If you think getting to the World Series is becoming old hat for the San Francisco Giants, think again. Though this will mark the franchise's third trip to the Fall Classic since 2010, a changing cast of characters mixed with hungry and motivated former champions has the team and the city of San Francisco as excited as ever about reaching baseball's grand finale.
Also serving as motivation is the fact that many people had readily dismissed San Francisco as true championship contenders. Coming off a disappointing 76-win season in 2013, they were thought to be improved, but of no real concern to the Los Angeles Dodgers or other rising National League clubs. Though Los Angeles did take the division crown, the Giants set the pace most of the season. A strong start and a good finish helped them reach the NL wild card game, and then rolled over the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0 to make the tournament.
Now they're four wins away from making it three championships in five seasons. Easy math, but it won't be easy against the Kansas City Royals. Before we look to far ahead though, it's time to take a look back at the key factors that have helped San Francisco emerge from the NL heap.
The brilliance of Madison Bumgarner
With right-hander Matt Cain recovering from elbow surgery and Tim Lincecum now a non-factor after being banished to the bullpen, the continued rise of Madison Bumgarner has not only been a blessing for San Francisco, it has been a necessity. Not only is he the unquestioned ace, he's being counted on to be an anchor, and the added pressure hasn't hampered him in any way. On the heels of another excellent regular season, Bumgarner has arguably been the most effective starting pitcher in MLB during the postseason, allowing just six earned runs over 31 2/3 innings in four October starts.
The stalwarts
The Giants foundation is built on the backs of two regulars. Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval have been San Francisco's offensive cornerstones during their five-year run, and they're just as good now as ever. Posey surged into the MVP conversation during the season's final six weeks, hitting .414 with nine homers and 31 RBIs over the final 33 games. That helped San Francisco rebound from back-to-back losing months in June and July. In the postseason, Sandoval has taken the lead, hitting .325. He's reached base in all ten postseason games this season, and a Giants franchise-record 23 straight postseason games overall.
The role players
While Posey and Sandoval have remained, the cast around them is ever-changing. This season, we've seen the unexpected rise of Joe Panik, who stabilized the second-base position with Marco Scutaro injured. Veteran Gregor Blanco has performed in an expanded role with Angel Pagan sidelined. Now, there's Travis Ishikawa.
After being released by Pittsburgh in April, playing just 47 games for San Francisco during the regular season and starting only five games in the outfield during his seven-year career, Ishikawa has taken over in left field during the postseason with Michael Morse limited to pinch-hitting duties and the Giants outfield thinned. All he did was step up and hit the three-run walk-off homer that propelled them to the World Series. It takes more than 25 players to play deep in to October. The Giants success exemplifies that.
Yusmeiro Petit does it all
Bruce Bochy has always been regarded as one of the game's best managers when it comes to utilizing his bullpen pieces. It's almost unfair that he has a workhorse like Yusmeiro Petit at his disposal, who can fill numerous roles. We've seen Petit serve as a regular starter, a spot starter, a long reliever and sometimes even a late reliever this season. In August, he set the MLB record by retiring 46 straight batters. In the postseason, he's tossed nine scoreless innings while allowing only two hits.
Postseason dominance
Once the Giants get in the door, it's difficult to get them back out. With their NLCS victory, they've advanced in nine straight playoff rounds, including the NL wild card game. Only the New York Yankees from 1998-2001 have advanced in more consecutive rounds at 11. It's not that they're overpowering or intimidating. They just rarely shoot themselves in the foot, which in a short October series can be all the difference.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
- - - - - - -
Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
- Sports & Recreation
- Baseball
- San Francisco Giants
- San Francisco
- Madison Bumgarner
- Pablo Sandoval
