I wrote a little blurb today for ESPN’s Sweetspot Blog on the Giants and their second-half keys.
Second-half key: It’s hard not to look at Tim Lincecum as the Giants’ second-half key. His struggles have been crushing and numerous: He’s throwing slower these days, having trouble pitching out of the stretch, and his command, something that was once an improved asset, has slipped. The Giants’ offense still looks middle-of-the-pack, and the team will need every ounce of its pitching to contend.
Player to watch: Buster Posey’s return has gone better than anyone could have expected. We’ve all seen replays of the horrific injury that Posey suffered last year in a home-plate collision against the Marlins, but what Posey’s been able to do with the bat (.289/.362/.458) while coming back from that injury has been nothing short of incredible. The Giants need to be careful with his workload, because as Buster goes, so go the Giants.
Best case: Lincecum rights his ship, the team stays healthy, and the outfield, led by Melky Cabrera, continues to be an asset.
Go on over and check the rest of the NL previews out.
