For me it's Brandon Belt.

How 'bout trying to go the other way with that fastball to the outside corner?

A walk isn't bad; but in relation to your (current) spot in the order, waiting for Crawford, The Pitcher, or Blanco/Christian to drive you in doesn't seem like a high percentage bet.

That means it's on you to produce XBH's, particularly with ducks on the pond...
(That dog from "Duck Hunt" is laughing at you, Kid. Make good on those RISP chances.)

PS: I know the personal catcher/ no real "off-day" for Buster thing is screwing with you; gotta hang with 'em...

PPS: Pagan may not be a #5 hitter...

I agree about Belt.

I love me some Melky, but I have doubts that he's going to hit .350+ for the rest of the year. He might, but I'd sure like to see Belt start hitting for power consistently just in case.

-chef

For me the key for the 2nd half begins and ends with Timmy

I would love for Melky to continue hitting .350+, the only problem is that puts him in the AL East next season...

I guess we'll jump off that bridge when we come to it.

There are 3 for me.

Belt for the reasons you and others have mentioned.

Tim because we ain't going anywhere without him at his best.

But the big one for me is Pablo.

In a team bereft of power, we need our best slugger jacking a few more out than once every 10 games.

The average is there.

We just need the power to return.

The problem with Belt is that as he's batting in the 7 hole, he's being protected by Crawford, which means pitcher's never have to throw him even a single good pitch, they can throw him 4 ball's each and every AB. And he's missing the random bad pitch. He'll never do anything in the 7 hole, but he doesn't deserve to be moved up the ladder either, it's a lose lose situation.

Timmy. He must improve if we want to consider ourselves a legit playoff caliber team.

runner ups

Our lead off hitter. Whoever is batting lead off needs to do better at getting on base. It's night and day when we got a lead off guy working counts and getting on base.

Posey. He must continue to be the clubhouse leader and cut down on those GIDP's.

Pablo. Show more a little more plate discipline. He was doing it pre surgery so we know hes capable.

Melky. Stay hot. Even though I don't think he can sustain his current numbers, he must continue to contribute regularly with this meager offense.

HUFF DADDY.

All seriousness for me, though: Pablo

It's Belt. If he starts hitting for power, like the Giants projected he'd be, then he could move up in the order to the 5 hole and get Pagan the <hell out of there. Buster is doing what he's projected to do power wise. Pablo is a little light but that probably has to do with the hand surgery. Short of a major trade like last year's for Beltran, an extreme unlikelyhood this season, Belt is the guy that HAS to step up. Ending up the season with 8 or 9 homers won't get it done for Belt or the Giants. If that's the case he becomes off season trade bait.

Perhaps we haven't yet met the Guy. This fire sale trading time by the cellar-dwellers could bring the Giants someone Wonderful !

I seem to recall too many times watching Belt wiff at a fast ball right down the happy zone.

I don't think he's not getting some good pitches to hit. I just don't think he can hit much of anything right now.

I can't just say there is one key player.

Tim has to pitch at or below 4.00 ERA for the rest of the season.

Somebody has to start hitting HRs! Pablo, Posey, Belt???

They have to get better in the bottom of the order! As pointed out in another thread, that's where the LOBs are killing us.

The Freak. a.k.a. "Big-Time Timmy-Jim" 'nuff said.

Pitching is always the priority. With Zito bound to trail off, Timmy's progress becomes that much more important. However, if Cain, Madbum and Vogey stay on point, that's all we need once we make it to the playoffs. Timmy will be key in getting us there, for sure, but getting some production out of our first baseman or shortstop is pretty important.

If all thing stay the same, some more offensive production from Belt will really make a huge difference. I'd say that's the key at this point, with Timmy and consistency from the bullpen in the 9th a close second and third.

As far as Belt goes, he and Theriot should swap in the lineup until Belt starts displaying more power. His ability to get on base is much better served in the 2 hole, while Theriot's ability to get a base hit more important deeper in the lineup.

That seems worth a try. Anything to get more production at the bottom.

havent traded for him yet,,but we had him last year and sabean let him walk,,now he's in st. louie,,we need power from somewhere,,,,trade for an impact player,,,1st,2nd,ss and rf all need improvement,,let huff walk,trade nate,burriss,belt,blanco for some pop,,and no rentals

...how has no one said Casilla yet? Barring overpaying for a closer in a trade he is going to make or break our bullpen. We already lost our closer, we cannot afford to lose another reliever and have everyone else shift up...again.

~MrGPAC

I agree...we need Timmy to get on track.....and if Zito can eat some innings...and maybe get if a good game without getting hur too much...then the BP can recover...oh yes,The BP gotta get some good outings...Belt has to come around and pickup his mates...

Anyways...if going with the current team makeup I'd pick:

Casilla
Blanco

Our team is basically structured around having a bunch of high average players in the middle of the lineup. Since we have little power, this means we need the guy at the top of the lineup getting on base so that the guys in the middle can knock them in with singles/doubles. The bottom two in our lineup are going to be guys you walk the 6/7 guys to get to anyways so we really need the guys at the top getting on consistently.

Next up after those two is definitely Lincecum.

~MrGPAC