SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tim Lincecum’s turn in the rotation is being pushed up a day to Wednesday against Arizona, making the San Francisco Giants’ ace available for a one-game playoff Monday with San Diego if the NL West title comes to that.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy also could decide to pitch the two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner on short rest Sunday in the season finale against the Padres if need be, though the hard-throwing righty hasn’t gone on three days’ rest in the majors.
Entering Tuesday night, the Giants lead the Padres by one game in the division race.
With Lincecum pitching Wednesday — still on normal rest — rookie Madison Bumgarner will now go in Wednesday afternoon’s series finale with the Diamondbacks.
Lincecum is 15-10 with a 3.51 ERA this season. After a career-worst five-start losing streak, he is 4-1 with a 2.08 ERA in his past five outings.
