The San Francisco Giants begin their quest for a 2012 division crown in less than a week, but trying to forget a disappointing 2011 could be their biggest challenge.
San Francisco put up a meek World Series defense last season, finishing eight games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West race.
The Giants should have been more formidable in 2011 considering their pitching statistics: third in WHIP, second in ERA and quality starts, and first in opponents” batting average.
Four San Francisco starters won 12 games or more with WHIPs at or below 1.25 and ERAs below 3.22.
The pitchers were outstanding; the only thing that got in their way was their offense.
Giants” hitters were downright offensive in 2011.
The team ranked in the bottom five in slugging, on-base percentage, batting average and runs.
In fact, the Giants played 98 games in which their offense scored three or fewer runs, posting a 31-67 mark in those contests. On the flip side, they were 55-9 in games in which they scored four or more times.
Injuries certainly played a role.
The Giants were without catcher Buster Posey and second baseman Freddy Sanchez for significant stretches of the season (and also missed third baseman Pablo Sandoval and closer Brian Wilson for shorter stints).
Without Posey and Sanchez, the offense collapsed under the weight of its own ineptitude.
Though Sanchez isn”t 100 percent, Posey appears to be on track this spring, which should bolster the middle of the lineup.
The Giants need another strong season from Sandoval, who hit .315 with 23 home runs and 70 RBI in 117 games.
Off-season outfield acquisitions Angel Pagan and Melky Cabrera must feature prominently in the offense.
Cabrera batted .305 with 18 home runs, 87 RBI and 201 hits for the Kansas City Royals last year. Pagan is the ideal modern leadoff hitter, with a career .750 OPS (on-base plus slugging).
The team also desperately needs offensive productivity from first base and shortstop.
Young talent Brandon Crawford looks to be the starting shortstop and must improve at the plate — he hit just .204 in 66 games last season.
Aubrey Huff had an abysmal 2011, and he”ll probably find himself on a short leash at first base in 2012 (that is, unless Brandon Belt or Brett Pill steals the job from him at the end of spring training).
If the established hitters perform well and stay healthy, and the underachievers step up their game, the Giants should be in good position.
Of course, the assumption is that the pitching staff will continue to dominate.
In order for that to happen, Wilson has to maintain his health, the rest of the bullpen has to remain strong, Tim Lincecum has to recover from a slightly down year, and Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain and Ryan Vogelsong have to pitch as well as last season.
Simply put, the hurlers need to keep doing what they”ve done and the hitters need to do what they”re capable of doing.
Should those two parts come together, San Francisco will be in great shape to improve on its 86-76 record in 2011 and compete hard for the division.
The Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres are destined for rebuilding years while the Diamondbacks seem primed to regress after shocking many with a 2011 NL West crown.
The Giants” chief competition will be the Los Angeles Dodgers, who should finally start playing good baseball with a reigning Cy Young winner and an MVP runner-up (and should ride the high of an ownership change).
Although the Dodgers possess star-power, they lack depth, which leaves them vulnerable in a 162-game season.
Look for the Giants to navigate a tricky first month, build a lead by the All-Star break, increase it throughout August and hold on through an NL West-heavy September schedule.
