2016 NLDS Preview: Giants vs Cubs
This series has the potential of being a really good and exciting series. I would have predicted this as my NLCS matchup, but obviously that didnt turn out that way. However, with how good the Giants are in the playoffs and their pitching up against this Cubs team, this could be so much fun to watch as they both matchup extremely well. Lets take a look at each team.
Cubs
Pitchers
Jake Arrieta
Aroldis Chapman
Carl Edwards Jr.
Justin Grimm
Kyle Hendricks
John Lackey
Jon Lester
Mike Montgomery
Hector Rondon
Pedro Strop
Travis Wood
This pitching staff is sneaky good and only got stronger as the season went on. Wood, Strop, Rondon, Montgomery, and Grimm have all been rock solid and with converted starter, Carl Edwards Jr. and Aroldis Chapman, its scary good. Chapman throws absolute gas and is probably one of the best relievers in the game. The rotation is pretty good as you have Lester who is having a Cy Young caliber year, Hendricks having a breakout season, Lackey a proven postseason competitor, and, despite a down year, a fantastic pitcher in Arrieta. Their pitching was ranked first in the National League, so the Giants batters will have issues.
Catchers
Willson Contreras
Miguel Montero
David Ross
Manager Joe Maddon seems to like to use three catchers. Contreras is probably their best catcher, but he also can play the field. Montero provides some pop off the bench and Ross, who is retiring, is a proven leader and great clubhouse guy.
Infielders
Javier Baez
Kris Bryant
Tommy La Stella
Anthony Rizzo
Addison Russell
Ben Zobrist
The infield is very talented. You have Bryant and Rizzo who are MVP candidates, Russell who has power, Baez who is a five-tool player, and Zobrist who is a proven veteran. La Stella is their best left handed bat off the bench.
Outfielders
Albert Almora Jr.
Chris Coghlan
Dexter Fowler
Jason Heyward
Jorge Soler
Almora was a surprise in getting the nod over Matt Szczur, but Almora is a better defender and has been hitting well of late. Coghlan is a utility player, but also a solid bat off the bench. Fowler had an awesome season this year as he really paced the offense from the leadoff spot. Heyward was disappointing in 2016, but its the playoffs, anything can happen. Soler will get some starts, but most likely will be some thump off the bench.
The Cubs were the best team in the league as they won 103 games. You have to respect that. They have flair, talent, and they have fun out there. They are a really freaking good team. Their defense is outstanding as well. They hit .225 against the Giants in 2016, but their ERA was 1.94. Thats pretty freaking good. The expectations will be there, but that doesnt seem to bother them.
Pitchers
Ty Blach
Madison Bumgarner
Santiago Casilla
Johnny Cueto
George Kontos
Derek Law
Javier Lopez
Matt Moore
Sergio Romo
Jeff Samardzija
Will Smith
Hunter Strickland
The Giants will be hoping to use as little of their bullpen as possible as their relievers have been just mediocre of late. Casilla, Romo, and Kontos are usually very good and reliable, but they have not pitched nearly as well of late. Lopez is a left handed specialist, but he will probably have to pitch a bit longer than usual. Smith was brought in to strengthen the bullpen, but he has been a disappointment. Strickland is a flamethrower so he will come in late in the game. Blach has been really good of late so he definitely gives Bochy more options to use late in the game. Law has been reliable this year. However, the starters are awesome and should be able to give the Cubs some fits. Samardzija has been a very good number three pitcher in the rotation even though he is really a two and Cueto is an ace like pitcher pitching in the number two spot. Moore was picked up midseason and gives the Giants another qualtity starter. Bumgarner is just flat out dominant in the postseason as he is a Cy Young caliber type of pitcher. Along with setting a single-season record in franchise history for strikeouts by a left hander with 251, this guy is that one guy who you really want if you fall back in the series. Plus the guy can flat out hit. He only makes the Giants lineup better with his bat as he always is a threat to take you deep.
Catchers
Buster Posey
Trevor Brown
Posey is one of the best catchers in the game is always a perennial MVP type of player. Brown will be his backup just in case anything will be needed
Infielders
Brandon Belt
Brandon Crawford
Conor Gillaspie
Eduardo Nunez
Joe Panik
Kelby Tomlinson
Nunez has been a great addition since coming over as he has brought some stability. Belt is a very underrated player who has power and plays great defense. Crawford is slowly rising up to be one of the best shortstops in the game. His bat has gotten to be really good and is a top notch defender. Gillaspie is a solid hitter like how he hit that home run in the Wild Card game, however, his defense is a question mark. Panik is a good player who has a nice bat and plays a solid second base. Tomlinson is a versatile player that will possibly help in a defensive situation.
Outfielders
Gregor Blanco
Gorkys Hernandez
Angel Pagan
Hunter Pence
Denard Span
Blanco is a great defensive player, but has been a nice leadoff hitter. Hernandez is likely to come off the bench in defensive spots. Pagan finally will be healthy for the postseason and could be an x-factor in this game. Pence is a grinder and plays the game hard. He’s a very good player and a veteran guy, he is a true leader that makes any team better. Span is a speedy player who has a good bat and also is a solid defender.
Coming into the season the Giants were thought to be the best chance of derailing any chances of the Cubs reaching the World Series. At the All-Star break they had a 57-33 record, best in the National League and it looked like they were playing up to their potential or were even better than expected. Then the second half was where things went wrong going 30-42. They had one of the worst records in the second half. However, if they play up to their potential, the Giants could ruin many parties and go on another run for their fourth world championship in seven seasons. They really matchup well against the Cubs with their pitching. It is an even year after.
Prediction
So, this series is actually harder to predict than some may think, but honestly, for me, I think I have a pretty good idea as to who is going to win. Giants might be battle tested, have momentum, more rhythm since the Cubs haven’t played since Sunday, but you cannot deny the talents, 103 win season, and the how prepared Joe Maddon is, I have to go with the Cubs in this series.
