Tim Lincecum braces for starting Game 4 against St. Louis Cardinals - MLB Update
Tim Lincecum may be starting Game 4 of the National League Championship Series for San Francisco Giants against St. Louis Cardinals. He has shown great command and control in his relief appearances in the matches played in the post-season.
Lincecum appears to be focused on carrying out his job successfully. Regardless of whether he gets the opportunity on Thursday or not, he is looking to find ways to draw outs and outfox batters.
"I just try to go in there and get outs when I'm asked to," he said. "That's pretty much my mindset."
Based on his performance in the playoffs, it can be expected that he is handed the starting job for a crucial match against the Cardinals.
While he is capable of handling the pressure as his incredible past record speaks volumes about it, he has been below par during the 2012 regular season.
Far from living up to his reputation as a reliable hurler for the Giants, he has suffered losses and posted a dismal ERA in the season.
In light of this, bringing him on the mound on Thursday will be risky for the Giants. If he crumbles there, it can turn out to be as disastrous for the team as costing them elimination from the season.
Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy, though pleased with the way Lincecum did relief pitching job, is not entirely convinced by the idea of allowing him to start on Thursday.
"If he starts, I'll be eager to see him the way he's throwing the ball," Bochy said. "We'll see how today's game goes. We'd like to have that option and have him for Game 4."
Bochy wants to have Lincecum throwing pitches the way he did in the first game of the series against the Cardinals.
Working as starter for a team is a different ballgame, which means that based on just rehab outings on the mound, he cannot be considered as an ideal option for initiating the proceedings in such an important match.
Irrespective of the perception of the manager about him, Lincecum will be working on his control. He will be devising ways to face pressure cooker scenarios during the match and battle with them effectively.
It will be interesting to see as to who is going to start for the Giants on Thursday.
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