2022 Snapshot: San Francisco Giants
[ad_1]
Now that the work stoppage is behind us and the teams have had time to improve in preparation for the 2022 season, it’s time to prepare for the next Major League Baseball season by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the different formations. .
On the menu today: the San Francisco Giants.
After a heated fight for the National West title that lasted until the last game of the season, the Giants ended up having the last laugh on the Los Angeles Dodgers, ending the year with one win more than their division rivals. Their 107-55 record, with a .660 winning percentage, allowed them to finish first overall in the league. The Dodgers? Second.
However, their journey ended fairly quickly against these same Dodgers in the divisional series, in five games.
What awaits them now in the 2022 season?
Additions and departures
The Giants certainly haven’t been the busiest team since the start of the free agent season. Nevertheless, Johnny Cueto still saw his contract come to an end following a clause exercised by the team, and he became a free agent (even if he has not yet signed).
Buster Posey (retired), Kevin Gausman and Kris Bryant are the biggest names to leave. Tyler Chatwood, Donovan Solano and Tony Watson are now elsewhere.
The club’s two big signings come from the side of the mound: Alex Cobb and Carlos Rodon. The latter had a solid campaign for the White Sox last year, and he was the second of seven pitchers in the league to go without a run or hit, even coming within two hitters near perfection.
Joc Pederson is also coming with the team. He spent a good part of his career with the Dodgers, and moved between Chicago and Atlanta last year. With the Giants, where he signed for a year, he will be looking for a third championship in a row (with three different teams!).
Strengths and weaknesses
One of the team’s weaknesses does not lie in their hands. Many voices were raised last year to criticize the playoff format, which ensured that the two best teams in the entire league faced each other in the first round. During the lockout, part of the negotiations focused on a modification of the playoff tournament, which this year will have 12 teams. How that might affect the Giants-Dodgers rivalry remains to be seen.
Now on the ground. The strike force of the two Brandons, Crawford and Belt, should be as devastating as last year. The two infielders, present for a long time now, shared 53 of the team’s home runs, which led the National with 241 long balls. Crawford also finished the season with the National League Golden Glove for shortstop.
In the field, if the Mike Yastrzemski, Joc Pederson and Steven Duggar are able to be at the top of their game, they can take the Giants far enough. However, with Evan Longoria out due to finger surgery, the roster could prove rather limited in depth, at least for the start of the season.
The club has several pitchers who are able to get the job done on the mound.
What to expect in 2022?
Rather difficult to predict the balance of power between the Dodgers and the Giants at the start of the season. It will be interesting to see how fast both teams go as the summer progresses.
For now, the top two positions in the standings are almost guaranteed to be occupied by the two Californian rivals, which will also guarantee them a place in the series. It remains to be seen what kind of season the two teams will have.
[ad_2]
