2011 San Francisco Giants mid season review

The San Francisco Giants have a 61-45 record, and find themselves in first place in the National League West. They are there due to a 27-15 record against their four divisional opponents and a 10-5 record in interleague play. This included 5-1 run against the top two teams in the American League Central. The Giants have 60 days in first place, and have had as big a league as 4.5 games. They are not exactly running away with this division and they made moves at the trade deadline to improve themselves.

The Giants offense has scored 380 runs on 865 hits. Those numbers rank near the bottom of the 16 NL teams. They have added Carlos Beltran and Orlando Cabrera to help combat that stat and make up for the loss of Catcher Buster Posey. The team batting average is .240 and that is third worst in the NL, and a big reason they pulled the trigger on one of the bigger free agent names out there. Giants’ hitters have struck out 751 times, and drawn 310 walks.

The pitching staff is of course pretty awesome. They have given up 363 runs, on 810 hits. The staff ERA is 3.07 and all of those team numbers ranks best or second best in their league. The have struck out 865 hitters and issued 356 free passes. Three of their starting five pitchers are approaching double digit wins, and of course the bullpen has been very good. All of their relievers have an ERA lower than 3.00. Closer Brian Wilson has converted 33 saves.

This is a very good baseball, and defending World Series champs who added a big time hitter and more depth for a team that has struggled a bit at the plate. They have to be considered the favorites for a World Series title for now.

Related Links:

•San Francisco Giants news and notes
•The Business of Major League Baseball
•Joshua Lobdell.com