Don't PANIK
Now that it is an odd year in terms of numbers for the San Francisco Giants, there is no way they are winning the World Series in 2017 based on history. The Giants since 2010 have been the team to beat when the year falls on an even number; 2010, 2012, 2014. Their even winning days were out-matched last year, but with their re-vamped roster and experience in the post season, I certainly would not count them out to bring the World Series back to the bay area in 2017.
The Giants star power starts with the likes of Buster Posey (2012 NL MVP, 3X World Series Champion, 4X All-Star) and Madison Bumgarner (4X All-Star, 3X World Series Champion, 2014 NLCS MVP and 2014 WS MVP). Posey has been arguably the best catcher in the Major Leagues since winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2010. Since 2010, Posey has batted over .300 in 4 of his 7 full seasons. Year in and year out he is in the discussion for MVP for his gaudy numbers at the plate, all while leading one of the better pitching staffs in the National League, with Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, and Bumgarner.
Bumgarner has been one of the most reliable and consistent pitchers in the Major Leagues over the past four years and his dominance carries well into the postseason. Bumgarner really made a name for himself in the 2014 postseason where he pitched 36.2 innings between the NLCS and the World Series, while posting a 1.72 ERA in the NLCS and a 0.43 ERA in the World Series. In both series, Bumgarner seemed to pitch every game, whether it was as a starter or a reliever. Deservingly so he won MVP for both performances, and carried the Giants to their third World Series in five years. Over the last four years, Bumgarner has been an all-star each year, while posting a 64-37 record over 130 starts, and posting a sub 3.00 ERA each season.
The Giants don't only have two all-star caliber players on their roster, they also have a good core of young players in Brandon Belt, Joe Panik, and Brandon Crawford. Johnny Cueto signed a long term deal before the 2016 season, and Jeff Samardzija joined as well to make the rotation a three headed monster. The question remains to be seen for the Giants whether Matt Cain can return to his dominant form that once was in 2012 (16-5, 2.79). At 32 years old, the veteran and once ace currently finds himself fighting for a rotation spot. Mark Melancon, who has been both a dominant reliever and closer over the last few years with both Pittsburgh and Washington (sub 2.00 ERA last three seasons, 94 saves, 130 Ks) signed a long term deal with the Giants, and looks to shut the door late in games.
The year is odd in terms of numbers, but there is nothing odd about the Giants and their World Series caliber roster. Will they break the even year curse and win their fourth World Series in the last seven years? Their pitching staff looks to carry them to the postseason and looks to have help from a formidable veteran presence in Posey, Hunter Pence, and Denard Span, as well as a great young infield in Belt, Crawford, and Panik.