Is bochy possibly being brilliant here? He's already gone to closer-by-committee, with nary a whimper from the local media (of course, it helps when you win the division - and you've always been "allowed" to run your bullpen like a crazy person in the playoffs).

The Giants have 2 very solid starters, one who's magic pixie dust could wear off any moment (Vogelsong), Barry Freakin' Zito and the conundrum that is 2012 Tim Lincecum.

Is it actually optimal to use Lincecum - who has been very shaky himself - as the "back up starter" if someone looks shaky early? Given your options are (technically) Zito - who is a delicate flower and cannot possibly pitch in relief, Vogelsong, or the likes of Mota or Brad Penny (pure mop up guys). Pretty sure Penny's not on the post season roster.... but you get the idea.

Hilarious that Bochte thinks Zito is a better option than Lincecum.

Regardless his feelings on Barry Zito vis a vis Tim Lincecum, I'll always have a soft spot for Bruce Bochte. He was a nice little hitter, even if he didn't have the kind of pop you'd like in your first sacker.

I think that Lincecum was a hidden gem against my Reds yesterday. He was awesome and if the Giants are lucky, that will continue.

Ah, but Lincecum ended up pitching 6+ innings and Zito 2.2. I don't think anyone thinks Lincecum is worse than Zito (or for that matter, Vogelsong) BUT - leverage might matter here. And starting the game has the lowest leverage.

This is excellent:

In their post-game celebration, Barry Zito crept up being the two-time Cy Young winner and as Lincecum looked up, Zito sprayed Lincecum in the face with a bottle of champagne. That lead to Lincecum shouting this, per Deadspin:

“Now I know what chicks feel like.”

Hombre: That reminds me of the time Peter Gammons reported that Zito's apartment in San Francisco was nicknamed "the stabbin' cabin." I'm reasonably sure he didn't know what it meant.

Rumor (of the worst, sports radio kind) is that Lincecum will start Game 1 of the NLCS. In which case, Bochy's maneuvering in in the NLDS was ... something other than Genius.

Also bizzare: Sullivan piece on Lincecum in relief

So Lincecum, who has been horrible in the stretch all year - pitches 100% from the stretch in relief and throws 74% strikes.