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.
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
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.
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.
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.
MLB 2k11
MLB 2011
http://www.mlb2k11.info