Why San Francisco Giants will return to MLB Playoffs in 2022

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The MLB’s 2021 regular season was an unexpected delight for the San Francisco Giants as they won the league’s 107 best games. At the same time, she lost the picture-perfect regular season to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

With a 2-1 lead in a matchup that struggled to make runs, the Giants couldn’t carry their regular season swing into the postseason. Where do you go from here?

The memory of the defeat to the rival Dodgers will sting the Giants’ believers for the ages. On the other hand, the team has a foundation that should hold them in the NL pennant race for the foreseeable future. Because of this, the Giants are returning to the MLB playoffs in 2022.

The starting shot is the foundation of the San Francisco Giants

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The standout part of the 2021 Giants was their starting rotation, which dazzled from start to finish.

Manager Gabe Kapler had an alleged provisional rotation as many of the team’s starters had previously struggled to stay on the team and / or were inconsistent. On the contrary, Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani and Logan Webb led an elite rotation this season.

• Kevin Gausman stats (2021): 2.81 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 0.210 batting average opponents, and 227 strikeouts over 192.0 innings (33 starts)

Gausman was one of the best throwers in the MLB. He logged high-rate strikeouts, plunged deep into the games and established himself as the team’s ace, picking up where he left off after an encouraging 2020 season. For most of the season, DeSclafani did an excellent job keeping runners off the ground trails and creating weak contact with his off-speed pitches. The right-handed man got an excellent 3.17 ERA.

Webb had a breakout season on the hill that was highlighted by a 3.03 era. He dragged bats, was efficient and came to his strengths as a power pitcher. Webb was money in the postseason as he only gave up a 14.2 innings (two starts) run against the Dodgers.

These pitchers can only get better, and they now have invaluable postseason experience. Meanwhile, veterans Alex Wood and Johnny Cueto were sturdy contraptions working out of trouble and complimenting the budding arms mentioned above. This combination works for the Giants moving forward.

San Francisco Giants have a well-rounded offensive

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Yes, the Giants only got 10 runs in the NLDS. However, her offensive in the regular season was a well-oiled machine and can build on the success of 2021. San Francisco finished the regular season second in the MLB in home runs (241), fourth in OPS (0.769), sixth in runs (804) and hits (1,360), and seventh in the batting average (.249 ).

Now Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, and Brandon Belt had all-star seasons. It is unrealistic to expect all three of them to repeat their individual successes as their production in 2021 goes against career trends.

Posey’s batting average gradually declined over the course of the year. Crawford had by far the best season of his MLB career on the record. Belt was usually a respectable hitter, but not someone who knocked on the door of 30 home runs in a single season. Let’s say one of the three repeats their exploits in 2021, another takes a step back, and the other is having a tough season: the Giants should still have a top 10 offensive.

San Francisco’s veterans may step back in production because the team’s outfield, which was once the best the franchise had for itself, is capable of better performance. Mike Yastrzemski strikes clearly and is an electric hitter from the left. Alex Dickerson and Austin Slater are a year away from posting individual OPS above 0.900.

Additionally, the San Francisco Giants’ position depth map is still in shape when Kris Bryant and Donovan Solano leave the Bay Area freehand. LaMonte Wade Jr. and Darin Ruf are threats to power and versatile field players. Wilmer Flores, Mauricio Dubon and Thairo Estrada often bring the ball into play.

San Francisco Giants have a playoff squad

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In all likelihood, the Giants won’t win 107 games or crack 100 wins next season. You may not even win the NL West as the Dodgers continue to dominate and the San Diego Padres have the talent to win the World Series; You’re a mystery, but one that can compete for the pennant if they get back on track.

At the end of the day, however, the Padres were 28 games worse than the Giants, and the latter lost a grueling streak to a team they knew well at the Dodgers; San Francisco can beat anyone in the NL. The ups and downs of NL Central and the inability of NL East further increase the Giants’ chances of hitting at least one of the two NL Wild Card seeds.

Kapler and friends have a balanced offensive that is accompanied by a dynamite rotation and a deep bullpen with a mix of proven and evolving weapons. This aspect of their ball club was also one of the sport’s elite units. In short, the Giants are basically good at all aspects of the game (hitting, fielding, pitching, and bullpening).

Nothing can be taken for granted, but the Giants are a surefire way to return to the playoffs. You have some margin for error and a team built for October.