Bay City Ball

The collective buzzing you might be hearing right now in the Giants community is that of Tim Lincecum. It’s official, Tim Lincecum will start the Sunday game against the Phillies in place of the injured Russ Ortiz, who is headed to the 15-day DL with elbow neuritis. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN as part of their Sunday Night Baseball.

After Ortiz’s last start against the Rockies, one in which he gave up 8 runs in 3.1 IP, the rumors started flying that Lincecum could soon be on his way to 24 Willie Mays Plaza. Lincecum has been dynamite in his short time in AAA Fresno, striking out 46 batters in just 31 innings of work.

The Giants will need to make a roster move when they bring up Lincecum. All signs are pointing towards Lance Niekro losing his big club seat. Niekro has struggled this year batting (.176/.222/.176). I liked the idea of having Niekro on the team as a PH but Sweeney has swung the bat nicely since his return making Niekro expendable.

Lincecum will face a lineup with a lot of firepower on Sunday. Rollins, Utley, Howard, and Burrell make a solid heart of the order for the Phillies. Regardless, I’ll be very excited to watch Lincecum on TV after all the hype has surrounded him. It’s been awhile since the Giants community has been this excited about prospect, best of luck to Tim!