San Francisco Giants Tim Lincecum the Hottest Starter up Against The Marlins
The San Francisco Giants face the Florida Marlins begins the season with a bang. Two teams perfectly matched and at a time where the Giants are coming off a loss and the Marlins are gaining strength. Pitcher Tim Lincecum heads to the hill for the series opener when his team, the Giants face the Marlins. San Francisco has the best ERA with a 2.59 and has been experiencing a winning streak, which took a detour when they lost to Colorado, but they are hoping to be back on track with Lincecum on the mound. Hoping to pop a win that continues for another stretch of games, Tim is focused and ready.
Before the loss to Colorado, the Giants were on fire with their 2nd longest winning steak since back in 1952. The team only allowed two earned runs or less for 13 straight games almost breaking a record of 14 games straight, set by the Pirates in 1968 Pirates and the White Sox in 1965 and 1966. The two-time defending Cy Young Award winner, Lincecum, received a no-decision in his last start, and will be seeking redemption.
In the game against the Marlins, Lincecum will be up against right hander Anibal Sanchez, who has not yet started against San Francisco. The Marlin pitcher has thrown at least 6 innings during his starts this year and allowed at least 4 runs during his last two starts. To date Sanchez has not completed the seventh.
The Giant’s bullpen stands strong with its four relievers: Guillermo Mota, Sergio Romo, Dan Runzler and Brian Wilson. They have successfully managed a less than 3.0 ERA. Mota seems to be the strongest in that he has not been scored upon in 9 of his 10 outings during this season. This is one of the most solid bullpens and has empowered the Giants to pitch the second fewest relief innings the Majors have seen.
As for the Marlins, the team’s All Star shortstop is coming into his stride. Hanley Ramirez has 7 RBI’s in just two games this month with a 2 homer game this past Sunday. This former Rookie of the Year is a two time All Star player and is considered on of the most consistent players in the game. Going from Rookie of the Year to an All Star player is quite an honor and is a testament to a player showing that they came in strong as a young rookie and that was just a taste of things to come. Some rookies fizzle out, but Hanley has been on a steady keel and when he is on, he is on. He has been quiet this season thus far, but this is the quiet before the storm. And when that storm hits, watch out!
The game between the Giants and the Marlins should be very heated with Lincecum on a mission to get his team back on a winning streak and Ramirez just heating up. Giant’s Aubrey Huff is a strong contender, with a home run this past Sunday and a consistent 1 RBI in six of the past 8 games. The Marlins are the only NL team to hit over .300, hitting a .311 with runners on base this past Sunday. The two are fierce competitors and the aces for each of their teams. With Aaron Rowand coming back from being on the disabled list for fifteen days, the Giants are back with a full roster of their best players. Rowand fractured his left cheek on April 16th, when he took a pitch to the face. With injuries aside and players back on the field, Lincecum against Hanley, it sure is a game to watch!
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