There's something about this Giants team...why? Because somehow, despite the fact that their starter was pulled after just two innings, they were able to win this game. Jonathan Sanchez allowed two earned runs in two innings of work (including putting on two baserunners to start the third). He just didn't have his stuff in Game Six, throwing 26balls and 24 strikes. It was the right decision to pull Sanchez in the third, though, albeit a risky one.
Bruce Bochy did an incredible job managing this game. There's no denying it. He had to use some odd combination of relievers for seven innings -- in the right spots -- and he did.They went seven scoreless innings, and allowed only five hits. One could scrutinize Bochy's decision to have Tim Lincecum pitch the eighth inning. It ultimately didn't work out, as Lincecum was only able to retire one batter, allowing two hits. I personally liked the decision, though. Who else would you want out there? Brian Wilson for another disastrous attempt at a six-out save? Sergio Romo, who has already had a couple of shaky outings this postseason? Ramon Ramirez, who has allowed two home runs in late innings in this postseason? Yeah, you get the point. You want your ace out there on the mound. It wasn't really a successful move, but in my mind, it was the right move.
And, Juan Uribe was the hero. His eighth inning solo shot was the difference in yet another one-run game. It's easy to forget Uribe's value to the team. He's rather slow, and strikes out a lot. But he can play three infield positions -- rather useful, when you think about all the injuries the Giants have endured this year -- and he's got the ability to knock one out at any time. He ranked 5th among NL infielders in home runs this year, right above Hanley Ramirez and Brandon Phillips.
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Cody Ross won the NLCS MVP, and rightfully so. What an amazing postseason he's had. He's been on base in every single game this postseason. He's currently riding a seven-game hit streak. He's hit four home runs and four doubles, and knocked in eight runs. The Giants would not be advancing to the World Series without him. His performance has earned him the NLCS MVP, and on top of that, his own song:
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It was extremely important to win Game Six. I can't even imagine how stressful -- and difficult it would've been to win Game Seven. After using the bullpen for seven innings in Game Six, they would be pretty worn out for Game Seven. And Matt Cain, a flyball pitcher inCitizens Bank Park, could've been a disaster. The Giants, instead, have their first NL pennant since 2002, and their 21st NL pennant in franchise history.
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I did some research and...
There have been a total of 157 postseason games in which the starter went two or fewer innings.
Of those, only 37 times did the starter's team win that game.
Last night's game was one of those cases.
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ESPN Sportsnation has polls about the TEX-SF World Series...I thought it would be fun to take a look at the current results...you can vote here.
1. Which team will win the World Series?
28% Giants, 72% Rangers
2. Which team has a better rotation: Giants (Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, Bumgarner) or
Rangers (Lee, Wilson, Lewis, Hunter)?
51% Giants, 49% Rangers
3. Which team has the better offense?
14% Giants, 86% Rangers
4. Which Championship Series MVP will be more dominant in the World Series?
25% Cody Ross, 75% Josh Hamilton
5. Which team do you want to see win the World Series?
47% Giants, 53% Rangers
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I made a post eleven days ago about the possibility of a TEX-SF World Series. In it, I said:
"I would love to see an SF-TEX World Series. Not only do I think they are anFinally, this World Series will be meaningful. The Rangers have never won a World Series, and the Giants haven't won one since 1954. I think that's a lot more interesting to see than the Yankees going for their first World Series title since 2009 and the Phillies going for their first one since 2008...
easier potential matchup than the New York Yankees, but it would also be their first World Series. Frankly, I'm sick of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, etc...I'm sick of the Yankees playing in the World Series. It would be nice to see Texas finally play in a World Series."
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Bengie Molina automatically gets a World Series Ring. He deserves one. It must have been a hard, sudden transition to go from a team he'd been with for three and a half years to the Texas Rangers. This was a very good article on Molina.
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Thank you, Brian McCann. His three-run double in the All Star game helped to bring the National League their first all-star game victory since 1996. Thanks to him, the Giants will have home-field advantage in the World Series.
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As good friend Aidan Harris kindly pointed out, the last two times the American League hasn't won an all-star game, the Giants have been to the World Series. In 2002, the all-star game resulted in a tie, and the Giants went to the World Series. Now, in 2010, the Giants are going back to the World Series.
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Needless to say, 2010 has been a huge success. Regardless of what happens in the World Series, the Giants have laid the foundation for success in the next few years. They'll be back with the same rotation in 2011, but this time, they'll all have playoff experience. And, with the Giants' success this year, they've brought in more money, so they can afford to make necessary acquisitions for 2011 (and/or beyond 2011).
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In case you didn't see the benches clear in Game Six, here it is...
Jonathan Sanchez: "I've hit him maybe five times. I wasn't trying to hit him. It's always been an accident. It wasn't something I wanted to do. But the way he acted, it was very unprofessional."
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MLB Trade Rumors on the Giants' roster...a good read.
You know the Giants are having success when "Brian Wilson, the machine" is a hot trend on Google...
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| Click to enlarge |
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Apparently, Freddy Sanchez has been moved to the rotation...
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| Click to enlarge (thanks again to Aidan Harris for showing me this) |
