The Power of Tim

Admittedly, I don't watch a lot of National League baseball so maybe I should know more about the Giants players.  But this series has been fun to watch and I keep asking myself this:  What's not to like about the Giants?  First of all they had the guts to let Melky Cabrera, the early front runner for the batting title and possibly the MVP, sit home and watch the playoffs after he returned from his steroid suspension.  Sounds like a good way to build chemistry and show faith in the guys that got them to the playoffs in the first place.

Then there has been the barrage of unsung heroes throughout this improbable run the Giants are on.  Most ridiculous of all was of course Pablo Sandoval hitting 3 home runs in game 1 of the World Series after hitting only 12 home runs during the entire regular season.  Ryan Vogelsong is a 35 year old journeyman who has given up 3 runs in 4 starts this postseason largely due to pinpoint accuracy and the guts to relentlessly throw inside to the big right handed hitters he has faced.  Barry Zito has been a huge factor and he should have been out of the league years ago given how low he sunk.  And but for a season ending arm injury to their sure thing, eccentric closer Brian Wilson, we wouldn't have had the opportunity to watch Sergio Romo do his thing and completely shut down the high powered Detroit offense with slider after slider.  Unsung heroes are fun to watch!  I thank the Giants for proving once again to sports fans everywhere that on big stages non-superstars often shine brighter than the superstars they face.

But  I think one thing has been the difference and will lead the Giants to the title.  Tim Lincecum.  He was their ace, a true superstar two time Cy young winner.  Rather than letting him flounder and hurt the team during his struggles this year, Bruce Bochy demoted him to the bullpen.  He got Tim to accept the new role and somehow, at the perfect time, Tim mastered it.  The Giants pitching has been dominate and I have to believe that knowing Tim Lincecum is sitting in the bullpen ready go and go for long stretches has to be mentally relaxing and freeing for the starters.  Each starter knows they can relax a little bit because it isn't all on them.  If they aren't sharp that day, Tim is ready.  I have to believe it changes the mentality of every player on the Giants team. 

What a luxury for these overachieving pitchers, knowing that if they can't bring their best on the biggest stage they happen to have a young two time Cy young award winner waiting to step up and back them up.  In a game where inches can change the outcome of a game, a series, a season, Tim Lincecum's ability to accept, adjust and thrive in an unfamiliar role has to be a huge factor in the fact that the Giants will win the World Series in 2012.