In a short series, whoever has the hottest pitching rotation will carry the day.
As they say, “It’s the pitching, stupid!”
As they say, “It’s the pitching, stupid!”
As they actually say (and have said), "Good pitching beats good hitting---and vice versa." Make note that the other guys batted a mere .236 against this year's Giants, with a mere .683 OPS against them. The team ERA over the final 28 days of the season was a whopping 1.74; over the full season, 3.36.
Now, about the other guys they will or might face this postseason:
Cincinnati Reds: .254; .719; 3.62; 4.02.
Atlanta Braves: .246; .690; 3.81; 3.57.
Philadelphia Phillies (as in, the presumed pitching-rich Philadelphia Phillies): .254; .716; 3.00; 3.68.
Texas Rangers: .246 BAA (batting average against); .709 OPSA (OPS against); 3.59 team ERA over the final 28 days of the season; 3.93 season ERA.
Minnesota Twins: .266; .734; 4.47; 3.95.
The Empire Emeritus: .249; .721; 5.06; 4.06.
Tampa Bay Rays: .244; .711; 3.74; 3.78.
Going to the WHIP (walks/hits per inning pitched, last 28 days and the season):
Reds: 1.22/1.33
Braves: 1.33/1.27
Phillies: 1.20/1.24
Rangers: 1.26/1.31
Yankees: 1.40/1.31
Twins: 1.38/1.29
Rays: 1.27/1.26
Giants: 0.96/1.27
I submit that on paper there is no reason why any objective analyst should suggest the Giants go into the postseason with less than perhaps the best overall pitching of any of these contenders.