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2011 Opening Day Preview: Giants vs. Dodgers

We've finally arrived back at the starting point! After a memorable season in 2010, one no Giant fan will ever forget, the Giants are back for more in 2011. The 2011 regular season starts Thursday night for San Francisco, as they travel into LA to play the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. Here is the projected Opening Day Lineup for both teams with some game preview notes to follow:

San Francisco Giants w/roster

Lineup:

1. Andres Torres CF
2. Freddy Sanchez 2B
3. Aubrey Huff RF
4. Buster Posey C
5. Pat Burrell LF
6. Pablo Sandoval 3B
7. Brandon Belt 1B
8. Miguel Tejada SS
9. Tim Lincecum P
_______________________________

LA Dodgers

1. Rafael Furcal SS
2. James Looney 1B
3. Matt Kemp CF
4. Andre Eithier RF
5. Casey Blake 3B
6. Juan Uribe 2B
7. Jay Gibbons LF
8. Rod Barajas C
9. Clayton Kershaw P

Both teams start their hopes for a positive 2011, but the Dodgers have a lot further to go. Casey Blake will be a game time decision and if he's out, that means Uribe's hitting 5th and Jamey Carroll is starting at 2nd base. Hardly the powerhouse you want to display on opening day. On the other hand, they will be bringing their best in Clay Kershaw, and Giants batters need to be on and get to him early and rattle him. It will be the 21 year-olds first Opening Day assignment and you know he's going to have some jitters. Torres, Sanchez and Huff are the perfect set to lead things off against him as they all are patient and know when a pitcher is struggling to find the zone. I think the Giants get to an early lead on a nice rally but probably no home runs. With these two starters, runs will be hard to come by, so a 4-2, 3-1 final wouldn't surprise me. Huff has been hot, so has Posey, and I think Pablo has a nice splashy return to his former self, all with multi-hit games and RBI's. Also looks like Belt will get the start, as he's on the roster and I don't think he's there to observe.

If something goes wrong, it will be because Lincecum gets in trouble by allowing a runner or two then the big 3-run bomb that takes the life out of the team (Matt Kemp should be intentionally walked in such situation). Otherwise, the Giants are the clear favorite, and I expect a comfortable win to start 2011.

Note- It's official, as if anyone expected otherwise, the Bearded Ninja will not be available opening day and has been placed on the DL. Wilson is expected to miss 2 weeks with the oblique strain. So in the final roster move of the spring, they didn't go pitcher, they didn't decided to go versatility and a bring on a guy who's probably better out at short than Tejada is right now but surprisingly, he wasn't picked for his hot bat. Wouldn' that be something, though, if young Ryan Rohlinger comes in and plays short like a young Richie Aurilia. I don't know the Rohlinger move is absolutely final, but the trust colleagues over at YAHOO! SPORTS have him on there and everyone who shouldn't, not. I like the pick. Could also eventually force Fontenot useless if only Rholinger can just be mediocre (.260, 8-10 HR, 40 RBI, 3B/SS/2B average to above average defense), teen wolf may have a battle on his hands. Good move all the way around... Though Corners, goes for outfield too, go to DeRosa.

Comments

Noah said…
Now that's a nice, powerful looking lineup.

I'm surprised Belt is on the team, frankly but whatever. I hope Ishikawa finds a job somewhere around the leagues, he was a good guy.
3:51 PM
Unknown said…
Yeah, Ishikawa never got a fair shake here. He played solid defense and came up with the clutch hit here and there. Let's put it this way, I think his post-Giants career will go much better than Kevin Frandsen's has!
4:29 PM
Noah said…
Check out the MLB Trade Rumors preaeason picks. Once again, the Giants are almost completely slept on, just the way I like it.

I guess now the question is do they ditch Schierholtz or buy out Rowand's contract when Ross comes off the DL? I can't believe I'm saying this because I'm conservative baseball-wise and it's so much money but eating the $24 million makes more sense: Schierholtz is basically a sure thing. Rowand is a clogging the roster. Nate, fast enough to play center, great arm, good enough bat. And did I mention he's paid for? But do they have they have the stones to do something like that? $24 million is a lot of Cha Cha Bowls and Panda hats.
8:19 PM
EFF Dodger BLUE said…
OP Day BBQ at my house, the whole block will be there (Sunnyvale), and we'll have people roll their TV's out onto the porch. It;s going to be like Baseball 4th of july.

Go Timmy, mo em down 1-2-3...

Think he brushes back Uribe? Nah, he was good Giant, just.. The Dodgers?????????????? Pick KC or CLE or PiT after winning with SF, no LA.
12:49 AM
Anonymous said…
Giants look rusty to say the least!
6:17 PM
Anonymous said…
Bad geme from the Giants
10:02 PM
MLB 2k11 said…
Ishikawa was a good player also...I like him.

MLB 2k11

MLB 2011
4:16 AM
MLB 2k11 said…
Giants vs. Dodgers who will win. I think Dodgers may win...
http://www.mlb2k11.info
4:18 AM
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