Mid-Season Recap

The offensive MVP of the first half is Starling Marte. It was close between he and Neil Walker but Walker's awful June took him out of the running as Marte took the team lead in batting average, runs scored and stolen bases and he is also 2nd on the team in RBI. Andrew McCutchen is an honorable mention here. Obviously we wouldn't be where we are with out him but he is performing slightly below his ability right now.

As far as the rest of the lineup and goes Russell Martin has been doing a decent job at catcher although he has cooled off after a hot start. Brett Wallace was picked up in the James McDonald trade with Houston and he has torn up the National League since his call up from Indianapolis. Jed Lowrie has exceeded expectations providing some nice pop while playing stellar defense at SS and 2B. Brandon Crawford was picked up from San Francisco and has been very hot while playing SS on a limited basis. Travis Snider has filled in admirably in LF for the injured Jose Tabata.

The first half MVP of the pitching staff is Francisico Liriano. Liriano is tied for the ML lead in wins with 12 and he's leading the team in just about every major category. With the inconsistencies of our rotation it has been very calming to have Liriano take the mound every 5th day.
The rest of the staff has had it's troubles to be sure. Tim Lincecum has eaten up innings but we never really know what were going to get from him and he has had major problems with his control. Wandy Rodriguez has had more downs than ups and he spent 3 weeks on the DL with back trouble. A.J. Burnett has certainly been a bright spot since his signing in June as he's yet to lose a game and sports a sub-2.00 ERA and Simon Castro has been a pleasant surprise with his 7 wins and his 1.22 WHIP.

Iwane Innoue has been the most valuable out of the pen as he's done everything that we've asked of him from pitching multiple innings to pitching on multiple days to working as a set up man and even closing. Through all that he's posted a 2.18 ERA. I'd have to say he's been well worth the $750K that we are paying him this year.

The rest of the pen has been the biggest surprise of the season. Despite the fact the we have spent most of the year without a true closer the closer by committee formula has served us well as Daniel Ray Herrera has been great after being picked up out of the rule 5 draft. Chris Perez has not done well in save situations but he has pitched well against right handed hitters. Jeff Locke has been serviceable as a long man and Jhan Marinez has been sensational since he was recalled from Indianapolis. Scott Downs and Alexi Ogando will have the rest of the season to show us what they can do.