Giants pen in Game 1: Seventeen batters faced over 5-1/3 innings, zero hits, one walk, one reached on error.

Is their something about this role that is working better for Lincecum? Does he get a start in this series?

Hopefully good Carp shows up tonight, and the Cardinals get to Vogelsong. The Cardinals' anal raping of the playoffs needs to continue!

He's pitching completely out of the stretch, which seems to be working for him for some reason. During the regular season, there was a huge drop off in effectiveness when he would pitch with the bases empty (i.e., from the windup) versus with runners on base (i.e., from the stretch).

He could conceivably start Game 4. Or he could come in as a reliever following Zito. Going from lefty to righty early in the game can frustrate Matheny's attempt to maximize platoon advantage in the formation of his starting lineup.

Given Bumgarner's past couple of starts, it's possible Zito and Lincecum both may be given starts, in Games 4 and 5 (if necessary).

During the regular season, there was a huge drop off in effectiveness when he would pitch with the bases empty (i.e., from the windup) versus with runners on base (i.e., from the stretch).

I believe this is backward, that he pitched more poorly from the stretch than the windup.

Or he could come in as a reliever following Zito. Going from lefty to righty early in the game can frustrate Matheny's attempt to maximize platoon advantage in the formation of his starting lineup.

That would work against some teams, but Matheny doesn't platoon. He starts the same 8 guys either way. He only has one decent bat on the bench (Carpenter), and that player isn't good enough to push Freese, Craig, Beltran or Holiday out of the lineup against a RHP.

Going from lefty to righty early in the game can frustrate Matheny's attempt to maximize platoon advantage in the formation of his starting lineup.

I don't think Matheny is going to change his starting lineup, regardless of the handedness of the pitcher.

The only person on that bench who could conceivably start a game is Matt Carpenter, and he's their best PH option as well as a great candidate for double-switching as he can play all four corners and 2b in a pinch.

I don't think Matheny is going to change his starting lineup, regardless of the handedness of the pitcher.

Matheny has amazed me. He seems really solid for a guy who hasn't managed since Little League. He's had no apparent clashes with players. I love that he has Beltran #2 instead of some middle IF. His only strategic mistake so far was bringing Rzepcynski in to pitch to Moore instead of either letting Boggs pitch to Tracy or bringing in Motte to pitch to Tracy but he seems to have learned from that.

In fact, the Cardinal's roster construction for the postseason is a little dangerous. Matheny can't make a move for Kozma or Descalso because, basically, there are no reserve middle infielders. The one guy who could fake playing 2b -- but not very well -- is Schumaker, who has been the early innings pinch-hitter so far.
Carpenter and Craig have dabbled at second base, but aren't what you want there with the season on the line, and the backup SS is the guy starting at 2B.

The only person on that bench who could conceivably start a game is Matt Carpenter, and he's their best PH option as well as a great candidate for double-switching as he can play all four corners and 2b in a pinch.

Right - Ideally you might start Carpenter at 2B and Descalso at SS against a RH pitcher, and bring in Kozma late in the game for defense if you have the lead, but with Kozma 'hot' and Matheny not wanting to weaken the defense, it's not going to happen.

In fact, the Cardinal's roster construction for the postseason is a little dangerous.

Quite right---there really is not one true middle infielder on the Cardinal bench.

I hadn't really thought about this, and it is a little scary, but they could manage. If Kozma were to pull a Jeter after M. Carpenter had been used as a PH, Descalso could slide to SS, where he started 20 games this year, and Schumaker---who was, after all, the starting 2b for most of 2009-2011---could fill in there.

I believe this is backward, that he pitched more poorly from the stretch than the windup.

That's it. Around late July-early August Lincecum still carried a precipitous dropoff from bases empty to pitching out of the stretch, and another smaller dropoff with RISP. Whatever he did to clean up his delivery in August and September must have worked wonders. Maybe he started eating at McDonald's again???

Although I wonder if Bochy has been burned and only brings him on in relief with bases empty?

Right - Ideally you might start Carpenter at 2B and Descalso at SS against a RH pitcher, and bring in Kozma late in the game for defense if you have the lead,

Interesting idea. Descalso is probably as good as or better than Kozma at SS. But does Carpenter really have the glove to start at 2B?

Is their something about this role that is working better for Lincecum? Does he get a start in this series?

Lincecum this year is a complete enigma. He still got K's, but he had terrible walk rates with runners on. He just lost the zone completely. He's not throwing any harder as a reliever than as a starter. I would think that the Giants give him the Game 4 start, but I have no real idea at this point.

I certainly would prefer to see him out there instead of Zito.

Descalso isn't that much of a better hitter than Kozma, and it seems unlikely his defense is better, not sure why you would want to do that. There is already a better way to improve the offense by benching Descalso and putting Schumaker (Who is no longer a butcher in the field, his arm strength makes up for some of his fielding issues) at second. It would be a stronger defense than the proposed Carpenter/Descalso option and a stronger offense than the Kozma/Descalso option. Of course overall, those are about break even moves.

Descalso isn't that much of a better hitter than Kozma, and it seems unlikely his defense is better, not sure why you would want to do that.

Well, to get Carpenter's bat in the lineup of course. Plus, against a RHP specifically, I think Descalso would be a better hitter than Kozma.

I agree Schumaker is a better hitter than Descalso (though not lately!). But don't you think he gives away as much on defense (vs. Descalso) as you gain on offense? Certainly no one would think of putting Schumaker at SS, while Descalso seems adequate there.

Lincecum this year is a complete enigma. He still got K's, but he had terrible walk rates with runners on. He just lost the zone completely. He's not throwing any harder as a reliever than as a starter. I would think that the Giants give him the Game 4 start, but I have no real idea at this point.

I certainly would prefer to see him out there instead of Zito.

Entirely agreed. But given how rotten Bumgarner is pitching right now, I won't be surprised if we see both Lincecum and Zito starting, with Bumgarner shunted to the long reliever role.

The Giants' starting pitching, which should be their central strength, has been lousy for the entire post-season so far (and it wasn't exactly brilliant down the stretch). This doesn't bode well; the bullpen can't be expected to carry this kind of load the whole way.

I haven't seen any interviews with him about it, but Linceucm doesn't seem to be put out at all to be in the bullpen. That's pretty heady stuff for a two-time Cy Young winner.

Then again, Zito seemed to take being left off the postseason roster in stride back in 2010. Bochy seems to do a really good job as a people-manager.

Bochy seems to do a really good job as a people-manager.

Absolutely.

CHECKLIST:
Conradian Play []
Web Gem [ ]
1-2-3-4-5-6 inning [ ]
Strike Out of Side [ ]
2+ pitching changes in single half-inning [ ]
Dramatic late-inning homer [ ]
Stolen base [ ]
Blown call [ ]
Blown call costs game [ ]
Caught stealing []
Idiot runs on the field [ ]
Regular-season starter warms up in bullpen [ ]
Game goes into extras [ ]
Shapeshifting strikezone [ ]
Replay review [ ]
Inning-Ending DP [ ]
Play at the plate [ ]
Baserunning blunder [ ]
Bunt [ ]
THIS TRAIN! [X]
Balk [ ]
Game Goes past midnight []
WILD BRIAN WILSON APPEARS [ ]
Cardinals crazy comeback retrospective [ ]
FREESE! [ ]
Pitcher gets a hit [ ]
Buster Posey does something awesome [ ]
Barry Bonds mentioned [ ]
FOX personality pointed out in crowd [ ]
NFL reference (beyond reference to NFL on FOX commercials) [ ]
Reference to McCarver's singing album [ ]
Mark McGwire mentioned by name [ ]
Willie Mays is in the crowd [ ]
Triples alley mentioned [ ]
Ball goes into McCovey cove [ ]
Pujols mentioned [ ]
"Catching Molina Brother" [ ]
FOX introduces us to a commercial that becomes a meme [ ]
Joe Buck and Tim McCarver spend extended amount of time talking about Jeter [ ]
"Torture" mentioned [ ]
Cardinals are behind at any point [ ]
Carlos Beltran does something awesome [ ]
Mention that Matheny hadn't managed anything above his son's little league team before this year []
Replay of Hunter Pence pumping everyone up [ ]
Game 6 2011 WS flashback [ ]

I agree Schumaker is a better hitter than Descalso (though not lately!). But don't you think he gives away as much on defense (vs. Descalso) as you gain on offense? Certainly no one would think of putting Schumaker at SS, while Descalso seems adequate there.

Descalso is a borderline gold glove quality second baseman. Schumaker is a guy who on a good day, doesn't hurt you defensively. Descalso at short would be more or less equivalent to Schumaker at second base. Descalso tools is reaction time, and sure hands, not really range as much. Kozma is at worse an average defensive shortstop, but arguably a plus defensive shortstop.

As I said the three possible pairings listed end up with roughly the same overall value, (Kozma/Descalso is + defense and the absolute worse offense we could put out there; Kozma/Schumaker gives you a plus def ss and weak def second baseman for a slight improvement in offense; Descalso/Carpenter improves the offense at both positions, but weakens the overall defense, second base defense is probably the same as Schumaker) the current pairing that Matheny is going with is the best defense of the group(and defense along with running, is a skill with the least amount of variance from a player) and the two hot hitters. It's the safe decision right now, and to be honest the only obvious decision.

I haven't seen any interviews with him about it, but Linceucm doesn't seem to be put out at all to be in the bullpen. That's pretty heady stuff for a two-time Cy Young winner.

According to McCarver (paraphrasing here) "Lincecum, unlike Arod, has taken to the bench role with positive attitude".

GB. You should have something about the Jeff Leondard/Ozzie Smith era playoffs on there. It was mentioned last night when talking about Jeffrey Leonard winning the MVP even though he was on the losing side.

A little different for pitchers.

Not a big A-Rod fan but kicking him when he's down (when he seems to be handling it as well as he could) doesn't make me like Mc Carver any more.

GB. You should have something about the Jeff Leondard/Ozzie Smith era playoffs on there. It was mentioned last night when talking about Jeffrey Leonard winning the MVP even though he was on the losing side.

Okay, I'll add it in before gametime.

CHECKLIST:
Conradian Play []
Web Gem [ ]
1-2-3-4-5-6 inning [ ]
Strike Out of Side [ ]
2+ pitching changes in single half-inning [ ]
Dramatic late-inning homer [ ]
Stolen base [ ]
Blown call [ ]
Blown call costs game [ ]
Caught stealing []
Idiot runs on the field [ ]
Regular-season starter warms up in bullpen [ ]
Game goes into extras [ ]
Shapeshifting strikezone [ ]
Replay review [ ]
Inning-Ending DP [ ]
Play at the plate [ ]
Baserunning blunder [ ]
Bunt [ ]
THIS TRAIN! [X]
Balk [ ]
Game Goes past midnight []
WILD BRIAN WILSON APPEARS [ ]
Cardinals crazy comeback retrospective [ ]
FREESE! [ ]
Pitcher gets a hit [ ]
Buster Posey does something awesome [ ]
Barry Bonds mentioned [ ]
FOX personality pointed out in crowd [ ]
NFL reference (beyond reference to NFL on FOX commercials) [ ]
Reference to McCarver's singing album [ ]
Mark McGwire mentioned by name [ ]
Willie Mays is in the crowd [ ]
Triples alley mentioned [ ]
Ball goes into McCovey cove [ ]
Pujols mentioned [ ]
"Catching Molina Brother" [ ]
FOX introduces us to a commercial that becomes a meme [ ]
Joe Buck and Tim McCarver spend extended amount of time talking about Jeter [ ]
"Torture" mentioned [ ]
Cardinals are behind at any point [ ]
Carlos Beltran does something awesome [ ]
Mention that Matheny hadn't managed anything above his son's little league team before this year []
Replay of Hunter Pence pumping everyone up [ ]
Game 6 2011 WS flashback [ ]
Leonard/Ozzie Smith era Cardinals referenced [ ]
All the remaining managers were catchers [ ]
Mention that Tim McCarver was a catcher []

nitpick.... Leonard/Ozzie Smith era is a Giant/Cardinal reference, not just a Cardinals reference.

nitpick.... Leonard/Ozzie Smith era is a Giant/Cardinal reference, not just a Cardinals reference.

Ah, sorry about that. I'll fix it next page.

I just didn't want anyone thinking we were having a Cardinal specific check, recommended by a noted Cardinal fan.

Bochy says he'll probably go with Lincecum in Game 4, then choose between Zito and Bumgarner for Game 5, if there is one. All subject to relief needs in the next two games. Link

watching the pre game show and it's funny he's contrasting the pitchers and is showing the placement of the catchers glove and the actual location for the Beltran Homerun saying lack of execution....then he points to Lincecum and says Lincecum going inside makes them aware of the plate and then they show a pitch that was absolutely, 100% the definition of lack of execution. It worked because the mistake was in the area where failure to execute just result in a ball or hbp, but it wasn't like Lincecum had perfected his control during those early pitches.

The Cardinals' anal raping of the playoffs needs to continue!

comments like these are why everybody hates us!

comments like these are why everybody hates us!

At least you guys seem to like your team though....

Grateful Dead... and Tim Flannery....

That's... unusual.

Grateful Dead... and Tim Flannery....

That's... unusual.

Is it?

Okay, maybe it isn't.

They showed the Hunter Pence pep speech in the pregame show.

God, Buck has some forehead.

They showed the Hunter Pence pep speech in the pregame show.

I usually keep it to game broadcast itself.

It is common to dump on Seilig for lots of stuff, and he deserves lots of it, but the Stand up to Cancer effort is one of the most important things attempted outside the lines of the game, and I believe it has been done well.

On to the game

BREAKING: Sun Monster spotted in San Francisco. Get Bryce Harper on the phone, STAT!

Agreed on SU2C, 40, totally agreed.

Nice catch with the sun.

I should have suggested the Vogy retrospective

I don't care very much, but I do wonder how this game will draw against MNF.

Beltran being at the plate (and the showing of the "most NL postseason homers" graphic) makes me wonder: How does one earn the designation "Future Hall of Famer?" Is there a petition we can sign to give this label to someone like Beltran? Would it help if we just start using it amongst ourselves?

I don't care very much, but I do wonder how this game will draw against MNF.

I don't know, but I'm sure tomorrow somebody will claim that a billion-dollar-plus industry that has the highest attendance of any sports organization in the world is "dying".

Holliday is absolutely brutal on the basebpaths if you are a fielder.

The career retro just keeps on going

The take-out slide and catcher collisions are so stupid.

Yeah, someone needs to get a ball in the ribs for that, I'd say.