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The Zulewski report
By Tom Zulewski October 26, 2010 |
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The Giants announced on Monday that they will start NLCS Game #6 middle reliver Tim Lincecum for game one of the 2010 World Series. Lincecum who had struggled in that game six under very different and unexpected circumstances going one third of an inning in relief and giving up two hits in the 8th inning. But that was a role in which manager Bruce Bochy felt he had to go with using his best pitcher to set it up for closer Brian Wilson. You won't see Lincecum relieve too much unless it's a tight game and the series is on the line and Bochy will have to go with his best. Lincecum who starts Wednesday's game one will be offering his best stuff up at the plate against some of the Rangers toughest hitters through the post season, Nelson Cruz .375, Ian Kinsler .342, Elvis Andrus .333, Bengie Molina .333, and Mitch Moorland .303. The Rangers who open at AT&T are 0-9 against the Giants and 0-11 overall which includes their old visits to Candlestick Park. This is the World Series and this is a different Rangers club but with the home field advantage the Giants have been given the slight edge in a series that is expected to go the distance. Lincecum is the standard but not for his middle relief work but for his two time Cy Young starting talent that has been a huge piece in getting San Francisco to the World Series. Despite the Rangers having five hitters in their line up that are over .300 that's all out the window now with the pitching staff that the Giants have will those Rangers hitter adjust to the Giants rotation? Matt Cain is the announced pitcher for game three and it's expected that Jonathan Sanchez who pitched and who started game six on Saturday night will be the game three starter. There has been discussion of Barry Zito coming back in the press who was announced as the last roster cut before the series began and has been with the club but not active. Zito who was taking warm up tosses at Monday's workout at AT&T Park looked like he was ready to dive back in. Knowing Bruce Bochy and his strategy Zito could be that ace up Bochy's sleeve that could get either back in the rotation or come out to help set up for closer Wilson. There are a lot possibilities for what role Zito will play but knowing the way Bruce Bochy has managed in the playoffs and maybe to a big surprise to many if Zito gets in an inning or two that would just widen his support from his players as a manger who pulls out all the stops. Zito has had plenty of rest, he was not active for the NLDS versus Atlanta and the NLCS versus Philadelphia but now in the big show in his first World Series this might be the best opportunity for him to shine. Zito didn't fuss or say anything negative when he got the news that he would not play in the playoffs but just dressed each day and threw on the sidelines with his teammates. In what is considered to be a highlight in any big leaguers dream playing in the World Series and seeing Zito benched after another tough season for the playoffs it was just tough on his teammates to see that happen. But it might have worked out after all, Zito has rested, he's got the old soup bone ready and his big curve ready to go it's a matter of when and how and if Zito will be inserted in which circumstance and which game. He could get that old American League pitching feeling again throwing against designated hitters in the Ball Park in Arlington we'll just have to see. Tom Zulewski does the report each week for Sportstalk Radio |
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