games, that won't be the case in the second half. The fact of the matter is that the Dodgers aren't healthy yet and there is no guarantee that their star players will be back to 100% in the second half. Lastly, even if the Dodgers get all their players back from injury there is still the case of team chemistry, there may not be enough time for that with just under half a season left.
Most of all, the Giants have yet to play to their potential. Believe it or not the pitching can and should be better in the second half, I would expect a bounce back from Lincecum on some level (although I do not think he'll be himself at all for the rest of the year), and a slight drop in production from Zito, while Cain, Bumgarner and Vogey continue on their way. The other big thing to look forward to is the young core of everyday players. Poesy, Sandoval and Cabrera are starting for the NL in the All Star game and should have all Giants fans excited about a second half surge. Sandoval needs to stay healthy and Posey needs to expect just a little less rest, while Cabrera will continue to be leaned upon for consistency. If you add a hot Brandon Belt and sprinkle in some Pagan, Theriot and a streaky Crawford this team could actually do some second half damage. I've been claiming for over a year that Brandon Belt is the 'X factor' for this team and I think that theory is becoming very apparent now. If Belt can excel in the second half at the same level as our All Stars then we would have a big 4 in our line-up that not a lot of teams are going to want to face in the Playoffs. The most important thing to remember, especially after a horrible end to the first half, is that the last two World Series champs weren't the best teams at the half, they were the best teams in late August and September.
What the Giants can worry about;
Tim Lincecum, Tim Lincecum and probably Tim Lincecum. I refuse to believe that his career is over but I also don't see a movie like Act III turn around for our Hero. Will he get better? Yes, he will. Even all the national media doubters have to admit that Lincecum has been one of the most unluckiest pitchers in baseball when it comes to balls in play. But, I do not expect a sub 2.00 ERA and undefeated second half effort. I think he will pitch just good enough to make the playoff roster and then he'll be used sparingly throughout the playoffs.
The other big worry for the Giants should be that their youth will start to look like the Seattle Mariners youth, big potential with no results. If Posey, Sandoval and Belt fall flat in the second half, especially around Late August and September then you can kiss the playoffs good-bye. We need this young core to progress and be even better in the second half, especially with two outs and runners in scoring position.
BOLD (and silly) predictions for the Giants second half;
I will add and subtract to my bold and silly predictions from the beginning of the season. My mid season silliness is in parenthesis.
First the offense;
- 4 players will hit .300+; Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey, Melky Cabrera, and Brandon Belt all reach the plateau. (I maintain my silliness)
- 5 players hit 20+ HR's. Sandoval, Posey, Cabrera, Belt, and Brett Pill are the power here. Pill is my wild card. I predict he gets more playing time than we expect because of his big bat and he mashes his way down the stretch to 20. (okay, take away Pill, but watch the others surge to 20 each.)
- 2 players hit 30+ HR's. I got Sandoval and Belt showing the big power. I know that Belt could possibly start the season in the minors, which would be a shame, but I think he gets recalled in time to show what all the hype has been about. Which leads me to... (no one reaches the plateau)
- 3 players have 100+ RBI's. Sandoval, Posey, and Belt. Not hard here, I have them mashing all year long. (now I say 2 do, Cabrera and Posey)
- Brandon Crawford more than holds his own hitting .270 BA, 15 HR, 65 RBI, and 15 SB. (Let's go Crawford!)
- Aubrey Huff struggles and is a pinch-hitter most of 2012. Pilate's or not, Huff is on a decline. I know that he has had a trend his whole career of having a good year then a down year but I think now is the time that Huff stays down, and we are once again way over paying for a veteran who isn't contributing much on the field. That being said, Huff is a great personality and he is very valuable all year in the clubhouse. (bingo)
- Freddy Sanchez retires. After finally making a brief comeback Sanchez gets hurt again and decides to announce his retirement do to continuing injury issues. This leads to... (I'm freakin' psychic)
- Prospect Joe Panik, who is once again tearing up the minors, is called up mid-season to take over the 2nd base role for good. He gets off to a slow start but holds his own, showing signs of line-drive gap placement and brief stints of power and speed along with solid defense. (not coming up but he's a stud)
- The Giants offense ends up in the top 3 of all major league baseball. (Hmmmmm)
Obviously, I see a huge change on the offensive side of the ball, because of this the pitching is going to excel.
Now the pitching;
- With a ton of run support from the offense, finally, the pitching starts to rack up the wins. The Giants have three 20 game winners; Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, and Matt Cain. (I guess (sarcasm) I'll drop Lincecum from this list, but I have high hopes for Bum and Cain)
- The pitching continues to be dominant with four sub 3.00 ERA's; Lincecum, Bumgarner, Cain, and Ryan Vogelsong. (again, drop Timmy)
- 3 pitchers have 200+ strikeouts; Lincecum, Bumgarner, and Cain. Lincecum and Bumgarner are locks here but Cain has never reached the milestone in his career. However, this season Cain has been locked in during Spring Training and appears to already be prepared for a big year, add in that it's a contract season and I think he finds a little extra something here and there to finally reach the plateau. With 186 SO's being his former best he hits 203 total this year. (This could still hold with Timmy but it will probably be a career low for him in a complete season)
- The bullpen posts the lowest ERA in the majors. (just silly)
- Brian Wilson is just raunchy with a big bounce back year and surpasses his former career high in saves (48) by recording 52 on the year. (RIP in 2012)
The awards;
- This is a lock- Comeback Player of the Year- Buster Posey. Can Giants fans see anyone else winning this in 2012? (keep truckin')
- Sandoval and Posey finish in the top 3 in NL MVP voting. Pablo is the big winner. (Not going to happen with the injury but Poesy may still finish high)
- Pablo Sandoval wins the batting title hitting .349, this is what propels him past teammate Posey for the MVP. ( I meant Cabrera, stupid auto correct)
- Gold gloves galore for the Giants defense; Sandoval 3B, Crawford SS, Posey C, and Lincecum P all take home the honor. (Not one for the G-men, and that's a BOLD prediction)
- Tim Lincecum wins his 3rd Cy Young award! Madison Bumgarner finishes a close second and Matt Cain is able to finish 5th in the voting. Lincecum leads in SO's and Wins while Bum leads in ERA, which propels Lincecum. Plus, the voters lean towards the older player considering the younger will have many more opportunities. (Anything regarding Timmy at the beginning of 2012 needs to be changed, nobody saw this coming we just have to weather the storm together, please sub in Matt Cain for the CY, he's going to win it this year guaranteed.)
- The Giants win 100 games. After finally establishing an offense the Giants show their true potential. They go on to take the NL West crown on their way to... ( I got them at 90 wins now)
- The Giants win the 2012 World Series. The Tampa Bay Rays put up a hell of a pitching performance in 2012 themselves but are no match for the now dominant S.F. Giants. The Giants take the series 4-1 and talk starts to spread that we have a dynasty on our hands. (Let's say they beat the Angels now, and get revenge for '02)
- Matt Cain signs a 5yr/$115million contract extension with the team. (I was almost dead on)
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