2012 NLCS Game One

AP

Madison Bumgarner started for the Giants and was looking to make more headlines than his seem to be doppleganger.  His most recent start was on Oct. 7th in the Divisional Series against the Reds. He went only 4.1 innings giving up 4 earned runs and got the loss. 

Lance Lynn started for the Cardinals. Last time Lynn pitched this happen.  He is making the start most likely due to the Jaime Garcia injury. He has supplied valuable bullpen innings for the Cardinals in the Divisional Series . (He didn't record an out when he gave up the home-run to Werth.) Lynn faced the Giants only once during the regular season. He lost that game going 6 innings giving up 8 hits and 4 runs. 

Starting Pitchers Struggle- Maybe they should be used like relievers.   

Bumgarner's line ended up as 3.2 innings pitched, 8 hits, 6 ER, 2 HR and only 2 K'.

• Through 3 innings he had given up 2 ER and 4 hits. 
• 4th inning 4 ER and 4 hits.
• 1st time through the order Cardinals were 3 for 8 with the Freese home-run.
• 2nd time through the order 3-9. 
• 3rd time though the order 2-2. Single and a home-run.

Lynn's line was 3.2 innings pitched, 5 hits, 4 ER, 2BB and 3K's. 

• First three innings allowing no hits and 1 walk.
• 1st time through the order the Giants were 0-8 with 2 strikeouts
• 2nd time through the order the Giants were 5-8. 4 runs, 3 singles, a double and a triple.

Bummgarner's Tough Innings

Bumgarner ran into trouble in the 2nd inning as Molina singled on a high fastball. David Freese saw 6 pitches from Bumgarner before he hit the 3-2 fastball over the left-field wall. It looked like they were trying to bust Freese in throughout the whole at bat, but Bumgarner failed to get that pitch inside enough. Bumgarner did allow to more runners in that inning by giving up a single to Descalso and walking Lance Lynn. 
Trouble came again for Bumgarner in the 4th inning. He started off betting lucky by leaving a fastball up to David Freese that died in center-field. Descalso double down the 1st-base line followed by Kozma doubling down the 3rd-base line. Then Kozma stole 3rd, which Tim McGarver made a big deal about it after he already highlighted a Molina pick off in last year's playoff and Posey throwing out Jay Bruce in this years playoff. Bumgarner struck out Lynn, but then made a mistake to John Jay. Jay looked at an outside fastball for strike one. Then wiffed badly at a outside slider. Bumgarner tried to up with a fastball, but Jay singled to center. Beltran made him pay by hitting a low inside slider for a home-run to left field. This knocked Bumgarner out of the game down 6-0. 

Lynn's Tough Inning

Scutaro singled to lead off the bottom of the 4th inning. He continues to hit like Melky gave him the goods or like I expected when I drafted him in my fantasy league. I did not reap the rewards because I dropped him because he hit .259 and .255 in April and May. Lynn struck out Sandoval and still looked great busting him inside with a fastball. 3-2 count to Posey and Lynn induced a weak fly-ball to right-field from Posey. Pence almost literally hit a seeing - eye - single to right field, Scutaro advanced to third. Belt followed with a single to center on the first, plating Scutaro and advancing Pence to 3rd.  Blanco hit a 1-2 fastball for a triple to center field. Score 6-3. Crawford fouled off a good 2-3 pitch then hit a double on a meatball fastball. 6-4. Lynn walked Aubrey Huff and that was the last batter he faced.  

Relievers Dominate

Giants Bullpen- 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's, 0 H. Lincecum came in in threw 2 innings, giving up one walk, but obviously not facing any batter more than once. 

Cardinals Bullpen - 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K's, 2 Hits. Only allowed 4 baserunners in those 5+ innings. The Giants only got 2 runners on in the 5th and that was the last time a Giants base-runner would be in scoring position.

Postseason baseball is still nine innings, but requires a different mindset as a manager. There is not the 162 games looming and often there is not a game the next day. I am sure there will be discussion about Linsecum deserving to be in the rotation. But, why? He has been effective out of the bullpen and the bullpen is extremely important.  

Maybe the Rockies have it right.