Over or under? Top 10 Giants predictions for 2009

A full year of Pablo Sandoval will help the Giants offense. Morry Gash, AP

The 2009 Giants are chalk full of hope and mystery. But just to keep things a little more interesting here are ten bets worth making. Wager or not they will also prove to be intriguing story lines for the upcoming season.  And, if you can't find a sports book with these props, I'm happy to be the house (For entertainment purposes only).

1. Who will have more: Lincecum wins, or homers by Giants' team leader?

Team Leader in home runs. Timmy will win a lot of games this year, but even 20 is a rare feat for the best pitchers.  It's going to take something out of the ordinary, but I do think one Giant hits more than 20 homers this year.  Molina has been close several times and Rowand has done it before, but I'm looking for Ishikawa or Lewis to provide some unexpected pop.

2.  Pick 'em: more starts at any position, Burris or Frandsen?

Burriss.  I have to take E-Man, just because he's going to get a head start and will back up Renteria, but don't write off Frandsen.  This job may have been won in the spring, but the champ will be challenged all year.  Frandsen can also mix in some starts in the outfield, and has been working out at third base too.  It will be interesting to see how Bochy configures things if Molina is moved or misses any time this season. I'd imagine Sandoval goes behind the plate and third base opens up, that may benefit Frandsen.

3.  Brian Wilson Saves: Over or under 40?

Under.  I love Wilson, but it takes a lot of extenuating circumstances to have enough opportunities to save forty games.  I think Wilson is going to be in the hunt for 40, and with his new change-up he could prove to be an even more dominant closer than he was last year, when he was an all-star. But he will finish the year with 37 saves. Still plenty of chance for him to cross his arms in celebration.
 

Brian Wilson is featuring a new pitch, Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP.

4. Who will have more: Pablo Sandoval walks or Fred Lewis triples?

Pablo.  Sandoval only walked four times in 145 at bats last year with the Giants, and he's known for his aggressive approach at the plate.  Lewis did have 13 triples last year, and his gap to gap power and the angles at AT&T are a tailor made combo for three baggers.  Still, over the course of an entire season Sandoval will need to show a bit of patience and will also be given a free pass every now and again.

5.  Buster Posey MLB At Bats: Over or under 1?

Over. Posey won’t be in the mix for a lot of playing time this year, but I expect him to at the very least get the cup of coffee call up when rosters expand on September 1.  If the Giants aren’t in the race at that point, that will certainly add a little excitement to the season.

6.  Bruce Bochy manging: Over or under 162 Games?

Push.  He won’t make the playoffs, and he won’t get fired midway through the season. I don’t anticipate a mid-season deal to extend his contract either, but only time will tell for sure. It's really tough to evaluate Bochy as a manager in San Francisco.  He inherited an aging and grossly under talented team so it's hard to cast any blame on him for '07 and '08.  This year's team isn't exactly the group most guys would want to be managing in their contract year either.

7.  Odds on Randy Win finishing the season with the Giants?

35%.  It depends on how the season unfolds, but the Giants have some young outfielders who deserve to be playing.  Winn, in the last year of his deal, will be shopped all year by Brian Sabean, and I expect Sabean to unload the former Santa Clara Bronco before season’s end.

Lewis hit only 9 homers last year, but look for more in '09. Eric Risberg, AP

8.  Randy Johnson starts: Over or under 23?

Under. I hope it’s over.  This guy's arm is something special, but his back, and the rest of his 45 year old body can't possibly hold up through the rigors of an entire season.  Johnson will win 12 games this year (number 300 will come in June at Chase Field in Phoenix), and he's coming off a year where he made 30 starts.  An interesting note is that since 1998 Johnson has either made more than 30, or less than 20 starts.

9.  Fred Lewis homers and steals: Over or under 20?

Over, on both. Lewis has some pop in that whip like bat of his, and with the bunions now a thing of the past Lewis will be off to the races.  Lewis is an interesting player. He’s an athlete first and foremost (has only played baseball since college), and at times his instincts weren’t on par with those skills.  After a pretty good sink or swim type of audition in ’08, Lewis will only get better this year.  Look for him to go 20/20 and make a strong push for the all-star team.

10.  Barry Zito Wins: Over or under 11?

Over. Barry will have his best season as a Giant.  While 11 is the most he's had in orange and black, the better over under mark would be 14 wins for Zito.  Frankly if Zito can’t have success in the fourth spot of this rotation he never will.  He’s now had two full seasons to become acclimated to the Giants and the National League, not to mention the original shock and outrage of fans over his contract.  All signs are pointing to a good, well at least a better, season for Zito.