Giants vs. Cardinals NLCS: Tim Lincecum to start series in bullpen

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy tells reporters, including Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area, the plan is to have right-handed pitcher Tim Lincecum available out of the bullpen for the first two games of the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Lincecum, 28, is a candidate to start Game 4 for the Giants against the Cardinals, as is left-handed starting pitcher Barry Zito. It was Zito getting the start last series, but the southpaw was chased after just 2 2/3 innings of work.

Since Bochy does not need to announce his Game 4 starter yet, he has decided to keep his options open and make the two candidates for the start available to work relief, if needed, for the first two games.

The Giants will play back-to-back games on Sunday and Monday evening against the Cardinals at AT&T Park as the teams battle it out to see who will move on for a chance to win the World Series. There will be a travel day on Tuesday before the teams play three straight games in St. Louis.