Most would not have envisioned the Giants having the second best team ERA in all of baseball nearing the All Star break. San Fran’s team ERA is just 3.65 and they have allowed the fewest runs per game (3.8) in the majors this season.

On top of that, this staff has more strikeouts than any other team. The starting staff obviously has a stake in those imposing stats. Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum are both in the Top 10 in starter ERA. However, the bullpen has definitely held up their end of the bargain.

The bullpen numbers are actually more impressive than the starters. That’s because they have the best bullpen ERA in the league at 3.34. Opponents are hitting just .243 BA against Giants relievers. And while the starters have been solid for the most part, they have only 36 quality starts putting them in the middle of the pack in MLB. The bullpen has had to shoulder more than their share of the load this year.

The interesting part about this San Francisco bullpen is that their success has been built mainly with new faces. These well-traveled veterans have come into their own and pushed this team into second place in the NL West behind the red-hot Dodgers.

The most well-known pick up was Bobby Howry, who has posted decent numbers (3.91 ERA) but other under the radar signings have been more efficient. Jeremy Affeldt, who has pitched with  KC, Colorado and Atlanta, has been one of the best pickups in baseball. He has a miniscule 1.65 ERA in 32 appearances. 

Justin Miller, who was with Florida the last two years, has been great with an ERA of just 2.27 in 25 appearances. Brandon Medders is another newcomer who took the mound for Arizona the last four seasons. His ERA is 2.97.

Those four have helped this San Francisco bullpen become one of the best in MLB. In fact, the only holdover that has had significant mound action this year, besides closer Brian Wilson, is Merkin Valdez.

If the newcomers continue their break-out seasons and the starting staff stays solid, this team should remain in the NL wildcard hunt. If the offense ever comes around, then the Giants will really be a serious threat.

One thing is for certain. Regardless or not if they upgrade the offense, no one is going to want to play the Giants in a 5 or 7 game series when we can throw out Lincecum, Cain, and Johnson. Even Barry Zito has enjoyed a rejuvenating season, and has showed signs of returning to his dominant ways.

I for one never doubted this for a minute, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this team do some serious damage in October this year. Stay tuned folks.