They started the season badly. Hunter Pence, their right fielder, was hit by a pitch near the end of spring training and had his arm broken, so he was out for the first few weeks, but April and much of May were really bad for the entire team. They couldn't seem to win anything.
Then Pence came back and, for whatever reason (I find it hard to believe one man in a nine-man roster can make 100% of the difference), they started to win. They won enough games that they climbed out of the NL West cellar and started beating the teams that had trounced them.
Since then, though, it's been a rough year. Between injuries to several of their key players and stronger teams (damn those Dodgers!), they're not in the cellar, but they're out of contention for the playoffs.
The closest they've come to catching up with LA is 1.5 games back - then they've slid again and can't get the momentum to climb that last slope and catch up.
Of course, with the field of other contenders, I don't think the National League West is going to do well in the playoffs.
The Chicago Cubs are playing really well, as are the Pittsburgh Pirates. Both teams handed the Giants their hats and sent them packing.
Now, to the credit of the Cubs which have had sketchy runs at the playoffs in the past decades - getting close but not quite making it in, or being the bridesmaid who stumbles on her hem - they are playing hot ball this season. The Giants have played them five times this year and all five times the Cubs have walloped them.
Against the Pittsburgh Pirates they've played seven games, six of which they've lost. So the East is going to be hard to beat come playoff time.
It's probably for the best, anyway. As of now, the Giants have so many key players out on the disabled list that they're playing guys who have washed out at other teams, rookies and wet-behind-the-ears kids called up from the minor leagues.
Granted, a couple of their rookies or first year guys have played extremely well.
Matt Duffy, in his second year playing in the Bigs, took over third base from McGehe (who, I'm really sorry to say it, SUCKED). Duffy came up playing shortstop in college and the minors and hadn't played the third base position before this season. Since being tried out there, he has played it masterfully.
Joe Panik is another one. After a couple of rookie mistakes last season, he has really come into his own at second base. He and Brandon Crawford make a great infield duo. While he still has a lot to learn, watching him at the plate or on the field he seems older and more seasoned than he is. Unfortunately, right now, he's out with a sore back and hasn't played for several weeks.
Kelby Tomlinson came up from the minors after Panik's back started acting up earlier this month, and took over second base. He's not doing too badly there, either. He's a rookie and it shows, but he's made some solid plays and when he's at the plate, he's been really good. And, he is one class guy.
In his first at bat, he was in as a pinch hitter and hit a single into left-center field. What makes him class, though (IMO), is that he dedicated that hit to Kaiser Carlile, a nine-year old batboy who was hit in the head by an errant swing on Sunday, August 2nd during a college world series game and died on Monday, August 3rd. Tomlinson had played for the team for which Carlile served as batboy, but it's not clear whether he knew the boy. To me, though, it just shows class to be thinking of a little kid while taking your first major league at bat.
As for the other injuries, they've been rough.
Hunter Pence, their Right Field Man of Steel, has been off and on the roster all year. First, with an arm broken by a pitch in Spring Training, then with tendonitis in that same arm, now with a pulled (torn?) oblique. It's been a rough year for a man who never missed a game.
Nori Aoki who the Giants acquired from Kansas City was having a solid year, up until he was hit just above the ankle by a bad pitch. It broke his leg, so he was out for several weeks. Then, almost as soon as he got back, he was hit in the head, just above the brim of his batting helmet, by a pitch. That was one seriously scary moment:
After that, he tried to play but was concussed so missed several games.
Angel Pagan, their centerfielder, tore up his knee twice this season. First, by sliding to make a great catch but also catching his knee in the turf, and then by ramming it into the centerfield wall making another great play. He's out with tendonitis in his knee and isn't expected to be back for a while, yet.
With these guys not playing, their bats - key in the Giant's offense - have been MIA and the Giants just haven't had good luck trying to replace them.
They've also struggled tremendously with their pitching staff. Their only really good, solid, consistent starter is Madison Bumgarner. The rest? Pffft.
Vogelsong has been all over the place - one quality start, three miserable outings seems to be the pattern. I don't know what his contract is, but he's not worth whatever they're paying him. I feel sorry for the guy because you can see he really is trying his best, but I hope the Giants trade him this off season.
Cain can't find the groove, but their pitching staff has been working with him (heck, the guy had two surgeries on his pitching arm during the off season last year, so what do you expect?). I hope next season he'll be all the way back, and be able to really take over the mound like he used to.
Lincecum started the year looking pretty good but then took a nosedive. The problem? His hips. He's got a degenerative condition that's going to shorten (if it hasn't already ended) his career. That's a shame because, in his day, he was a great pitcher. And that sounds sooo wrong. The guy is only 31 years old! On the other hand, his contract is up this year so the Giants will have a choice - keep him and try to get him working again, or cut him loose on some other team. Personally? I hope he retires. He's got a solid reason and it would be a shame to see him keep trying and break his body down more, creating an old man before it should happen.
Heston - iffy. Hudson, he's had a couple of good starts but, for the most part, hasn't done notably well. Peavy was a mid-season acquisition who's had a couple of rocky outings. It's been rough, and their bullpen hasn't been up to snuff, either.
Jeremy Affeldt was the bright spot, there, but he would face one or two batters, then be replaced. He's not and never was a long reliever. Now he's on the DL with a knee problem.
It's just been a hard, hard year on the pitching side of things. Which is a lot of the reason why they have lost as many games as they have. Doesn't matter how good your offense is if your pitchers are letting the other team score runs.
Oh well. 2015 wasn't their year, anyway. If recent history is anything to go by, they'll be back with a vengeance next season and will add another even-year ring to their collection.
Now, how about that? Miracles do happen! Hadn't a clue what to write and this post just about took care of itself.
Hope your day goes as easily!
Best~
Philippa
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