In Major League baseball there isn’t that one guy on the field who constantly leads a team like a quarterback does in the NFL, but there are a group of guys who make a difference in the game. To make it to the playoffs or even the World Series a tough bullpen rotation is key, and I believe the San Francisco Giants have one of the best in the MLB. But are they strong enough to lead the Giants to a championship?.The Giants pitching core is led by Tim “The Freak” Lincecum and then backed by true strong armed athletes in Barry Zito and Matt Cain.
Lincecum is a two time CY young winner and is doubtedly one of the best pitchers in game. Lincecum has a very strong release and one of the dirtiest changeups in across the league. So far this season Lincecum has had a strong start, winning 5 games out of 8 starts with 0 games lost. He has an ERA of 1.76 and has already racked up 69 strikeouts, which is the most by any pitcher this season.
The strongest thing about Tim Lincecum is his short memory on the field, and his teammates always seem to rally behind him. He may come out and have a bad inning maybe giving up a homerun or a few hits, but then in the next inning he comes out and just strikes out the side. Lincecum is a work horse, every time he takes the mound it is expected for him to throw for at least 115 pitches or more.
Tim Lincecum is still a youngster in the league and I see him being dominate for many years to come. He has yet to take his team to the playoffs, so I am not too sure how he would pitch under pressure in a big game, but I see him getting his first playoff start this season and maybe prove why he deserves the CY young awards he has previously won.
When Lincecum is not on the mound the Giants look to pass the ball to Barry Zito. Zito is also a previous CY young award winner, but it was when he spent his time with the Oakland Athletics. Since Zito has been in San Francisco, he has not been able to be the oppsolite pitcher he once was with Oakland.

This season Zito vowed to come out and perform to his highest potential and so far he has been pitching pretty darn well. Out of 8 starts Zito has only lost 1 game but has won 6. Ever player in the MLB knows of Zito’s just downright nasty breaking ball. I have no idea how he has the ability to put that much break on the ball. Zito is pitching with 39 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.15.
The difference between Zito and Lincecum is that Zito is not a strikeout pitcher he is known for putting the ball in play where his defense has the ability to come away with making a strong play. Zito is not much of a workhorse if you compare him to Lincecum. It seems the Giants only keep Zito in the game if they have the lead and he is producing great numbers.
The Giants have to be a little disappointed with Zito’s performance since he has been acquired from the A’s, but so far this season he has come out throwing and does not look to stop anytime soon. Zito finally seems to have found his rhythm and his place with this talented young San Francisco Giants ball club.
Matt Cain is the last of this Giants pitching trio who has been above par so far with this Giants baseball team. Cain is your standard normal pitcher with a variety of pitches to confuse opposing batters. Cain was a first round pick for the Giants in 2005 and has not let this ball club down.
Cain has 2 losses with 2 wins, with an ERA of 3.38 and has produced 33 strike outs and only allowing 2 homeruns all season ( not including his start today against the Padres). Cain likes to pitch in the mid 90’s and like Zito he is not known for strikeouts, but rather known for putting the ball in play with help from his defense.
Cain has a very tall stature and brings almost that old school look to the pitching mound. He likes to pull his pant legs up where you can see his socks, and I mean not a lot of players in the league wear their uniform like that anymore. He also is very smart with ball placement, hardly giving up big plays to opposing teams.
The only thing I do not like about Cain is when he falls behind against an opponent it seems he lets it rattle him a little too much, and that is where he starts to make mistakes. He has to have faith in himself and in his defense and not let hits, RBI’s, and even homeruns get to him.
With great starters also comes great closers. And the Giants have some decent closers in their bullpen. Led by Brian Wilson and Sergio Romo these youngsters have the ability to shut out opposing teams in the 9th.
The MLB season is long and takes many turns along the way, but so far this Giants ball club has been on the right track and a big reason why, is the way their bullpen has played out so far this season.