Jonathan Sanchez got rocked last night and it was too much for the Giants to overcome. He worked the first 4 2/3 innings for the Giants last night and he gave up 6 hits, 4 earned runs while walking 3 batters and whiffing 3 to earn the loss. Guillermo Mota, Jeremy Affeldt and Ramon Ramirez worked a combined 3 1/3 innings of shutout ball to keep this game close. Andres Torres (1 for 4) and Cody Ross (1 for 3) each had a solo homer to lead the way for the Giants last night offensively. Buster Posey (1 for 3), Aubrey Huff (1 for 3) and Freddy Sanchez (1 for 4) was the rest of the offense for the Giants last night. The Giants are still up 2-1 in this series with Game #4 tonight in Texas.

The Giants jumped the Rangers’ bullpen for 7 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to blow this game open. The real star of this game for the Giants was starting pitcher Matt Cain who threw 7 2/3 shutout innings allowing only 4 hits while walking 2 and whiffing 2. He earned the win for the Giants. Javier Lopez and Guillermo Mota combined to throw 1 1/3 scoreless innings to preserve the shutout for the Giants last night. Edgar Renteria led the way for the Giants as he was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, a homer and 3 RBIs. Cody Ross continues to shine in the post season for the Giants as he was 1 for 2 with 2 runs scored, 2 walks and a double. Juan Uribe had another solid game last night as he was 1 for 3 with 1 run scored and 2 RBIs. Aaron Rowand got a pinch hit 2-run triple in the Giants’ big bottom of the 8th inning. The Giants are now up 2-0 in this series as he heads to the heart of Texas for tomorrow’s Game #3.

The Giants jumped all over Cliff Lee in this game and the pitching staff made it stand up. Freddy Sanchez was outstanding for the Giants last night as he led the way by going 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored, 3 doubles and 3 RBIs. Aubrey Huff also had a outstanding game for the Giants as he was 3 for 4 with 1 run scored, 1 double and 1 RBI. Juan Uribe was only 1 for 4 but that hit was a big one. It was a 3-run homer off Rangers’ reliever Darren O’Day in the Giants’ six run 5th inning. Edgar Renteria pitched in offensively for the Giants too as he was 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Tim Lincecum had a rough start but he was still the winning pitcher by working 5 2/3 innings in which he gave up 8 hits and 4 runs (all earned). The Giants then used five relievers to get the ball to closer Brian Wilson work got the last two outs while giving up 1 hit and 0 runs. The Giants are now up 1-0 in this series.

This is the first time the Texas Rangers have ever been to the World Series. The Giants last appeared in the World Series in 2002 and they have not won a World Series ever in San Francisco (52nd year in 2010). So one city will have a parade for a World Series Champion that has never had one, so the fans at these games will likely be something to behold. Here is a look at the matchups in this series:

CATCHER: Bengie Molina knows both pitching staffs better than anyone else as he will get a World Series Ring no matter which team wins this series. He played for both the Giants & Rangers this year. Molina has stepped up in the post season as usual, for the Rangers. Molina has played in 9 games this post season and he is 10 for 30 (.333 avg, .922 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 2 homers, 7 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

Rookie Buster Posey pushed Molina out the door in San Francisco. He is a really solid all around catcher but his bat is what the Giants need to be hot to win this series. Posey has played in 10 games during the playoffs so far this year and he is 11 for 39 (.282 avg, .723 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 0 homers, 3 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR GIANTS

FIRST BASE: Rookie Mitch Moreland has taken over as the Rangers’ starting 1B in the playoffs and he’s done a solid job for them so far. He has played in 10 games in the playoffs and he is 10 for 33 (.303 avg, .737 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 0 homers and 4 RBIs. Moreland has more power than he has shown in the playoffs so don’t be surprised if he whacks a homer or two in this series.

Aubrey Huff is a solid lefty swinging power bat for the Giants and they need him to pick it up in this series. Huff has played in 10 games in the playoffs so far and he is 10 for 39 (.256 avg, .582 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 0 homers and 4 RBIs. I look for him to have a good series.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR GIANTS

SECOND BASE: Ian Kinsler is one of the best all around second basemen in all of baseball and he’s shining on the big stage. Kinsler has played in 11 games in the playoffs so far and he is 13 of 38 (.342 avg, 1.067 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 3 homers, 9 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Look for him to continue to excel in this series.

Freddy Sanchez is a solid player. The Giants hope he can get on base a lot in this series to set things up for the bigger bats behind him. Sanchez has played in 10 games during the post season this year and he is 11 for 41 (.268 avg, .595 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 1 RBI.

EDGE: HUGE FOR RANGERS

SHORTSTOP: Elvis Andrus is a outstanding defensive player and he is the guy who gets things started at the top of the lineup for the Rangers. Andrus played in 11 games for the Rangers in the playoffs so far and he is 17 of 51 (.333 avg, .751 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 3 RBIs and 7 stolen bases.

Juan Uribe has had issues with his wrist this post season but he almost always seems to get the big hit for the Giants despite not putting up good overall numers. Uribe has played in 9 games so far this post season and he is 4 for 28 (.143 avg, .444 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. Expect him to do better in this series.

EDGE: RANGERS

THIRD BASE: Michael Young has waited a long time to get into the playoffs and he has been making up for lost time. Young has played in 11 games during the playoffs and he is 12 for 47 (.255 avg, .654 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 7 RBIs.

Third base has been a revolving door for the Giants in the playoffs. Pablo Sandoval is the most likely guy to get the most P.T. for the Giants at 3B in this series. Sandoval has played in 5 games in the playoffs so far and he is 3 for 14 (.214 avg, .598 OPS) with 2 RBIs. He is better than he has shown in the playoffs and the Giants need him to step up.

EDGE: RANGERS

LEFT FIELD: The Rangers are going to use Valdimir Guerrero in RF for a couple of games in N.L. parks in which Nelson Cruz will play in LF. David Murphy will probably get the bulk of the starts in LF in this series. Murphy played in 8 games in the playoffs so far and he is 4 of 20 (.200 avg, .733 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. He is a solid player.

Pat Burrell has been a big key for the Giants this year but he is slumping a little bit in the playoffs. Burrell has played in 10 games for the Giants in the playoffs so far and he is 6 for 29 (.207 avg, .737 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. The Giants need Burrell to get back on track with the bat.

EDGE: EVEN

CENTER FIELD: Josh Hamilton is by far the best player on either team in this series. He won the A.L.C.S. MVP by sticking it to the New York Yankees who were scared to pitch to him. Hamilton has played in 11 games in the playoffs so far and he is 9 for 38 (.237 avg, .975 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 4 homers, 8 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Hamilton is also a really good defensive CF so he is going to make huge impact in this series.

Andres Torres is one of the big reasons the Giants are where they are right now. He has played in 10 games for the Giants in the playoffs so far and he is 9 for 36 (.250 avg, .558 OPS) with 2 runs scored. Torres is only 1 for 4 on stolen bases though.

EDGE: GIGANTIC FOR THE RANGERS

RIGHT FIELD: Nelson Cruz has been a impact player for the Rangers the last couple of years and he is taking his game to a new level in the post season. Cruz has played in 11 games in the post season so far and he is 15 of 40 (.375 avg, 1.294 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 5 homers, 8 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

Cody Ross was the MVP of the N.L.C.S. for the Giants and he has been outstanding since the day he got to San Fran. Ross has played in 10 games for the Giants in the post season and he is 11 for 34 (.324 avg, 1.189 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 4 homers and 8 RBIs.

EDGE: RANGERS

DESIGNATED HITTER: Vladimir Guerrero is a joy to watch because he swings at everything often with stunning results. He has played in 11 games in the playoffs so far and he is 12 of 45 (.267 avg, .616 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 4 RBIs. I have a feeling that if the Giants pitch around Hamilton, Guerrero is going to make them pay for it.

Edgar Renteria will probably play shortstop with Uribe sliding over to 3B and Pablo Sandoval likely DHing when the series shifts to Texas. Renteria has played in 6 games for the Giants in the playoffs and he is 3 for 18 (.167 avg, .377 OPS) with 1 run scored.

EDGE: HUGE FOR THE RANGERS

BENCH: The Rangers have not used the bench much in the playoffs. I expect that outfielder Jeff Francouer will be the most used bench player in this series for the Rangers. He has played in 6 games this post season and he is 3 for 18 (.167 avg, .389 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Outfield Julio Borbon will also likely get a lot of P.T. as a late inning defensive replacement or as a pinch runner. Borbon has played in 6 games during the playoffs and he is 0 for 7 (.000 avg., .000 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 3 whiffs. Veteran catcher Matt Treanor will likely get a start or two in this series. He has played in 3 games in the playoffs so far and he is 2 for 7 (.286 avg, 1.260 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. 1B/3B Jorge Cantu has been awful so far in the playoffs so I don’t see him getting much P.T. in this series. Cantu played in 2 games for the Rangers in the playoffs and he is 0 for 7 with 3 whiffs. Backup infielder Andres Blanco hasn’t gotten on the field in the playoffs and he won’t unless the Rangers suffer some injuries.

The Giants need the bench to start stepping up as they have not added much punch to the Giants offensively. Outfielder Aaron Rowand lost his starting job but he has played decent during the playoffs. Rowand has played in 5 games in the playoffs so far and he is 2 for 7 (.286 avg, .714 OPS) with 1 run scored. Infielder Mike Fontenot will likely get to play 3B at least once or twice in this series. Fontenot has played in 7 games in the playoffs so far and he is 3 for 14 (.214 avg, .624 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 stolen base. Edgar Renteria is also likely going to get some P.T. at shortstop in this series. 1B Travis Ishikawa has been just pretty much pinch hitting in the playoffs so far and being used as a defensive replacement late in games at 1B. I don’t see his role changing in this series. Ishikawa has played in 8 games in the playoffs so far and he is 1 for 6 (.167 avg, .542 OPS) with 1 run scored. Outfielder Nate Schierholtz will have the same roles as Ishikawa in the World Series. He has played in 8 games in the playoffs so far and he is 1 for 7 (.143 avg, .286 OPS) with 1 run scored. Backup catcher Eli Whiteside won’t get on the field unless there is a injury to Molina.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR THE GIANTS

STARTING PITCHING: Lefty Cliff Lee has been exactly what the Rangers thought he would be in the post season. Lee has started 3 games for the Rangers in the playoffs and he is 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA and a 0.58 WHIP. Lee has only given up 13 hits and walked 1 batter in 24 innings while whiffing 35 batters showing just how awesome he has been. Righty Colby Lewis has also been outstanding in the playoffs so far. He has started 3 games for the Rangers during the playoffs and he is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Lefty C.J. Wilson has pitched good in 2 out of his 3 starts so far this post season. Wilson has started 3 games for the Rangers so far in the playoffs and he is 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Righty Tommy Hunter has not pitched well at all for the Rangers in the playoffs but they hope he has one good start left in him. Hunter has started 2 games so far this post season and he is 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

The Giants’ starting pitching is one of the biggest reasons that they are in the World Series. It all starts with righty Tim Lincecum. Lincecum has pitched in 4 games (3 starts) for the Giants in the playoffs and he is 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP. Fellow righty Matt Cain has been even better than Lincecum in the playoffs. Cain has started 2 games so far in the playoffs and he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. Lefty Jonathan Sanchez might have the nastiest stuff on the Giants’ rotation. Sanchez has started 3 games in the playoffs this year and he is 0-1 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Rookie lefty Madison Bumgarner has really stepped up for the Giants giving them a chance to win every time he starts. Bumgarner has pitched in 3 games (2 starts) for the Giants in the playoffs and he is 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR THE GIANTS

CLOSER: Righty Neftali Feliz has one of the best throwing arms on the planet but he hasn’t really been tested in the playoffs as the Rangers have not played any close games that they have won. Feliz has pitched in 5 games in the playoffs so far and he is 0-0 with 0 saves, a 2.08 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP.

Righty Brian Wilson sometimes makes the end of Giants’ games interesting but he almost always seems to get the job done. Wilson has pitched in 7 games in the playoffs so far for the Giants and he is 1-0 with 5 saves, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. Wilson has only given up 4 hits in 9 innings while whiffing 12 batters showing just how nasty he has been.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR THE GIANTS

BULLPEN: Righty Darren O’Day has got a lot of work so far in the playoffs but he hasn’t been as good as he was during the regular season. O’Day has pitched in 7 games for the Rangers and he is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Lefty Darren Oliver is the Rangers’ top lefty in the pen. Oliver has pitched in 6 games for the Rangers in the playoffs so far and he is 0-1 with 1 save, a 5.40 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Righty Alexi Ogando has a great arm and that’s why they will keep running him out there against the Giants. Ogando has pitched in 3 games during the playoffs and he is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA and a 2.14 WHIP. Lefty Derek Holland has been outstanding as the long reliever for the Rangers during the post season. Holland has pitched in 4 games in the playoffs so far and he is 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Rookie lefty Michael Kirkman worked 2 scoreless innings against the Yankees. Fellow lefty Clay Rapada pitched in 3 games against the Yankees and despite having a 0.00 ERA, he had a 6.00 WHIP.

The Giants have been getting great work out of the left side of the bullpen. Javier Lopez has pitched in 7 games in the playoffs so far and he is 1-0 with a 0.80 ERA and a 0.40 WHIP. Jeremy Affeldt has pitched in 3 games in the playoffs so far and he is 0-0 with a 3.38 ERA and a 0.38 WHIP. Righty Santiago Casilla has been by far the most effective righty reliever for the Giants so far in the playoffs. He has pitched in 3 games so far and he is 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. It will be interesting to see if the Giants are confident enough to use righties Sergio Romo or Ramon Ramirez in close games to protect leads. They were both outstanding to the Giants during the year but they have been awful in the playoffs. Romo has pitched in 5 games for the Giants in the playoffs and he is 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. Ramon Ramirez has pitched in 3 games in the playoffs and he is 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP.

EDGE: EVEN

MANAGER: Ron Washington has seemed to outmanage both Joe Girardi & Joe Maddon by just sitting on the top step. He doesn’t seem to overmanage preferring to let his players do the hard work. Washington is 7-4 (63.6%) in his first taste of the playoffs.

Bob Brenly has really coached his team up in the playoffs. The Giants are 7-3 (70%) so far this post season as Brenly seems to have learned from past mistakes. He is now 15-19 (44.1%) in the post season as a manager in his career.

EDGE: EVEN

PREDICTION: I think the Rangers have the better team overall and I think they will prevail in six games.

Outfielder Cody Ross was pretty much tossed to the side by the Marlins as they allowed the Giants to claim him on waivers without giving anything up for him. Ross has really rose to the challenge in the playoffs for the Giants. He played in 6 games in the N.L.C.S. and he was 7 for 20 (.350 avg, 1.385 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 3 homers and 5 RBIs. Ross has now played in 10 games this post season and he is 11 for 34 (.324 avg, 1.189 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 4 homers and 8 RBIs. The Giants need Ross to stay hot against the Rangers in the World Series starting this week.

The San Francisco Giants got great work from the bullpen and a very clutch homer by Juan Uribe to put away the Phillies and party on their field. Juan Uribe was 2 for 3 with a solo homer in the top of the 8th inning off of Ryan Madson. Andres Torres (3 for 5), Freddy Sanchez (3 for 4 with a double) and Aubrey Huff (1 for 4 with 1 run scored and 1 RBI) also swung the bat well for the Giants last night. Jonathan Sanchez didn’t last long for the Giants in this game. He pitched the first 2 innings for the Giants allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs while walking 2 batters and whiffing 1. Jeremy Affeldt and Madison Bumgarner each worked two scoreless innings apiece for the Giants in this game as they were both very effective. Javier Lopez pitched a scoreless 7th inning to earn the win in this game for the Giants. Tim Lincecum came into this game in the 8th inning and he got one guy out (he whiffed him) and he gave up two hits. Closer Brian Wilson came into this game in the 8th inning and he got out of Lincecum’s jam. He worked the final 1 2/3 innings without giving up a run and earning a save. Wilson whiffed Ryan Howard looking to send the Giants to the World Series for the first time since 2002. The Giants prevail 4-2 over the Phillies.

The Giants just couldn’t get any key hits when they needed them last night. Andres Torres was solid as he was 2 for 3 with 1 run scored last night. Freddy Sanchez (2 for 4) and Cody Ross (1 for 4 with a double and a RBI) also had solid games for the Giants last night. Tim Lincecum had another very solid effort last night despite getting the L. He worked the first 7 innings allowing only 4 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) while walking only 1 batter and whiffing 7. Sergio Romo & Javier Lopez combined to work a scoreless 8th inning for the Giants last night. Ramon Ramirez started the ninth inning and he gave up a solo bomb to Jayson Werth which really hurt the Giants. Ramirez gave up 1 earned run in 2/3 of an inning while giving up 2 hits. Jeremy Affeldt finished up the game by striking out the last batter the Phillies sent up to the plate. The Giants are up 3-2 in this series as it shifts back to Philly.

The Giants had a lot of clutch hitting last night which led to this win. Buster Posey led the way for the Giants as he was 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs. Aubrey Huff was also swinging a hot stick in this game as he was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. Pablo Sandoval got the start at 3B last night and he responded in a big way going 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Juan Uribe didn’t start this game because his wrist has been bothering him but he pinch hit and knocked in the game winning run off Roy Oswalt in the bottom of the 9th inning. Madison Bumgarner was the starting pitcher last night and it didn’t go too well. Bumgarner worked the first 4 2/3 innings in this game and he allowed 6 hits and 3 earned runs while walking 1 batter and whiffing 6. Santiago Casilla & Javier Lopez didn’t pitch that well following Bumgarner in the game. They combined to work 2 1/3 innings allowing 2 earned runs. Sergio Romo worked a scoreless 8th inning and Brian Wilson worked a scoreless 9th inning (he was the winning pitcher) giving the Giants the chance for the walk off win that they got. The Giants are now up 3-1 in this series with Game #5 tonight.

This time the Giants gave Matt Cain the support he needed to get a win. He pitched 7 scoreless innings allowing only 2 hits while walking 3 batters and whiffing 5. Javier Lopez worked a flawless 8th inning setting up closer Brian Wilson for the ninth. Wilson gave up 1 hit and 0 runs while earning the save. Hits were hard to come by against the Phillies yesterday. Freddy Sanchez, Cody Ross and Aubrey Huff were each 1 for 3 with a RBI. Edgar Renteria (1 for 4 with 1 run scored) and Aaron Rowand (1 for 3 with a double and 1 run scored) also helped out the Giants’ cause with the bats yesterday. The Giants are now up 2-1 in this series with Game #4 tonight in San Fran.

The Giants’ batters bats went cold yesterday and the relievers brought in the gas can in the 7th inning and it was just too much to overcome. Cody Ross stayed hot at the plate as he was 1 for 3 with a solo homer off of Roy Oswalt in the 5th inning. Freddy Sanchez (2 for 4) and Travis Ishikawa (1 for 1) was the extent of the rest of the offense for the Giants last night. Jonathan Sanchez got the loss last night for the Giants despite pitching six solid innings in which he allowed 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned) while walking 3 batters and whiffing 7. Ramon Ramirez, Jeremy Affeldt and Santiago Casilla conspired to pitch 1 inning between them allowing 2 hits, 3 earned runs while walking 2 batters and whiffing 1. Sergio Romo pitched a scoreless 8th inning to finish things out for the Giants pitching wise in this game. The Giants are now tied up 1-1 in this series as it now shifts to San Francisco.