Here Come the San Francisco Giants

Will Selva - SF GiantsAfter starting the season 4-10, 5th in their own division, the Giants are beginning to hit their stride. Currently on a 5 game winning streak and having won 7 of their last 10, the Giants are now 22-18, good for second in the NL West. Lets take a look at what has changed and gone right for the Giants since their slow start.

SP Madison Bumgarner

After starting 1-1 with an ERA over 5, Bumgarner has settled down. It was noted that he may struggle because he had thrown 270 innings between last regular and postseason. In three starts for the month of May, Bumgarner is 2-1 and sporting a 2.33 ERA. For the year, he’s now 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA. He has certainly improved since early on and I expect his numbers to get even better has the Giants get more competitive in the NL West.

C Buster Posey

Buster Posey was also off to a slow start hitting .229 with just 2 home runs and 6 runs batted in. Posey is now hitting right on par with his career .307 average with a .308 average. He also has 7 home runs to go with 21 runs batted in. He only has 3 doubles which is a bit concerning but he should find the gaps sooner or later.

Giants Hitting Overall

The Giants are hitting as a team .268, good for fourth in the MLB. A lot of this rides on Angel Pagan, Brandon Belt, Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, Nori Aoki, Joe Panik, and Matt Duffy who all hold averages over .286. Nori Aoki has also flashed some speed on the base paths having swiped 10 bags this season. Belt, Pagan, and Posey all have averages over .300 for the season.

The Giants just got Hunter Pence back and hope to have pitcher Matt Cain back around the All-Star break. With the Giants also in the market for a third baseman, look out for the upward trending San Francisco Giants.

Optimism for the Defending NL Champs

The San Francisco Giants are off to a slow start in 2015. At 4-10, they currently sit 5th in the NL West, six games behind the first place Los Angeles Dodgers. While they did lose third basemen Pablo Sandoval to the Boston Red Sox in the off season, many of the pieces from last year remain.. they just may be currently sidelined or off to a slow start.

OF Hunter Pence

Last year, Pence was a cog in the Giants lineup hitting .277 with 20 home runs, 74 runs batted in, 29 doubles, and 10 triples. He even swiped 13 bags. He was hit by a pitch in spring training back in March and is expected back in the coming weeks. He should bring more pop to the lineup which is currently hitting .233 as a team.

SP Matt Cain

Will Selva - Matt Cain

Pitcher Matt Cain is dealing with injury

Cain has been with the Giants since 2005 and has been the ace of the staff at times. Cain can be dominant and a big plus for the Giants when healthy. When healthy is a question mark. Cain started only 15 games last year and currently has yet to see the field. He’s currently on the 15 day disabled list with a flexor tendon strain and may be out longer than expected. While he was expected to begin throwing on the side next week, some are saying he still may not be ready. When healthy, Cain can be a top of the rotation pitcher for the Giants.

C Buster Posey

Posey is a career .307 hitter which is phenomenal for a catcher. However, Posey has got off to a slow start hitting just .229 with 2 home runs and 6 runs batted in. This should not last long and should be seen only as an early season slump. Posey has never hit lower than .284 for a season.

SP Madison Bumgarner

Bumgarner was unstoppable last year in both the regular and post season. He ended up pitching a total of 270 innings last year which can be much on a young arm. He too has got off to a slow start with a 1-1 record and an ERA of 5.29, a whole 2 points above his career ERA of 3.10. He’s closing in on 1,000 innings pitched at the major league level and is still just 25 years old which is extremely worrisome when he is pitching the way he has this year. Hopefully, it’s just the case of a few rusty starts and he regains form.

This Weeks Notable NFL Cuts

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2/23/2015

Indianapolis Colts: Released DT Ricky Jean Francois

Francois, the 28 year old former 7th round pick out of LSU has been released. While never dominant, he has proven to be a contributor to both the 49ers and Colts. He may find himself work this off-season.

Arizona Cardinals: Released WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr.

Ginn Jr. has not been known much as a WR so the Cardinals let the 29 year old go in hopes of finding a new and younger kick returner. Ginn should be able to find work as a returner and number 4 WR elsewhere.

2/24/2015

New York Giants: Released DE Mathias Kiwanuka

Kiwanuka, drafted in the 1st round of the 2006 draft, has been released. The 31 year old DE/OLB has compiled 38.5 sacks during his time with the Giants. He may be looking to join a team as a reserve/pass rush specialist.

2/25/2015

New York Giants: Released RB Peyton Hillis

The Giants have not had the best of luck with running backs of late and this looks like the end of the line for Peyton Hillis in New York. Hillis, who once dawned the cover of the ever so popular Madden video game, has not had the career that he thought he would have. This could be it for his career.

Green Bay Packers: Released LB AJ Hawk

This isn’t the first time, but the Packers have released AJ Hawk. Hawk was cut and immediately re-signed back in 2011 so that the final year worth $10 million did not become guaranteed. Hawk has not been known to be a 3 down linebacker and at his advanced age, he may be looking to become a key reserve.

Detroit Lions: Released RB Reggie Bush

The Lions released the 29 year old running back after signing him to a 4 year deal in 2013. Bush ran for 1,000 yards in his first season but ran for just 297 yards this season. Bush is an asset out of the backfield catching passes and should catch on with a team relatively soon.

Baltimore Ravens: Released WR/KR Jacoby Jones

The Ravens released former Dancing With The Stars contestant Jacoby Jones. Jones has primarily been a number 3 WR with the Ravens but has proven to be a great kick returner. He should catch on with another team this year.

2/26/2015

San Diego Chargers: Released LB Jarret Johnson

The Chargers terminated the contract of LB Jarret Johnson and this comes as no surprise. The 33 year old announced his intent to retire earlier in the week. Johnson spent 9 years with the Baltimore Ravens and the last 3 years with the Chargers.