When does protecting a young player stop?
When you are in a playoff race? One would think so.
I wouldn’t have such a problem with Tim Lincecum missing a start if the Giants were where they were last season — not fighting for their playoff lives.
The Giants protected their young ace for the years they weren’t in the race, so he could be the guy to lead them to the postseason someday.
Well, that day is now.
I’m sure this decision was not Lincecum’s, but the decision of the Giants and their staff. And if the Cy Young award winner could, he would have pitched against the Padres on Tuesday.
But he was held out, and the Giants lost and now find themselves four games out of the Wild Card.
With a terrible offense, their hopes now rely on the shoulders of Linceum and Matt Cain.
Without either of them, the Giants have no shot at making the playoffs.
That is why I really hope Lincecum is truly hurt — something that could provide future risk.
If not, you have to question the decision the Giants made.
He says he is pretty confident that he’ll make his next start on Monday, but by then, it may be too late.
