Finally, we've reached the end of the exhibition season as the Giants will wrap up their game in Oakland with the A's then head off to LA where they open the season on Monday afternoon. Here is what the roster should look like come opening day, along with some player predictions for the starting positional players and pitchers 2013 season.
Lineup:
1. CF Angel Pagan: 152 Games, .292 AVG., 11 HR, 57 RBI, 101 R, 25 SB, .762 OPS
2. 2B Marco Scutaro: 141 G, .287 AVG., 9 HR, 65 RBI, 84 R, .785 OPS
3. 3B Pablo Sandoval: 135 G, .305 AVG., 24 HR, 77 RBI, 69 R, .866 OPS
4. C Buster Posey: 152 G, .324 AVG., 27 HR, 109 RBI, 76 R, .965 OPS
5. RF Hunter Pence: 156 G, .279 AVG., 25 HR, 101 RBI, 86 R, .824 OPS
6. 1B Brandon Belt: 146 G, .284 AVG., 22 HR, 73 RBI, 68 R, 15 SB, .812 OPS
7. LF Gregor Blanco: 124 G, .252 AVG., 6 HR, 28 RBI, 50 R, 22 SB, .696 OPS
8. SS Brandon Crawford: 148 G, .256 AVG., 8 HR, 48 RBI, 53 R, .707 OPS
Rotation:
1. RHP Matt Cain: 34 Starts, 16-8, 3.22 ERA, 226 IP, 196 K's, 1.11 WHIP
2. LHP Madison Bumgarner: 34 G, 19-7, 2.92 ERA, 218 IP, 200 K's, 1.09 WHIP
3. RHP Tim Lincecum: 32 GS, 14-10, 3.66 ERA, 197 IP, 207 K's, 1.32 WHIP
4. LHP Barry Zito: 31 GS, 13-11, 4.27 ERA, 188 IP, 126 K's, 1.35 WHIP
5. RHP Ryan Vogelsong: 30 GS, 13-9, 3.68 ERA, 192 IP, 141 K's, 1.28 WHIP
Bench:
C Hector Sanchez
IF Joaquin Arias
OF Andres Torres
IF Nick Noonan
C Guillermo Quiroz
Bullpen:
RHP: Sergio Romo
RHP Santiago Casilla
LHP Jeremy Affeldt
LHP Javier Lopez
RHP George Kontos
LHP Jose Mijares
RHP Chad Gaudin
The two toughest predictions this season for me lie with Sandoval and Lincecum. I mean, after the spring Lincecum just had, he may very well tank again like last season. At the same time, that right arm still has a ton of talent, and if he gets back on track, he can be an ace again. For Pablo, it's whether or not he can stay
on the field. If he could play 150 games, he'd hit 30 jacks and drive in close to 100, but with his weight and all these nagging issues, I just don't see it. I didn't do predictions for the bench or bullpen, because outside of Torres and Arias, I don't see anyone playing a significant role and 2/5 of them may be gone by May anyway. I could see Torres' role increasing if Blanco struggles, however, and Arias would get a jump in PT if/when Panda hits the DL. The bullpen will again be solid, but Romo is a bit of a question mark for me as the full-time closer this year. Wouldn't surprise me if he has 50 saves and a 1.50 ERA, and unfortunately, it wouldn't surprise me if he's hurt and out of the role by June. No matter what happens though, we know Sabean will be ready to make the necessary move to ensure the best shot at repeating as World Series winners, so if they need a closer, or need a left fielder by mid-season, chances are they'll get some help!
2013 Record: 93-69
Lineup:
1. CF Angel Pagan: 152 Games, .292 AVG., 11 HR, 57 RBI, 101 R, 25 SB, .762 OPS
2. 2B Marco Scutaro: 141 G, .287 AVG., 9 HR, 65 RBI, 84 R, .785 OPS
3. 3B Pablo Sandoval: 135 G, .305 AVG., 24 HR, 77 RBI, 69 R, .866 OPS
4. C Buster Posey: 152 G, .324 AVG., 27 HR, 109 RBI, 76 R, .965 OPS
5. RF Hunter Pence: 156 G, .279 AVG., 25 HR, 101 RBI, 86 R, .824 OPS
6. 1B Brandon Belt: 146 G, .284 AVG., 22 HR, 73 RBI, 68 R, 15 SB, .812 OPS
7. LF Gregor Blanco: 124 G, .252 AVG., 6 HR, 28 RBI, 50 R, 22 SB, .696 OPS
8. SS Brandon Crawford: 148 G, .256 AVG., 8 HR, 48 RBI, 53 R, .707 OPS
Rotation:
1. RHP Matt Cain: 34 Starts, 16-8, 3.22 ERA, 226 IP, 196 K's, 1.11 WHIP
2. LHP Madison Bumgarner: 34 G, 19-7, 2.92 ERA, 218 IP, 200 K's, 1.09 WHIP
3. RHP Tim Lincecum: 32 GS, 14-10, 3.66 ERA, 197 IP, 207 K's, 1.32 WHIP
4. LHP Barry Zito: 31 GS, 13-11, 4.27 ERA, 188 IP, 126 K's, 1.35 WHIP
5. RHP Ryan Vogelsong: 30 GS, 13-9, 3.68 ERA, 192 IP, 141 K's, 1.28 WHIP
Bench:
C Hector Sanchez
IF Joaquin Arias
OF Andres Torres
IF Nick Noonan
C Guillermo Quiroz
Bullpen:
RHP: Sergio Romo
RHP Santiago Casilla
LHP Jeremy Affeldt
LHP Javier Lopez
RHP George Kontos
LHP Jose Mijares
RHP Chad Gaudin
The two toughest predictions this season for me lie with Sandoval and Lincecum. I mean, after the spring Lincecum just had, he may very well tank again like last season. At the same time, that right arm still has a ton of talent, and if he gets back on track, he can be an ace again. For Pablo, it's whether or not he can stay
on the field. If he could play 150 games, he'd hit 30 jacks and drive in close to 100, but with his weight and all these nagging issues, I just don't see it. I didn't do predictions for the bench or bullpen, because outside of Torres and Arias, I don't see anyone playing a significant role and 2/5 of them may be gone by May anyway. I could see Torres' role increasing if Blanco struggles, however, and Arias would get a jump in PT if/when Panda hits the DL. The bullpen will again be solid, but Romo is a bit of a question mark for me as the full-time closer this year. Wouldn't surprise me if he has 50 saves and a 1.50 ERA, and unfortunately, it wouldn't surprise me if he's hurt and out of the role by June. No matter what happens though, we know Sabean will be ready to make the necessary move to ensure the best shot at repeating as World Series winners, so if they need a closer, or need a left fielder by mid-season, chances are they'll get some help!2013 Record: 93-69
Comments
I would be over the moon if Timmy got his WHIP back in the 1.2's and could win 14 though. Maybe it's just me, but I see a defeated man in that guy. He's trying everything and failing right now. (even cutting the signature locks!!!)
Belt and Panda are the two I'm being optimistic on. If Panda can play 150, he'd hit 30, no doubt in my mind. If Belt carries any of what he's done in spring into the season, 20 should be very attainable.