After their extra inning walk off win last night, the San Francisco Giants are looking to top themselves this afternoon against the Oakland A’s. The fireworks haven’t exactly been coming from either team’s offense in this Bay Bridge Series, but instead from their pitching staffs; and today likely will be no different.
Tim Lincecum and Brett Anderson will have it out for the second pitcher’s duel of the series in as many games, forcing skipper Bruce Bochy to make a slight adjustment to his lineup. Pat Burrell will get his first start in the last 3 games, putting Nate Schierholtz back on the bench, at least for a few innings.
The usual late inning defensive replacement hasn’t been dominating at the plate, but certainly has in right field, making the game winning catch in L.A. on Thursday and gunning out a runner at second yesterday. Both Burrell and Schierholtz have only had 2 carrer at bats against Anderson, with Burrell 1-2 with a double. Schierholtz is 2-2 with a home run and 3 RBI, but Bochy wanted to go with the veteran anyway.
Personally I would have gone with Nate today, especially since he’s been so hot with the leather as of late. But Bochy’s lineup hunches rarely are wrong, so I’m not going to argue.
Your San Francisco Giants:
1. Andres Torres CF
2. Freddy Sanchez 2B
3. Buster Posey C
4. Pat Burrell LF
5. Cody Ross RF
6. Aubrey Huff 1B
7. Miguel Tejada 3B
8. Mike Fontenot SS
9. Tim Lincecum P