Giant Concerns

Giants rookie manager Keith MacDonald will have to figure out how to beat the arch rival Dodgers.  The classic rivalry that has stretched across a whole century and 3,000 miles will once again renew itself in KOD.  Before awarding the NL pennant to the Boys of Summer one needs to take a close look at the potent lineup the boys from Candlestick and Coogan’s bluff poses.  Start right at the top with Willie Mays, who is arguably the greatest 5 tool player to lace up a pair of spikes.  Pitching around the “Say Hey Kid” means you’re choosing the poison in the form of Cepeda, McCovey and Thomson.  Good luck with that.  The Jints come up a bit short in their middle infield and lack of tablesetters.  A lot will be expected from Tito Fuentes, Robby Thompson and Alvin Dark.  If they have breakout seasons the Giants will haunt the Dodgers all year.  Pitching, while not on the same par as Brooklyn/LA, is still really good.  The high kicking “Dominican Dandy”, Juan Marichal is the unchallenged ace.  Gaylord Perry and Sal “the barber” Maglie will back him up in the rotation.  Larry Jansen, Marv Grissom and Jim Barr will vie for the final 3 slots.  The pen will start and stop with HOF’er Hoyt Wilhelm, who’s knuckleball needs to flutter at all the right times to close out games.