San Francisco Giants Spring Training Previews: Starting Pitchers

It is clear that while the San Francisco Giants don’t have the most solid rotation they’ve ever had headed into Spring Training, at least they have a number of options.

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If the regular season started tomorrow, I’d have Bumgarner, Cueto, Samrdzija, Stratton, and Blach comprise the rotation. I’d also have Beede in the bullpen in a long relief role as a sort of safety net if Stratton or Blach get roughed up early in outings.

Of course, there’s still a whole month of meaningless baseball to be played before the regular season starts. This month can include surprises, injuries, poor performances, ‘best shape of life’ Cinderella stories, and the rest.

Who knows, maybe the Giants are even able to convince Tim Lincecum to come back on a minor-league deal just to add a little more zest to this battle for the final spot in the rotation. However it all shakes out, it’ll be a little strange as this will likely be the first season since I think 2006 that neither Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum will be in the Giants’ starting rotation to start the year.

Next: Don't freak out if Lincecum signs with the Dodgers

How the time has flown by. Alas, we all get older and we all have to move on. In a perfect world, all five starters (whoever they may be) will have winning records, ERA’s under 4, and throw over 200 innings. As last year proved(in ways that go well beyond baseball), we don’t live in a perfect world. Expect trials, tribulations, successes, disappointments and everything in between from the starting staff this year. But never forget to hope for the best.