San Francisco Giants have the hunger to win

By Joseph DeClercq

What do the San Francisco Giants have going for them against World Series opponent Texas Rangers?

Both teams were top-ten in Major league baseball in pitching this season and both have matched each other pitch for pitch this postseason. The Rangers have a lineup that led the Major Leagues in all but three offensive categories, and both teams have managers who are inexperienced in the playoffs.

What the Giants have that sets them apart is their underdog mentality and determination to win with a motley crew of forgotten veterans and hungry rookies.

Two key additions to the Giants’ anemic lineup this year were the signing of veteran hitter Aubrey Huff, and the increase in playing time for journeyman outfielder Andres Torres. Both have excelled this season, and brought sparks to a team who many thought would finish close to last in the National League West.

Torres started the year as a reserve outfielder but went on to hit 16 home runs and steal 26 bases, and forced his way into the lineup every day. Huff, coming off the worst season of his ten-year career in 2009, was the team’s best-run producer with 86 RBI’s. Whether you think they are dramatic overachievers or genuine clutch hitters, they induced life to a lifeless lineup.

In late May, the Giants shook things up yet again. They signed on 34-year-old Pat Burrell. After being cut by Tampa bay, Burrell didn’t do much for the Giants in the outfield but, according to ESPN.com, he hit 18 home runs and drove in 57 RBI’s in only 96 games, and performed in clutch situations under immense pressure.

Then, they brought up prospect catcher Buster Posey, who many thought was rushed to the Major Leagues. But since his late May call up, he has been the best catcher in baseball. By hammering 18 homers and 67 RBI’s while maintaining a solid .305 batting average, Posey ignited the lineup and brought youth to an otherwise old crowd.

With four more wins, the Giants would secure their first title in more than half a century. The New York Giants won the World Series in 1954, and that was the last time they would win it. Since they moved to San Francisco in 1958, they have been to the World Series four times; most recently, they fell to the Anaheim Angels in 2002.

For the last two decades, the Giants have lived with the title of “Barry Bonds’ Team” but this completely new roster has been working vigorously to change that. They haven’t had a winning season since 2004, but after winning the division this year and advancing through the playoffs, they have put themselves in a good position to take the next step in shredding Bonds’ dark legacy.

Much like the Florida Marlins in 2003, the Giants have had a rare formula for winning in this postseason. Tough young pitching, some solid rookies looking to prove themselves — but above all, the Giants feature a lineup full of guys who want to win more than anything. Veterans like Juan Uribe, Aaron Rowand, Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell, Barry Zito, and Freddy Sanchez provide the single characteristic that will bring a ring back to the Bay: experience.

Texas Rangers this season’s team of destiny

By Andrew Lycan

The Texas Rangers have been the most exciting baseball team to watch this October. The Rangers have the perfect balance of blistering power, timely pitching and both young and old players. This mix has brought them to their first World Series appearance in franchise history. Their postseason road has been a tough one, eliminating two favored eastern teams with little complication: first the Tampa Bay Rays, then the New York Yankees.

The Rangers easily match up with the Giants in every category–– yes, even pitching. It doesn’t hurt to have the heavy-hitting offense from past Rangers teams to go with their newfound pitching prowess.

The Rangers lineup reads like an all-star team. Shortstop Elvis Andrus leads things off with pesky speed and aggressive base running that has consistently confounded opposing pitchers throughout the playoffs.

At the heart of the order, you will find the run-producing machine that is Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton and Vlad Guerrero. As the cleanup hitter, Josh Hamilton has been a one-man wrecking crew, driving in runs at a staggering rate and earning the American League Championship Series MVP award, which he graciously shared with his teammates. With the defense to go along with his bat, it’s not hard to imagine Hamilton garnering a World Series MVP award, if nagging injuries don’t interfere.

Much has been said about the fall and rise of the slugging outfielder, but it’s clear that Hamilton’s story is not over yet. Along with manager Ron Washington, Hamilton is a recovering drug addict and their struggles have been well documented. He cited his faith and family as the key to his successful recovery. Washington, on the other hand, has thrown himself into the religion of baseball, preaching the fundamentals of the game to his players with determined fierceness.

The Giants are certainly favored for their pitching, but don’t sleep on the Rangers’ staff. Enough cannot be said for the Rangers unsung ace pitcher, Cliff Lee, whose rise from obscurity in recent seasons has been overshadowed these playoffs by the likes of Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay. It goes without saying that the Lee/Lincecum match up is must-see-TV. Exciting performances from C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis have rounded out the Ranger rotation.

Aside from one nightmare inning against the Yankees, the Rangers bullpen has been lights out. Converted starter Derek Holland has proven to be a viable bridge from the early innings to the underused closer Neftali Feliz. Surprisingly, Feliz has yet to convert a save this post-season.

Look for wily veterans like third baseman Michael Young and catcher Bengie Molina to make key contributions, bringing knowledge and experience that every winning team needs. Utility hitters like Jeff Francoeur and Jorge Cantu represent a deep bench that Washington will undoubtedly need, especially if the Series goes long.

It’s not hard to get behind this Cinderella club that has certainly been making the game of baseball look easy thus far. The Texas Rangers appear to be the team of destiny this October.