San Francisco Giants: Predicting the lineup for Game 162

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – APRIL 28: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the ninth inning during game one of a doubleheader at AT&T Park on April 28, 2018 in San Francisco, California. Sandoval got the Dodgers out 1-2-3 in the inning. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Thanks for the memories, Bochy.

Get ready for the “Pablo Sandoval plays every position game” to close out the season if the Giants fall out of contention and blow it up at the deadline.

Manager Bruce Bochy had a great run and the future Hall of Famer will go out having fun just like he should. He might have done this very thing last season had the Panda not gotten injured.

In this scenario, the pitching staff held up pretty well, but the offense simply never came together.

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Madison Bumgarner is headed for free agency next offseason and is a prime trade candidate if the Giants decide to sell. Dealing him would hurt, but for the right price, it’s the right move.

Pillar could also be flipped if he continues to hit at a decent clip, and then there’s the pitching staff.

Closer Will Smith, setup man Tony Watson, former closer Sam Dyson and scrapheap find Trevor Gott will all be attractive trade chips. Meanwhile, Jeff Samardzija and Mark Melancon are both pitching well, and if the front office is willing to eat a good chunk of money, they too could be moved.

When all is said and done, the Giants are left with a deja vu of the 2018 lineup. The month of September could be a chance for the rookies to show what they can do.

That said, I still believe Bochy will start this game with his regulars, then play it like a spring training game rotating guys in and out throughout the game while Pablo Sandoval switches positions every innings.

At any rate, here’s a look at my predicted Game 162 roster if the team is out of contention:

Starting Lineup

CF Steven Duggar
2B Joe Panik
C Buster Posey
1B Brandon Belt
3B Pablo Sandoval
LF Chris Shaw
RF Mac Williamson
SS Brandon Crawford

Full Roster (Top 30 players on the expanded roster)

C: Buster Posey, Aramis Garcia
IF: Brandon Belt, Joe Panik, Brandon Crawford, Pablo Sandoval, Evan Longoria, Abiatal Avelino, Breyvic Valera, Ryan Howard
OF: Chris Shaw, Steven Duggar, Mac Williamson, Tyler Austin, Austin Slater
SP: Derek Holland, Dereck Rodriguez, Drew Pomeranz, Andrew Suarez, Shaun Anderson
RP: Tyler Beede, Logan Webb, Ty Blach, Ray Black, Melvin Adon, Sam Coonrod, Williams Jerez, Travis Bergen, Nick Vincent, Reyes Moronta

Of course, we won’t know how things turn out until several months from now.

Next. Who makes the Giants' franchise Mt. Rushmore?

It’s always fun to try to guess, though.

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