Can they do it again?

With the looming lockout in the NFL, the Warriors playing like the Warriors, and the Sharks in the midst of a playoff run, yet still unable to get to the Stanley Cup Finals, the focus in the Bay Area is on the 2010 World Series champion San Francisco Giants. The biggest question that comes up for the Giants is can they repeat? Yes, if the offense plays like it did the last half of last season, if the pitching is amazing once again and if Pablo Sandoval hits and fields like the Pablo of 2009. Last year, Buster Posey woke up the clubhouse and led the team on a tear after being called up going 67-48 and finishing the season 92-70. Aubrey Huff had a career year, Pat Burrell went back to his old National League self, and Cody Ross was unstoppable in the playoffs. Ultimately, the SF Giants offense needed some luck and caught lightning in a bottle to win the world series.

This year, all the talk is about the Phillies and their legendary pitching staff; however, the Giants staff is also pretty darn good and most of America tends to forget about that. Tim Lincecum is a two time Cy Young winner, three time All-Star and is arguably the best pitcher in the league. In the NLCS, he pitched better than Halladay and in the World Series he pitched better than Lee. Matt Cain is the most underrated pitcher in the majors and could be the ace of half of the pitching staffs in the majors. Although he lacked control throughout parts of the regular season and late in the playoffs, Jonathan Sanchez is one of the nastiest lefties in the game when he is on. Madison Bumgarner's World Series performance speaks for itself and as long as his innings are limited he will be a great pitcher this year. Barry Zito is an afterthought at this point; but, for a fifth starter is decent enough and he will give the team the innings it needs. In 2009, the pitching staff had an ERA of 3.55 and a WHIP (Walks and Hits/Innings Pitched)of 1.28. Many claimed that the staff couldn't get much better than that; however, in 2010, the staff had an ERA of 3.36 and a WHIP of 1.27. Unfortunately, without a capable offense, the Giants won't make the playoffs. It is up to Buster Posey and company to be an average offense and help this team make the playoffs once again. If they are able to do that, this pitching staff is capable of remarkable things and they will carry them once again to a title.