Fansided
Around The Foghorn
Home/SF Giants News

San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Position-by-Position Breakdown

By Jake Mastroianni
Sep 30, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) head first slide safely into home against San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) head first slide safely into home against San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Mar 25, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws in the sixth inning during a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) throws in the sixth inning during a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Bullpen

More from Around the Foghorn

If you’be been keeping count, the Giants are up 4-3 after the first seven categories. The bullpen could be deciding factor between these two teams.

If we look at stats from 2016 again, the Dodgers had the best bullpen in the National League with a 3.35 ERA. Meanwhile, the Giants were ninth with a 3.65 ERA.

Obviously the Giants have tried their best to improve that area this offseason. They acquired Mark Melancon to become their closer.  But I’m not sure they did enough to surpass the Dodgers.

Los Angeles also forked out some big bucks this offseason to secure their closer role. They resigned Kenley Jansen for 5 years and $80 million.

I think the guys behind each teams respective closer is pretty similar. However, I have to give the edge to the Dodgers in this category.

The Dodgers bullpen won’t be as good this year as it was last year, but I’m not sure the Giants did enough to catch them.

Advantage: Dodgers

Oct 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (right) celebrates with catcher Buster Posey (28) after scoring a run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the 7th inning in game two of the 2014 NLCS playoff baseball game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (right) celebrates with catcher Buster Posey (28) after scoring a run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the 7th inning in game two of the 2014 NLCS playoff baseball game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Overall 

So after looking at eight different position categories, we have a 4-4 tie. We all know there can’t be ties in baseball, so I give the Giants the overall advantage because they have the advantage in all three outfield positions.

After looking at each position category it’s really interesting to see how closely matched these two teams are.

The only obvious choice was at catcher, and it’s hard to compete with Buster Posey.

Next: San Francisco Giants 2017 Preview of NL West Opponents: The Dodgers

This will another great battle in the NL West this year, and I can’t wait to see the Giants come out on top this time.

facebooktwitterreddit