MLB MLB PlayoffsSan Francisco Giants

Predicting the San Francisco Giants’ 25-Man Roster For 2014 MLB Playoffs

San Francisco Giants: Predicting the 25-Man Roster For 2014 MLB Playoffs

Predicting the San Francisco Giants' 25-Man Roster For 2014 MLB Playoffs
Jason O. Watson/Getty Images

The wild-card-bound San Francisco Giants have officially claimed a spot in the 2014 MLB playoffs, courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers' late-season collapse. The Giants are currently one game back of the Pittsburgh Pirates for home-field advantage, and likely need to sweep the San Diego Padres this weekend in order to avoid a cross-country road trip. Regardless, the Giants can now set their 25-man postseason roster.

Starting Rotation

Madison Bumgarner San Francisco Giants
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Rotation

Madison Bumgarner San Francisco Giants
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants will enter postseason play with a less-than-ideal situation in terms of their starting pitching. Bumgarner and Peavy are the only two concrete options manager Bruce Bochy has at his disposal. Even at that, Peavy owns a 9.27 ERA in five postseason starts without posting a win. Hudson appears gassed, whereas Vogelsong has been inconsistent. The rotation should setup like this: Bumgarner (LHP), Peavy (RHP), Vogelsong (RHP), Hudson (RHP).

Bullpen

Santiago Casilla San Francisco Giants
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Bullpen

Santiago Casilla San Francisco Giants
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants' bullpen has been an asset for most of the season, ranking fourth in all of baseball with a collective 3.02 ERA. Those numbers have tailed as of late, though, which could prompt Bochy to add Hunter Strickland to the mix. The addition of the flame-throwing righty will make the Giants' postseason bullpen appear as follows: Petit (RHP), Lincecum (RHP), Strickland (RHP), Machi (RHP), Lopez (LHP), Affeldt (LHP), Romo (RHP), Casilla (RHP).

Lineup

Buster Posey San Francisco Giants
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Lineup

Buster Posey San Francisco Giants
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants' lineup recently took a gut-punch when news broke that Pagan would miss the remainder of the season because of back surgery. Pagan's absence negatively impacts the Giants' order from top-to-bottom. Depending on whether the Giants are facing a left- or right-handed pitcher, their lineup would ideally shake-down as follows: Blanco (CF), Panik (2B), Posey (C), Sandoval (3B), Pence (RF), Morse (LF), Belt (1B), Crawford (SS).

Bench

Andrew Susac San Francisco Giants
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Bench

Andrew Susac San Francisco Giants
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco's bench will likely be the weakest unit of all postseason teams this October. The Giants will carry two rookies in addition to pinch-hitter Travis Ishikawa and utility-man Joaquin Arias. Juan Perez also figures to earn a roster spot for his pinch-running capabilities and late-inning defense. The Giants' bench will likely appear as follows: Susac (C), Ishikawa (1B), Duffy (2B), Arias (UT), Perez (OF).

Predictions

Hunter Pence San Francisco Giants
Jason O. Watson/Getty Images

Predictions

Hunter Pence San Francisco Giants
Jason O. Watson/Getty Images

The Giants were barely good enough to sneak into postseason action. After a strong push in August, the Giants are on the verge of posting a losing record in September (10-11). For the Giants to make a deep playoff push, they're going to need monster performances from Posey and Bumgarner. Even if the Giants knock off the Pirates in the NL Wild Card Game, they would be at a sizable disadvantage against the Washington Nationals in the NLDS.

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