The highly anticipated series (at least around here) between the San Francisco Giants and the Atlanta Braves begins tonight at approximately 6:37. I, being a Braves fan, cannot wait. Here’s a little preview.
LINEUP
Both offenses are sub-par. The Braves are playing without future Hall of Fame third baseman Chipper Jones, their No. 3 hitter, and All Star second baseman Martin Prado, Chipper’s replacement at third base and at third in the batting lineup. (The Braves are, fittingly, on their third No. 3 hitter). The Braves are led by Rookie of the Year candidate Jason Heyward, perennial All Star catcher Brian McCann, fellow All Star infielder Omar Infante and waiver wire pick up Derrek Lee.
The Giants are led by their own Rookie of the Year candidate Buster Posey, resurgent first baseman Aubrey Huff and mid-season pick up Pat Burrell.
These offenses are very similar, but I’m going to have to give the slight edge to Atlanta. They are an on-base machine. In a series where not many runs will be scored, getting on base will be huge.
Edge: Braves
BENCH
The Braves depth, a strength earlier in the season, has been crushed by the loss of Chipper and Prado, forcing super-sub Infante and rookie Brooks Conrad into full-time duty. The Giants bench includes many former starters, such as Edgar Renteria and Aaron Rowand, which is good in that they have experience and bad in that they aren’t starters anymore because they stunk it up during the season. But in the postseason, experience wins out.
Edge: Giants
PITCHING STAFF
These teams are, once again, very similar. Their pitching staffs are excellent. Game One pits two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum (16-10, 3.43 ERA) against National League Pitcher of the Month for September Derek Lowe (16-12, 4.00 ERA); Game Two has Matt Cain (13-11, 3.14 ERA) versus Tommy Hanson (10-11, 3.33 ERA); Game Three has Jonathan Sanchez (13-9, 3.07 ERA) versus National League Comeback Player of the Year Tim Hudson (17-9, 2.83 ERA). Both teams possible fourth pitchers are good too””Giants rookie Madison Bumgarner (7-6, 3.00 ERA) and Braves rookie Brandon Beachy (0-2, 3.00 ERA). Something has to give. As even as these staffs are, one has to get the edge. And the Giants, with their ridiculous pitching dominance in September (1.78 team ERA) get it.
Edge: Giants
BULLPEN
Both bullpens are filthy. Both teams have excellent closers: the Giants with Brian Wilson (48 saves, 1.18 WHIP, 1.81 ERA) and the Braves with Billy Wagner (37 saves, 0.87 WHIP, 1.43 ERA); and their other relievers aren’t too shabby either. The Giants have Sergio Romo (2.18 ERA), Ramon Ramirez (2.99 ERA) and Santiago Casilla (1.95 ERA) while the Braves bring Jonny Venters (1.95 ERA), Craig Kimbrel (0.44 ERA) and Peter Moylan (2.97 ERA). Though, again, these teams are about even, the Braves get the edge””Wags, in his last year, has just been too dominant.
Edge: Braves
INTANGIBLES
The Giants have the edge in home field advantage and experience. First experience. Admittedly, neither team has many players that have been to the postseason often. But the Braves have seven rookies on their roster, giving the edge to San Fran. But the Giants’ biggest advantage comes with having home field. The Braves, though the best home team in baseball this year, have been awful on the road””they are 35-46 on the road this year. The Giants must take advantage of this if they want to go on to the NLCS.
The Braves have the advantage in managing and heart. As for the former, all I have to say is Bobby Cox. Nuff’ said. As for the heart””the Braves have 25 last-at-bat wins this year. Not come-from-behind wins mind you (they’ve done that 45 times), but wins in the last at bat. If anybody is going to come from behind in this series, bet on the Braves. It is this factor that gives this section to the Braves.
Edge: Braves
PREDICTION
These teams are almost unfathomably evenly matched (adverb alert!). They are basically even in every aspect. Most expert, however, have the Giants winning this series on the back of their pitching and their home field advantage. But you know what? My bias is coming through.
Braves in 5