The biggest surprise of the season was the pitching staff. From the get-go they were among the best in the league at suppressing runs, specifically limiting walks and homers, and continued to pitch well until the final game. They allowed 18 runs in the five-game LDS and threw two shutouts against a Dodgers team that led the NL in offense (and were fourth in runs scored behind three AL teams, the Astros, Rays, and Jays).
How did that happen? Let's start with the bullpen. Here are the top six relievers by IP this season with their ERAs: Tyler Rogers (81, 2.22), Jarlin Garcia (68-2/3, 2.62), Jose Alvarez (64-2/3, 2.37), Zack Littel (61-2/3, 2.92), Jake McGee (59-2/3, 2.72), and Dominic Leone (53-2/3, 1.51). All of those ERAs rate 150 ERA+ and higher meaning they are 50% better than league average. All the FIPs are correspondingly good (3.28, 3.77, 3.15, 3.87, 3.35, and 3.08) so you know that the numbers aren't too fluky. They threw strikes and mostly kept the ball in the yard. I have to add wunderkind Camilo Doval's 27 IP, 3.00 ERA, and 3.47 FIP. When everyone else was faltering he went un-scored upon in September and literally saved the season. Although other relievers logged more innings (Tony Watson, Caleb Baragar, Jay Jackson, Matt Wisler, John Brebbia, Conner Menez), the 13-1/3 delivered by young Kervin Castro (one unearned run, 2.12 FIP) got him a spot on the post-season roster and he saw action in two games.
The construction and emergence of the bullpen was a vindication of the infamous "churn" so beloved by our owlish and genial PoBO Farhan Zaidi. He and and his loyal lieutenant Scott Harris and their staff made sure there was a continuous stockpile of major league-ready ballplayers to be called upon. And called upon they were!
The starters obviously shone this season as well. The Giants almost pulled off a five-man rotation at one point, looking very old-school, but fatigue and injuries took their toll. It's amazing the club went 21-6 in September! The front five accounted for 137 starts. Aaron Sanchez, Sammy Long, and Scott Kazmir added 16 more and the rest were bullpen/opener games.
Giving Kevin Gausman a QO at the end of last season paid off handsomely. He was a top-tier pitcher this season and stayed healthy enough for 192 IP (6th-best in MLB). I expect they will offer him a deal this winter. Another free agent that really delivered, especially in the first half, was Anthony DeSclafani. Unfortunately his troubles against LA and in the LDS really hurt his stock. I could see them re-signing him but they won't have the same enthusiasm they did earlier. Alex Wood however made a case to stick around, mostly because he's a lefty and could perhaps relieve as well as start, sort of like Julio Urias. Johnny Cueto had a brief resurgence and started 21 games but couldn't stay healthy and did not make the post-season cut. I assume they'll buy him out. Alas, that's the last we'll see of that wonderfully entertaining performer.
Logan Webb was the story of the year, of course. The 24-year old put himself on the national radar with two brilliant efforts against the Dodgers in the playoffs. That only confirmed what Giants fans had just discovered--that he was an ace. You have to be excited about seeing him pitch next season. It's also another reason to re-sign Gausman as having that co-ace tandem at the top of the rotation is tough on other teams!
FanGraphs rated the San Francisco staff 5th in WAR (21.9) behind the White Sox, Dodgers, Brewers, and Yankees. They rated second in FIP (3.55) to LA (3.54). B-R gave them a 127 ERA+, again second only to LA's 136. For more conventional statistics they had the second-lowest WHIP (1.148, LA led MLB with 1.097). The Giants allowed the fewest homers (151) and the fewest walks (146). They had 18 shutouts, second to Atlanta and Milwaukee with 19. They had, like the Dodgers, a league-leading 56 saves.
--M.C.
3 comments:
Allowing fewest homers and fewest walks explains a ton.
Yes. And Kap specifically talked about those things when he first arrived. He made clear he wanted pitchers who attacked the zone. Giants were really good at getting the first strike. They led the league in 0-1 counts!
And of course the two shutouts against the Dodgers in the LDS brought the team total to 20. The Braves threw two against the Brewers so they have 20 in total as well.
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