We can now consider that the Giants have created a ‘Dynasty’ over the last 5 years. This will be their third trip to the World Series in the last five years. Over those five years, the Giants haven’t changed much about their type of baseball. They usually have a great starting rotation, bullpen well enough to guide them over to their very strong closer. Each appearance, they have had a different ace, Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and now Madison Bumgarner. San Fran has always been known to have one of the best aces in all of baseball, and this season it happens to be the young 25 year old lefty people like to call MadBum. Bumgarner had a great 2014 campaign, ending the season at 18-10 and collected 217 strikeouts. But MadBum isn’t the only X-Factor on this ball club to help them compete for yet another championship. I will point out X-Factors for the starting lineup, starting rotation, and also the bullpen. Whom would you pick to be your X-Factors for the Giants?
X-Factor on Offense
Pence is one of the strangest players to ever play in the MLB. He throws unlike anyone else, he swings rather weirdly, his warm-up swings will make people scratch their head, but it simply works for him! No one can ever question his ability to play the game nor question his passion of playing. Pence is the jack of all trades out on the baseball diamond, he can hit for average and power, he has great speed, and plays stellar defense out in right field. If the Giants can get runners on in front of Pence, then the Royals can be in trouble with his ability to drive the ball into the gap or over the fence!
X-Factor for Bullpen
Petit is one of those rare players that is a relief pitcher with starter qualities. He is able to be called upon on short notice to start a game if a starting pitcher is a late scratch and be very effective at it. I have him as an X-Factor simply based off of that ability. If one of the starters gets rocked early in the 1st, Petit is able to jump right onto the mound and carry the team into the 9th with a lead, that’s how great of a pitcher he is. He has been able to dominate any team that he faces during his short stints as a starter this season. So look for him to start any game in the series if needed or pitch in long relief to help ease the pain of what his fellow starter did.
X-Factor for Starting Rotation
During the beginning of the 2014 season, Hudson was looking like the Hudson of old. He was dominating his opponents with ground ball outs and keeping his pitch count down, allowing him to pitch deep into games. If he is able to do that against the speedy Royals, then that will be able to get him out of jams and not allow them to beat the Giants with their legs. Hudson is the 2nd best pitcher in this staff behind Bumgarner, but he is also the most seasoned. He has pitched in big games during his career and should be able to slow the game down to his tempo and allow the Giants to compete for a win.
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