Earlier this summer, J. Sanchez of the San Francisco Giants threw the first no-hitter in San Fran since the 70’s.
Before that game, he was having a rough season, and in the offseason was rumored to be a trade subject.
Today, he’s proving to be one of the toughest pitchers to hit in the national league.
Still a bit wild, with more than 80 walks – but the second half of the season his walk rates have gone down while his strikeout rates have gone up.
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A rotation of:
1. Lincecum – (.208 ’09 BAA ranks 2nd in the NL)
2. Cain – (.235 ’09 BAA ranks 11th in the NL)
3. Sanchez – (.222 ’09 BAA ranks 5th in the NL)
4. Zito – (.250 ’09 BAA ranks 19th in the NL)
5. Bumgarner (the rookie)
Sounds great to me for next year (making sure to limit Madison’s innings).
4 of the top 20 hardest pitchers to hit in the national league reside in San Francisco.
Sabean should let Bowker have LF – cheap and might be the big bat we need to go with Sandoval. If we can get reasonable production out of the non-Sandoval position (either 3b or 1b) and Renteria has a bounce-back season at the plate, the Giants could have an average offense to go with their outstanding pitching – and that could lead to a title. And with fortune, Buster Posey has a fine rookie season next year.
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