The Trials of The Summer

Among the many keys to the San Francisco Giants success last year - and I'll remind you that they are still the World Champions - was dominant pitching that masked a rather light-hitting lineup. Granted, it was a lineup that seemed to get extremely timely hits, but it was weak nonetheless. This led to the overused phrase:

 

And speaking of a light-hitting lineup, check this one out:

C - Buster Posey

1B - Brandon Belt

2B - Freddy Sanchez

SS - Mike Fontenot

3B - Pablo Sandoval

LF - Mark DeRosa

CF - Andres Torres

RF - Cody Ross

Now, that is no Murderers Row...and, the astute Giants fan might notice, is also not  a lineup the Giants have trotted out even a single game this year. So, what is it? It's a starting offense of players who have spent time - in all cases, significant time - on the Disabled List this year. Posey is out for the season, and Sanchez well might be. Sandoval is just returning from a six week stint there after starting out the season white hot. Belt showed promise in Spring Training, flailed in the bigs, and then fractured his hand. 

Again, this isn't a lineup that would scare most teams, but it is - for better or for worse, guys that the World Champions mostly planned on being their starters. 

The exceptions are Aubrey Huff and Miguel Tejada, both who have avoided being hurt ... but also been miserable at the plate all season.

All of that ... and the team is still in first place. Pretty remarkable.

Go Giants!