Expert MLB Handicapper Dave Price ’s 2008 San Francisco Giants Predictions put the Giants in the basement of the NL West. Find out if anything can save them in this season preview for Point-Spreads.com. Sportsbook.com has the San Francisco Giants as 100 to 1 odds to win the 2008 World Series Championship.
Starting Rotation/Bullpen – In 2007, Barry Zito set or tied career worsts in ERA, wins, innings, and starts. That’s not what you want to see from a guy you signed to a $126 million deal and you call your ace. Right hander Matt Cain has the potential to be a 20-game winner, though his 7-16 record last season hardly shows it. His 3.65 ERA was very respectable. Get this kid some run support and you may just see the wins pile up.
Tim Lincecum might be the only name creating any positive buzz around the Giants’ organization these days. After starring at Triple-A Fresno, he had a solid rookie stint in the bigs going 7-5 with a 4.00 ERA. The kid has great stuff and looks like the ace of the future for San Fran if they can hold onto him during the rebuilding process. Lefty Noah Lowry is a proven winner. He went 14-8 last season with an ERA of 3.92. If he can quit walking batters he could really see some success. Kevin Correia will get a chance to stick on the Giants rotation in 2007 after years of spot duty. He was another pitcher which suffered due to lack of run support.
It looks like a tough year for the Giants’ pen. Both lefty setup men, Steve Kline and Jack Taschner, allowed lefties to hit over .315 off of them last season. The pen was the worst in the West last season and the same group returns. Improvement is inevitable as I think Brian Wilson will have a solid year with his upper-90’s heat and hard slider, but overall, the pen will likely run out of ink again.
Batting Order – Leftfielder Dave Roberts will likely be inked in as the leadoff man on Opening Day. His 31 thefts in 114 games was impressive, but don’t be surprised if he loses his job to younger players as the Giants go into rebuilding mode. Shortstop Omar Vizquel can still glove with the best of them, but a down year suggests he is losing something at the plate. Rightfielder Randy Winn in the best option in the three-slot and is coming off a productive season. Catcher Bengie Molina will be called upon to provide the pop. He had 19 homeruns and 81 RBIs last year.
Experts feel Centerfielder Aaron Rowand’s numbers are expected to crash outside of Philly’s hitter-friendly park. He had 27 bombs and 89 RBIs last season, but if that’s what the Giants think they are getting, they may have another thing coming. One would think that Ray Durham would be motivated in a contract year. He really struggled in 2007, batting just .218. First baseman Daniel Ortmeier packs power from both sides of the plate and could eventually develop into an All-Star once he learns some discipline. Third baseman Kevin Frandsen is a great contact hitter, which makes him a solid contributor in the eighth spot.
San Francisco is getting ready to experience a post-Bonds hangover which started when he was still there. It is apparent that the Giants do not have a team capable of competing in this division in 2008, and they likely don’t have a team capable of winning 70 games.
Sportsbook.com has posted MLB betting odds on various 2008 San Francisco Giants Predictions:
Odds to win NL West: 18/1
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant: 40/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 100/1
