Last year, the San Francisco Giants were unable to protect their 2010 World Series title. Though they ended up with a winning mark of 86-76, that was not good enough to take their division as they were 8 wins back of 1st place behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. This year, the Giants have signed outfielders Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan, which gives them enough production on offense to have a chance at returning to the playoffs in 2012. Here are the predicted starting pitchers and bullpen situation. If you would like to find out more about more groups check out our MLB predictions for 2012.
Projected Rotation
Tim Lincecum (RHP) - A poor record of 13-14 last season does not hide the season he had, as he registered a 2.74 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. In Lincecum's starts, the Giants scored a whopping 2.8 runs. He's still one of the top-notch starters in the game today and he is ready to put up a much better record in 2012.
Matt Cain (RHP) - A lack of run support also trashed Cain's record last season. He finished just 12-11 last season, but he posted a solid 2.88 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Cain has been as consistent as they come early in his career. He has now thrown at least 200 innings in each of the last 5 seasons.
Madison Bumgarner (LHP) - In 18 games in 2010, Bumgarner went 8-8 with a 3.00 ERA. He then followed it up with a pretty electrifying full year as a starter, going 13-13 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 33 starts last year. The 22-year-old has loads of talent and actually gives San Francisco a potent 1-2-3 punch at the top of the rotation.
Ryan Vogelsong (RHP) - Vogelsong was one of the enormous surprises in 2011. The 34-year-old posted a pretty electrifying 13-7 record with a 2.71 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 28 starts after spending the last three years in Japan. The burning question now is whether or not the veteran can replicate that fulfillment in 2012.
Barry Zito (LHP) - After going 16-10 with a 3.86 ERA in 2006 with the Oakland A's, Zito has absolutely bombed in his reign in San Francisco. In 5 years with San Franicsco, he hasn't ended with an Age below 4.00 and is just 43-61 over that stretch. There are times where it seems as if he can go back to his 2006 self, but at this point in his career, you cannot expect anything greater than an average year from Zito.
Projected Closer
Brian Wilson (RHP) - Although Wilson was not quite as useful as he was in prior years, he was still able to save 36 of 41 opportunities last year. He's ERA was just 3.11 last year, the highest it's been since 2008, but I wouldn't worry too much. With the starting staff capable of going deep into games and an offense that should improve from a year ago, Wilson could save 45-plus games in 2012.
Projected Rotation
Tim Lincecum (RHP) - A poor record of 13-14 last season does not hide the season he had, as he registered a 2.74 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. In Lincecum's starts, the Giants scored a whopping 2.8 runs. He's still one of the top-notch starters in the game today and he is ready to put up a much better record in 2012.
Matt Cain (RHP) - A lack of run support also trashed Cain's record last season. He finished just 12-11 last season, but he posted a solid 2.88 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Cain has been as consistent as they come early in his career. He has now thrown at least 200 innings in each of the last 5 seasons.
Madison Bumgarner (LHP) - In 18 games in 2010, Bumgarner went 8-8 with a 3.00 ERA. He then followed it up with a pretty electrifying full year as a starter, going 13-13 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 33 starts last year. The 22-year-old has loads of talent and actually gives San Francisco a potent 1-2-3 punch at the top of the rotation.
Ryan Vogelsong (RHP) - Vogelsong was one of the enormous surprises in 2011. The 34-year-old posted a pretty electrifying 13-7 record with a 2.71 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 28 starts after spending the last three years in Japan. The burning question now is whether or not the veteran can replicate that fulfillment in 2012.
Barry Zito (LHP) - After going 16-10 with a 3.86 ERA in 2006 with the Oakland A's, Zito has absolutely bombed in his reign in San Francisco. In 5 years with San Franicsco, he hasn't ended with an Age below 4.00 and is just 43-61 over that stretch. There are times where it seems as if he can go back to his 2006 self, but at this point in his career, you cannot expect anything greater than an average year from Zito.
Projected Closer
Brian Wilson (RHP) - Although Wilson was not quite as useful as he was in prior years, he was still able to save 36 of 41 opportunities last year. He's ERA was just 3.11 last year, the highest it's been since 2008, but I wouldn't worry too much. With the starting staff capable of going deep into games and an offense that should improve from a year ago, Wilson could save 45-plus games in 2012.
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