“…And for the fourth time in seven years, the San Francisco Giants have won the World Series.”
Come October, this will be the call made by much-loved TV commentator Jon Miller as the team floods onto the field to start the celebrations.
Bold prediction? Maybe not.
Let’s get the “even year” thing out of the way first. The Giants have won World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014 which is already a remarkable pattern.
For them to do so again in 2016 would get more than a few sceptics re-considering whether there might be something to this even-number year thing after all. They’ll certainly be looking forward to 2018…
It’s not that I believe their victory this year is exactly “written in the stars”, but it’s written in the wins column.
They went into the All Star break with the best record in the major leagues, 57-33, and a very healthy 6.5-games lead in the NL West over the Dodgers.
Realistically it’s between the Giants, Nationals and the Cubs in the National League. And when they’re on song, as they have been in even-numbered years and are this year, it’s hard to back against Bruce Bochy’s team.
Injuries have played a major part in their failure to win in the intervening years, but though they have been badly hit again this year (losing the likes of Angel Pagan, Joe Panik, and Hunter Pence) their replacements are all stepping up and taking their chance to impress. Who wouldn’t be busting a gut to play so well while the stars are out that they force manager Bruce Bochy to keep them in the line-up?
The addition of starting pitcher Johnny Cueto, who helped the Royals win the World Series last year, has been hugely successful. He was 12-1 going into the All Star break and had won his last nine decisions.
Three of the starters – Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, and Madison Bumgarner – are so good and so consistent that fans go to the ballpark mentally chalking up a win before the first pitch is thrown.
Catcher Buster Posey calls the shots as well as being a big asset with the bat. The first-choice infield of Brandons Belt and Crawford, Panik and Matt Duffy are excellent fielders and hitters.
If there’s a vulnerability about the team it’s in the bullpen. Neither Sergio Romo nor closer Santiago Casilla have been as reliable this year as in previous seasons, but they have proved themselves in post-season and can do so again in 2016.
The core of this team will be around for years – few walk away (it hasn’t worked out too well for former third baseman Pablo Sandoval) and they’re a tight bunch.
While 2010 was a surprise championship, there was a feeling among fans and players in both 2012 and 2014 that this would be the Giants year.
Exactly the same again this time, so it will come as no surprise when (OK, technically “if”) they are celebrating again come October.
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