One should consider how high Matt Cain wears his leggingsThe Texas Rangers had the opportunity to face either the San Francisco Giants or the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.
On Saturday, the Giants dispensed with the Phillies in the sixth game clinching their second trip to the Series in a decade.
There's much debate as to who the better option would be for a Rangers world championship. Honestly, the Giants scare the bejesus out of me.
Why? Because championships in professional baseball are won with pitching, defense and timely hitting. The Rangers do all three really well, as it's been evidenced the last two weeks.
The Giants do it really well, too. In fact, you might consider that the Giants did it better. Or you might also surmise that the Giants are the Rangers.
Exhibit A
The Rangers and Giants were considered upstarts (for different reasons) in their division, yet were widely not considered major factors. Neither were overwhelming picks to win their division despite solid, young line-ups and projected good pitching (although San Fran had the clear edge in this spot).
Exhibit B
The Rangers entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed with a 90-72 record. The Giants entered the playoffs the No. 2 seed with a 92-70 record.
Exhibit C
The Rangers defeated the No. 1 (Rays) and No. 4 (Yankees) seeds, including last year's World Series representative in the ALCS. The Giants defeated the No. 1 (Phillies) and No. 4 (Braves) seed, including last year's World Series representative in the NLCS.
Exhibit D
The Rangers team ERA in the 2010 playoffs: 2.40. The Giants team ERA in the 2010 playoffs: 2.47.
Exhibit E
The Rangers have hit .273 with 16 home runs in the playoffs, so far. The Giants, however, have hit .231 as a team with just six home runs (four of which are from Cody Ross).
So, the difference is that the Giants have hit the ball far worse from the Rangers despite winning as many games in less opportunities (the Giants beat the Braves in the ALDS in four games).
If the pitching, defense and competition has been the same, the only difference is that the Giants have hit worse, but played arguably better.
Saying, their hits have been more opportunistic and impactful to the game. The Rangers running up the score against New York blurs their total impact. Although, beat the shit out of the Yankees was highly enjoyable.
That's scary. That the Giants have been just as good without the gaudy offensive numbers.
The Giants could be represented as a team of destiny as much as the Rangers. And I think they have the best top three pitchers from stem to stern in the Majors (Tim Lincecum, Jon Sanchez and Matt Cain). Pitching wins championships.
Although I fear the Giants, I probably equally didn't fear the Phillies.
The Phils had played sloppy ball all year. Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins hadn't been right. Raul Ibanez hasn't been as good and their starting pitching and bullpen have been so-so outside of Roy Halliday all season. How good are they? Despite not having a bullpen and sub-par offensive years, they won 97 games.
The sloppy play translated to the playoffs. They swept the Reds, but against the Giants it was a series of follies and poor fundamentals that sunk them time and again. They didn't seem too focused, which would've been advantageous for the Rangers.
Another smart argument for against the Phillies is their pitching. Over the past three months, Roy Halliday and Roy Oswalt have been great. Cole Hamels as your No. 3 rounds up a salty trio of hurlers.
However, the Rangers have historically hit Halliday and Oswalt very well. In fact:
Halliday Against Rangers, Career
7-7 -- 5.36 ERA
Oswalt Against Rangers, Career
4-6 -- 4.54 ERA
That is unscary. Now, the Rangers must face three young arms in Lincecum, Cain and Sanchez, the latter being a lefty that's had his ups and downs this post-season, but also led the Giants with a 3.07 ERA in the regular season.
The Rangers have just seen Cain once, and he went eight innings allowing one run. Plus, the Giants' bullpen is significantly better than the Phillies'.
The Rangers might win the World Series, but I don't think it's a lock that the Giants would be the easiest opponent. The Giants are playing with as much house money as the Rangers. Ignorance is bliss.
