Vogelsong & Giants look to extend lead in West

While the rest of the National League West is floundering, the reigning World Series Champion San Francisco Giants are moving forward at a steady pace. At 14 games over .500 as of Sunday, the Giants have moved to 3.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamond Backs, and 9.5 games or more over the rest of the division. Unlike the American League West in which the one offensive team in the league (Texas Rangers) is leading the pack, it’s the dominant pitching of the Giants that keep them on top in the N.L. West.

A team earned run average of 3.20 is currently ranked 4th in all of baseball, and is the reason why baseball handicappers picked San Francisco to win the division. As phenomenal as their pitching staff has been this year, they still haven’t pitched up to their potential. Tim Lincecum is having another Cy Young caliber season despite having a record or just 8-7. His earned run average have finally dipped below 3.00 after a 6 inning performance against San Diego in which he allowed just 3 hits and 1 run while striking out 7. He is capable of shutting down offenses every time he takes the field, and is the Ace of a pitching staff that doesn’t have a single starter with an ERA over 3.81.

One of the biggest surprises for the Giants in 2011 has been the miraculous season being put together by Ryan Vogelsong. Vogelsong has had a tough career as he needed Tommy John surgery less than a year after his Major League debut. The setback kept him out of baseball for 2 years, but he came back with the Pittsburgh Pirates unsuccessfully. A three year stint in the Japanese baseball league has apparently paid huge dividends as Vogelsong is putting together the best season of his career. A minuscule 2.17 earned run average and 6-1 record have made him an important part of the Giants rotation this year. Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Jonathan Sanchez round out the starting staff, and are the sole reason that the Giants continue to stay in front in the West.

One of the teams looking up at the World Champs is the Los Angeles Dodgers. In terms of what MLB predictions had anticipated prior to the start of the season, the Dodgers are one of the most disappointing teams in baseball. At 42-53 the Dodgers are 12.5 games behind the Giants and in 4th place in the division. It’s been a combination of pitching and hitting that has held this team back in 2011. They have a few solid starters, but the drop off after that has been too hard to overcome.

Clayton Kershaw is one of the top pitchers in the league, and is doing more than his share to keep this team afloat. Unfortunately, the Dodgers have just 3 starters that have been reliable all season long. With all of the turmoil surrounding the owner Frank McCourt it looks like the Dodgers will be sellers prior to the trade deadline, which all but ends their chances of competing for the remainder of the season.

Monday starts a 3-game series between these teams. The Giants are obviously looking to increase their lead in the division, while the Dodgers are looking to finish the season strong. Tune in as Vogelsong takes on Chad Billingsley in what should be a typical National League West pitching duel.

 

Related posts:

1. Vogelsong vs. Marquis in N.L. West Showdown
2. Cincinnati Reds Look to Extend Lead in National League Central
3. Giants look to get it going against Pittsburgh
4. Reds and Giants Fight for Position in N.L. Playoffs
5. Bobcats look to extend MAC lead vs. Falcons

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