It's a big day for San Francisco Giants fans as newly acquired slugger Carlos Beltran will be making his debut in the Black and Orange Thursday night against the Philadelphia Phillies, while an ailing Tim Lincecum will return to the mound tonight after missing his start on Tuesday due to a stomach illness.
Lincecum (8-8 2.90 ERA) is coming off a hard to swallow loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers last week as he was out-dueled by Clayton Kershaw, even as Timmy threw seven innings of one run ball on five hits with seven strikeouts. Even though he says he is back to full strength it will be interesting to see how he fares in muggy Philadelphia in front of a frantic crowd at Citizen's Bank Park.
Timmy will go up against Kyle Kendrick (5-4 3.45 ERA) for the Phillies, who is coming off a no decision against the San Diego Padres when he lasted five and 2/3 innings along with six hits, three runs, and one strikeout in a 8-6 Philly win.
As for Beltran, he will likely be batting third tonight for the Giants, starting in right field. Beltran is batting .323 in July with nine doubles, three homers and 12 RBI thus far. Hopefully he can keep his stroke going with San Francisco tonight and for the rest of the season.
First pitch is set for 4:05 pm PT this evening with coverage on CSN Bay Area, MLB Network, and KNBR 680 AM.