Might Giants bring Matt Cain back in 2018? Plus lineups

KANSAS CITY — Here is a simple premise: A 33-year-old healthy pitcher who can throw a 90-mph fastball and mix in at least two secondary pitches can succeed as a major-league starter if he also has good command of those pitches.

That premise is indisputable. It also helps explain why Matt Cain has allowed two earned runs over 12 innings and helped the Giants to two of their six victories, including Tuesday night's 2-1, 11-inning contest.

Which leads to this admittedly premature and provocative question: What if this really isn't Cain's final year with the Giants? What if he is back in 2018?

I'll take a deep breath here and acknowledge that two good starts proves nothing and might not even buy…