The San Francisco Giants did the improbably in today’s game. They won two World Series in the last three seasons. They did this one after overcoming Melky Cabrera’s PED scandal and without ace closer Brian Wilson.
Buster Posey had a breakout season in returning from a scary injury that happened during a collision at the plate.
Can the Giants win three out of four?
Here is the 2013 MLB season preview for the San Francisco Giants.
2012 Win/Loss Record: 94-68
Key Additions: OF Andres Torres, P Ramon Ramirez, SS Wilson Valdez, INF Tony Abreu, P Sandy Rosario, P Chad Gaudin, P Boof Bonser, P Scott Proctor
Key Losses: OF Melky Cabrera, P Brian Wilson, 1B/OF Aubrey Huff, 2B/SS Ryan Theriot, P Brad Penny
Interleague Schedule: AL East + Oakland A’s
Projected Starters: Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, Marco Scutaro, Pablo Sandoval, Brandon Crawford, Gregor Blanco, Angel Pagan, Hunter Pence
Projected Starting Rotation: Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Ryan Vogelsong, Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito
Closer: Sergio Romo
Fantasy Sleeper: 1B Brandon Belt – I know what you’re thinking, “Sweetbob, hasn’t Belt been a fantasy sleeper for the last three season?” Yes, but every fantasy baseball team owner has already given Belt a shot. He has burned a lot of team owners, so many people have lost patience. You can get Belt a few rounds later than he should go. I expect a line of .280/15/90 for Belt in 2013. He’s not going to help you much in power, but he’s a guy who could develop into a guy who battles for the batting crown every year. That would be the ceiling, but if you can draft a guy who bats around .280 with double digit power later in the draft, you do it.
Team Analysis: The Giants are going into the 2013 season as defending World Series champions, but they are in the shadows of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Los Angeles are making transactions to win this season and have very deep pockets. Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval are coming off a fantastic post-season run. Can they push that success into another regular season NL West crown? It will be difficult in their division, but they return with the same starting five pitching rotation. If Tim Lincecum bounces back from a disasterous 2012 campaign, the Giants could end up with the best record in baseball. They didn’t lose any player who helped them in the playoffs. Melky Cabrera and Brian Wilson were not part of that group. It’s hard to repeat as champions, but the Giants look poised to make another playoff run in 2013, even if it means a Wild Card spot.
Sportsbook.ag’s 2013 Wins Over/Under Line: 88 (Prediction: OVER)
2013 Projected Win/Loss Record: 92-70 (2nd in NL West) *2nd Wild Card spot*
…because people often find my site on Google by trying to find MLB players with their shirt off (I have zero idea how this started). Here is a picture of Hunter Pence shirtless in an odd photo shoot.
