The Giants Understand the Playoffs

The San Francisco Giants wrapped up the 2014 NLCS series in exciting fashion on journeyman and familiar face in the organization, Travis Ishikawa's three-run home run in the bottom of the 9th inning of Game 5. Giants had the fight and drive to do all in their power and what was given to them to stay in San Francisco and finish off the series. Cardinals were a familiar opponent and both teams excel at handling tough situations. Mike Matheny, a former catcher of Bruce Bochy's San Francisco ball club, came up empty-handed once again, but both show much respect for one another. A series of fielding errors, pitching decisions, and a series-changing injury to Yadier Molina hurt the Cardinals chances for advancement to the 2014 World Series and for an anticipated Missouri World Series. Giants are a hard team to figure out who seem lately to excel in seasons where it is an even year. During the regular season, they dealt with injuries to key guys and inconsistencies from positions that needed to be addressed. Quietly, Brian Sabean made all the right moves for this team, but not in a way most fans would've directed their attention to. Opposed to making a move "just because", Brian Sabean chose to look down in the minors and pick out guys who he felt were ready to make the jump to the big leagues. Pulling out players from Richmond and Fresno with names such as: Joe Panik, Andrew Susac, Juan Perez, Matt Duffy, Hunter Strickland, Adam Duvall, and Bruce Bochy's own son, Brett. When Angel Pagan went down to back injuries, Hector Sanchez dealing with a concussion, Matt Cain having season-ending surgery, Tim Lincecum being removed from the starting rotation, and Brandon Belt's broken wrist and concussion, the Giants season looked bleak and headed south with looks of preparation for next season. Giants started the year with an impressive start, but the injuries soon took storm and left the season with questions. As a result, Sabean won the day and this team saw a spark to finish out the year and found a way to lock up a wild-card spot. Is this a sign of luck or is this done from remarkable work of the Giants front office and coaching staff? It boils down to whatever situations are handed to the Giants, they seem to find solutions to their problems and respond. It is safe to say, the San Francisco Giants aren't lucky, they just understand the playoffs. The Giants have had the likes of Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Jeff Kent, Will Clark, Matt Williams, and not once could any of them bring a World Title to San Francisco. The genius of Bruce Bochy, his staff, and the Giants front office started in 2010 with the World Series championship. Playoffs always bring out heroes, but Giants always find a way to have multiple heroes to their seasons. In 2010, Cody Ross, Tim Lincecum, Buster Posey, Edgar Renteria, Madison Bumgarner, and Juan Uribe were the key contributors to their first World Championship. When 2012 came, Angel Pagan, Marco Scutaro, Hunter Pence, Tim Lincecum (from the bullpen), Javier Lopez, Pablo Sandoval, and Brandon Belt were big parts to their second championship. In 2014, Joe Panik, Pablo Sandoval, Madison Bumgarner, Yusmiero Petit, Travis Ishikawa, Brandon Crawford, Hunter Pence, and Matt Duffy have been key contributors to the success they've earned this postseason. Giants know how to bring the best out of their players The World Series is now here and the Giants face a tough Royals team who plays with the same grit the Giants play with. The winner of this World Series will come down to experience and coaching, and that falls in the favor of the San Francisco Giants, who will look to end the mojo the Royals have created this postseason. For a team who looks to ride the regular season comfortably and make you scratch your head, when October comes around, the Giants seem to find a new identity and use it well to their advantage. Royals are a great ball club this season, but the playoffs speaks for the Giants DNA when Bruce Bochy is at the helm. The great coaches are the ones who can adjust what is thrown their way and find a way to respond, and that is Bruce Bochy. It can be called luck or skill, but as I stated earlier, the Giants understand the playoffs and know how to win.