In the past few weeks, manager Bruce Bochy has expressed an immense amount of confidence in his two-time NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum. Bochy has stated that he believes Lincecum will turn it around in the second half of the season. It looks like general manager Brian Sabean isn't quite as keen on giving Lincecum a long leash.
Thursday on KNBR, Sabean said that the team may consider benching Lincecum (3-10, 6.42 ERA) if his next start goes sour. In his last two starts before the All-Star break, Lincecum could not get past the fourth inning, and if he has a third straight poor outing, the Giants will have to reconsider how much leeway they give him.
"I don't want to put added pressure on him, but sometimes you have to do what's right," manager Bruce Bochy said. "I said this in Pittsburgh: I (believe) he's going to bounce back and have a better second half. We certainly need him."
This is a bit contradictory to what Bochy said last week, but it makes sense considering Lincecum's struggles. Though they still perceive him as an ace on the staff, he performance this season has been among the worst in the league among regular starters. Giants brass is trying to boost Lincecum's confidence, but they also know that they are only going to be able to wait so long for him to turn things around.
Hopefully Lincecum can put the first half in the rear view mirror. If the Giants plan on making a run at the playoffs they are going to need him in much better form.
"I look forward to watching him pitch Saturday," Bochy said. "Hopefully, he'll go out there and throw the ball the way he can."
Connor Rose is a Chat Sports senior writer. E-mail him at: connorarose@gmail.com or reach him on Twitter: @connorarose.
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