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		Giants gearing up for seasons' final week By Morris Phillips September 27, 2010

	The Giants had a scheduled day off, but in a late update, the Padres’ and Rockies’ bats took the day off as well. As a result, the Giants will begin the season’s final week with a critical edge on the competition, and a clear path to their first playoff berth since 2004. On Monday, the Rockies saw their slim hopes dashed in a 3-1 loss to the Dodgers, and the Padres couldn’t manage even one run in a damaging, 1-0 loss to the Cubs. San Diego blew a chance to tie the Giants for first place in the NL West and gain equal footing heading into the season’s final six games. The Padres also fell ½ game back in the wild card race, as the Braves needed 11 innings, but got a win, 2-1 over the Marlins. For the Giants, the events of Monday leave the Giants needing just four wins in their final six games to ensure they would at least gain entry in a one-game playoff with the Padres or Braves for a playoff berth. Wins in five of their final six would give the Giants the NL West title and they would host games one and a possible game five in a divisional series against either the Reds or Braves. Now, with the favorable results of Monday’s games, the possibility exists that the Giants could achieve both of their goals of winning the West and securing home field in the divisional round with just four wins. Monday’s results also mean the Giants are less likely to alter their rotation to give Tim Lincecum a start in the Friday opener of the pivotal season-ending series against the Padres. Manager Bruce Bochy previously announced that the Giants wouldn’t alter their rotation, but that they would leave the door open to switching Lincecum with Barry Zito, who’s scheduled to pitch Friday, to achieve a better matchup with San Diego. Now, the Giants may consider moving Lincecum up a day to pitch on Wednesday, in a flip-flop with Madison Bumgarner, which would then lend the possibility of Lincecum starting a one-game playoff on Monday. But with a one-game lead, the Giants will likely throw Jonathan Sanchez, Bumgarner and Lincecum, in that order, against the Diamondbacks in hopes they can gain a sweep of Arizona. If the Giants sweep Arizona, they may only need to beat the Padres once to secure the division, and then their objective would be to lineup their rotation for the divisional series, with Matt Cain and Lincecum their preferred starters on regular rest for two of the first three games. On the injury front, Freddy Sanchez is expected to start despite his shoulder troubles that have dramatically compromised his ability to throw from his second base position. Sanchez started Sunday in Colorado with the limitation, but he paid off big with a two-run homer in the first inning. Andres Torres sat out Sunday, but he’s expected to be available as he attempts to help the team on the field while recovering from his recent surgery. Edgar Renteria, who missed a pair of games in Colorado, is also expected to be available for the Arizona series.