Kuzul

As you may know, San Francisco’s offense is struggling.

The team has had problems stranding runners on base and failing to provide run support for their tremendous pitching staff. While guys like Angel Pagan, Melky Cabrera and Buster Posey are off to good starts, there are weak links in the Giants‘ lineup.

One of those is Brandon Crawford.

Crawford has hit better lately, as his batting average has improved from just over .200 to near .250 (his BA is .232). While Crawford has 21 RBI and seems to always come through with the big hit, his batting average is inexcusable.

Since San Francisco is a team who struggles to hit with RISP, Crawford does help them there. When there are runners on base, he seems to deliver, usually with an extra-base hit down the line. However, his inability to start a rally has hurt the team.

And so has his fielding.

Crawford is one of those weird fielders. He seems to make all the tough plays, as some of his diving stops have found their way on ESPN. However, he also seems to struggle with some routine ground balls and pop-ups.

Just this year, Crawford has 12 errors (and the infield fly rule saved him from one more in a game against Texas). His fielding percentage has dropped from 97.2 percent last year to 95.8 percent this year, and he seems to have trouble when playing with the sun in his eyes.

Some could argue that Crawford is off to a good start, and they’d probably be right. Crawford has proven that he is a good fielder, and he is an above-average defensive shortstop. For teams looking for a good defensive shortstop, Crawford could be a good target.

For offense, not so much.

Crawford can hit with RISP, as he has shown this year. He only has one home run, but he does have 21 RBI. A lot of his hits drive in runs, and for teams struggling to hit with runners on base, Crawford could also be a target.

Shortstops aren’t always the most powerful players, and it’s rare for a shortstop to hit for 30-plus home runs. Never expect that from Crawford. He is a guy who hits line drives, and sometimes he gets jammed and hits a pop-up.

That’s why he doesn’t hit home runs. Expecting 10 homers in a season from Crawford is somewhat absurd, so if a team wants a powerful shortstop, Crawford is not the guy. If a team is looking for a shortstop who can hit at the top of the order and get on base a lot, Crawford isn’t the guy.

San Francisco has had problems at shortstop, and if they could bring in an elite SS, their championship hopes would seem more realistic. Crawford is not elite, and he has not been playing well this year. However, for a team looking to win down the road, Crawford could be a good target.

Overall, Crawford is not a terrible player. Once he develops his fielding skills a little more, he will be an elite defensive shortstop. If the Giants want an elite shortstop to get on base at the top of the order, Crawford is not the guy to do that—not yet. Therefore, they should be looking to trade for a shortstop.

And teams who want a good defensive shortstop years down the road should be looking to trade for Crawford. 

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The San Francisco Giants have started the season well, as they are in second place in the NL West at 34-27.

However, they still have one gaping hole: shortstop.

While you could argue that they have a hole in the rotation because of Tim Lincecum’s slow start, Brandon Crawford’s inconsistent play at shortstop has hurt the Giants. He has a .219 batting average and a 24.5 percent strikeout rate.

Oh, and his defense hasn’t been too great either (as you may have noticed from the picture above). 

Crawford is an above-average defensive shortstop, and he makes a lot of hard plays. However, he has struggled to field easy grounders, and he’s even dropped pop-ups (again, see above).

Overall, Crawford has been a disappointment for the Giants. Here are three reasons why they must trade for another shortstop as soon as possible.

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Just in case you’ve hibernated for the past two years, let me update you on the Giants‘ pitching.

Jonathan Sanchez is no longer a Giant. Ryan Vogelsong has stepped in and pitched very well. Barry Zito is playing well. Brian Wilson has a beard, Sergio Romo does too, and Javier Lopez was traded to the Giants and he has played very well.

Oh, and there’s also this other guy named Madison Bumgarner, and he’s pretty good.

Bumgarner stepped in during June 2010, and he played well throughout the regular season. He was good enough to earn a starting spot in the playoffs, where he went 2-0 and pitched in four games (all won by the Giants).

In 2011, he was great, and in 2012, he’s played well too. Although he is only 6-4, his ERA is just above 3.00, and he has anchored San Francisco’s staff. With San Francisco’s offense improving, so should Bumgarner’s stats.

Bumgarner isn’t even in his prime yet, which is a scary thought for opposing hitters. He has great stuff, and he is developing into one of the game’s best pitchers. However, I think he’s already in that class.

Here are four reasons why Bumgarner is one of the MLB‘s best pitchers.

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Texas felt comfortable with Nelson Cruz and a 3-1 series lead on Detroit. If C.J Wilson didn’t come through, surely Derek Holland would.

And if not, surely Colby Lewis would finish.

Now, that comfort is gone. Detroit has Delmon Young, who has matched Nelson Cruz, and they have power with Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, as well as Ryan Raburn and Brandon Inge, who are both surging.

Detroit hasn’t gotten much from Justin Verlander, who has given up 12 runs in 20 and one-third innings. Although Young and the Tigers have supported him (Verlander is 2-1 in October), he will need to step up if the Tigers are to advance.

Still, Detroit is in the thick of this race. Max Scherzer has been impressive this postseason, giving up 4 runs in 13 and one-third innings. Scherzer didn’t give up a run in Game 2 and has a win and a hold this postseason.

Add in Doug Fister, and you have a stellar pitching rotation that can match the Rangers with ease. Texas has won their last three home games, but they are not a great home team, especially in October.

Right now, Game 6 is cracked up to be a great battle, but if the Tigers (who had the ball bounce their way in Game 5) can pull it out, they have the definite edge.

Fister ended the regular season with seven straight wins, and he has won his last nine starts (where he had a decision) including the deciding game in the ALDS. In Seattle, Fister had a 3.33 ERA, but only went 3-12, including a loss in New York.

His next outing in New York wasn’t great (four and two-thirds innings of relief), but he followed that by pitching five strong innings, giving up just one run in the Tigers’ 3-2 clincher.

Colby Lewis is a good pitcher, but nobody in Texas wants the ball in the hands of Doug Fister for Game 7. He already beat the Rangers, diving into the 8th and giving up just two runs.

He was strong in the ALDS, and finished the year strong, but Lewis is 0-2 against Detroit this year, giving up 17 earned runs in 13 innings. Derek Holland has been strong recently, but struggled against Detroit and their hot bats.

So while Game 6 looks even, with Delmon Young and Miguel Cabrera against Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. But if Detroit pulls it out, watch out for Game 7.

Fister is lights out. Lewis; not so much.

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