Game 104: Finally, it's Lincecum
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Game 104: Finally, it's Lincecum
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
It's overcast at Citizens Bank Park, but as far as the Giants are concerned, the future is bright. Tim Lincecum has finally overcome whatever illness befell him and will start in the series finale. And Carlos Beltran, acquired officially in a trade Wednesday, is here and will bat third for San Francisco.
Beltran arrives as the offensive leader for the Giants in just about every possible category. He's hitting .289 with a .904 OPS that ranks 10th in the National League. His 30 doubles are tied for the league lead. His on-base percentage is nearly 100 points higher than his batting average.
In other words, he's been very good, and basically what the Giants have craved ever since losing Buster Posey.
Beltran will meet the media sometime after 4 p.m. Bruce Bochy didn't need much convincing to surrender his No. 15 to Beltran. The manager will now wear No. 16.
The Phillies will have a taste of Beltran for one day. A Giants win snaps the Phillies streak of winning nine straight series. So the onus is on Kyle Kendrick.
Charlie Manuel fields his usual lineup against Lincecum:
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Michael Martinez 5
3. Chase Utley 4
4. Ryan Howard 3
5. Shane Victorino 8
6. Raul Ibanez 7
7. Domonic Brown 9
8. Carlos Ruiz 2
9. Kyle Kendrick 1
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
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One more thing, I don't understand why you guys give the Phils so much grief. You guys are awesome and no one wants to face the Phillies regular reason or playoffs!— rswahn52- Hey bruno, we would not have pitched Zito if there was a way around it.Timmy doesn't back down against ANYONE— rswahn52
Comment removed.- Definite mis-match for the Phillies. Or is it?— shawnmac
- and rube continues to sit on his thumb while everyone else gets better...do the world a favor and send brown far far away, liability, get a rosin bag while you can— tooltime
- Are you the Phil Paino I knew 50 years ago at Drexel?— LarryB2
- Are you the Phil Paino I knew 50 years ago at Drexel?— LarryB2
- Good no deal for Phils. We do not need an ageing right fielder with a bad knee to rent for the rest of the season. Go with the youger players they are your future stars.— phil paino
- Bruno - I'm not a fan of Bochy but if that is what he's doing, kudos to him. That's what a manager is supposed to do....whether it's a key strategic move or even some mind games....I can't blame Bochy for doing what he has to in order to give his team the best shot at winning. Hell, it'd be nice to see Cholly do something other than fill out the lineup card every night.— jimyd0315
- Get Jamie Carroll (cheap) from LA and you won't need to worry about MM or Valdez.— drunk13
- Shouldn't MM get a day off? He is a utility player and Valdez should get a start every so often.— stanbro
- C'mon Rueben- Vic,Poly,Chase,Pence,Howard,J-Roll,Raul,Chooch. Change the dynamics of this flat predictable offense. That sinking feeling we all had in last years NLCS came to rear its ugly head last night. Moving Howard to 5th would just give him one more RBI and just let J-Roll swing away. I know Cholly makes the line-up but give him a gander at this opinion. PLEASE!!!— bigphillydad
- I like how Lincccum was "ill" until he could pitch against Kyle Kendrick. I think Bochy is a sneeky little POS who is trying to take full advantage of us.— Bruno Sammartino
- The Giants didn't look like 2010's best team last night, and the Phils didn't look like the team with the best record in baseball this season. Lot of different angles to be worked tonight. Lincecum after the flu. Beltran's first night with a new team. Kendrick trying to give the Phils some innings. It might be a good game tonight. Personally, I'd be playing Mayberry in right field. The Phils can't afford to open up a hole in their defense. Mayberry's the right choice.
- I can RELY on Stutes. I know he's a Studd.— Ace-Philadelphia
- Beltran's a wise move for the Giants and would have been nice for the Phils but getting Oswalt & Polanco back will be a benefit. Still think Ruben's going to surprise us (maybe Kemp???). Worst case, which is pretty good, will be Melky & a back end relief pitcher to spell Bastardo & Stutes (young guys who shouldn't really be relied on yet).— Wheelermustgo
- I gotta agree... Beltran has disappeared for stretches of time over the years, and he's one twist of a knee away from being useless. Good call not to overpay for a rental.— Zaknafein
- I wouldn't mind Upton. He has as many HR as Beltran & plus added speed. He has to be an upgrade in the OF too— micconway
- Beltran is overrated and is a rental. The other guys had at least another year on their contracts/status when acquired. I bet Beltran will break down in late August.— palmyra21
- I'm sure RAJ has something up his sleeve...I have a feeling its Upton from the Rays...imagining an OF of Victorino, Upton, and Brown in 2012.— tralala
- Well, only one KK left in town now; and the trade clock keeps on ticking with RAJ under the radar, hunkered down...— M60tanker
- I'm fine without Beltran honestly. I think he had a nice 1/2 of season, but he doesn't hit Lefthanded pitching either— micconway
- I guess Pence didn't make sense or should I say "didn't make CENTS".— sonnybuoy01
- bad job not getting Beltran. It's easy to nitpick (traded Lee for Aumont then spent more to correct his mistake, overpaid moyer, gave blanton too much, etc) but Sabean vs Raj is a mismatch.— TooManyAdsOnThisSite
- YardBarker: "No Pence for Phillies"— n62
- From MLB trade rumors.com: "It appears that nothing will happen with Pence now and the Astros will look to trade him in the offseason instead, reports Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. Knobler says the Phillies "almost certainly won't get Pence."— n62
- Polonco and Oswalt are on there way back which is good news.— Bob65S
