2008 San Francisco Giants MLB Predictions & Season Preview
June 9, 2008
The Giants start opening day without Barry Bonds in the lineup for the first time since 1992. Giants’ fans may have been the only folks celebrating Bonds breaking the all-time home run record, and now they must deal with the hangover. The Giants’ young prospects must step up, but it appears they don’t have enough young guys to match the talent of the other clubs in the NL West Division. Below are Larry’s 2008 San Francisco Giants predictions as well as a season preview.
Starting Rotation:
The Giants’ strength this season is their young starting rotation. Barry Zito has been labeled their Ace by the huge contract he signed before the start of last season. But clearly, Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum are the two best starters on the Giants’ roster. These guys will be the No. 2 and 3 starters respectively. Noah Lowry will be the No. 4 man after winning 14 games last year before a bone spur in his elbow cut short a fine season. Kevin Correia emerged as a solid starter in the second half and seems to have found his spot as the No. 5 man in the rotation.
Bullpen:
The Giants hope to win games with their starting pitching, because a meager offense will be trying to provide runs. That means there is little margin for error in the Giants’ bullpen. Brian Wilson had a strong showing in September and has the stuff to be their closer. He has upper-90’s heat and a nasty slider. Tyler Walker made a nice comeback from Tommy John surgery and looks to be the main setup option. Brad Hennessey is a serviceable are as well. Jack Taschner and Steve Kline were abysmal against left-handed hitters last season and will need to show they are improved to make the roster. Lefty Jonathan Sanchez is another option for situational pitching out of the ‘pen.
Line-Up:
LF Dave Roberts is back to leadoff this young lineup after hitting .300 post-May last season. He could lose his spot to younger players by sesaon’s end tho. SS Omar Vizquel is the only ideal No. 2 hitter on this team, but he must rebound at the plate and provide great leadership if San Francisco is to make any noise in the NL West. RF Randy Winn is a switch hitter coming off a terrific season, especially from the right side. C Bengie Molina will bat cleanup. It’s hard to build a speed-oriented offense with a plodding catcher in this spot. CF Aaron Rowand was a great sign from the Phillies and his leadership in the outfield will be needed. But expect his numbers to drop after leaving the Phillies’ hitter-friendly park. 2B Ray Durham should be motivated in the No. 6 spot by being in the middle of a contract year. 1B Dan Ortmeier has power from both sides but lacks plate discipline. This corner infielder has been dropped to the bottom of the lineup because of it. 3B Kevin Frandsen makes contact with any pitch, which makes him a good fit in the No. 8 spot. On the Giants’ bench you will see C Eliezer Alfronzo, IF Rich Aurilia, OF Rajai Davis, OF Fred Lewis, C Guillermo Rodriquez and OF Nate Schierholtz. Aurillia has the most experience after hitting 37 home runs for the Giants back in 2001. Davis is a speedster that should plattoon with Roberts in left after stealing 22 bases last season. Lewis may see some action in day games by hitting .361 in the daytime in 2007. Schierholtz will be an excellent pinch-hitter option after hitting .500 (9-for-18) against lefthanders in spot duty last season.
Giants 2008 Predictions:
The Giants are trying to go younger, but the rest of the NL West got a major head start on them. The Giants lost their first-round picks in ‘04 and ‘05 to sign free agents. Folks in San Francisco are feeling the effects as the other teams in the NL West are stocked with blue-chip talent. This lineup might be the worst in the major leagues, that is if that lineup doesn’t belong to the fellow Padres. Only time will tell, but one thing is almost certain, the Giants will finish in dead last in the NL West this season. Anything better than a 5th place finish would be a huge surprise. The Bonds’ hangover will be severe. The Giants just hope it won’t last more than a season or two.
Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbook and bookies. You won’t believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry’s long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.
2008 San Francisco Giants Odds:
Odds to win NL West:
18/1
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant:
40/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series:
100/1