Monday's Best MLB Mound Matchup
Madison Bumgarner, San Franciso Giants vs. Derek Lowe, Atlanta Braves
Madison Bumgarner (7-6, 3.00 ERA)
The San Francisco Giants are putting their faith in a 21-year-old rookie making his postseason debut to pitch them past the Atlanta Braves after taking a 2-1 series lead on Sunday.
“He's got great poise out there and good stuff,” Giants skipper Bruce Bochy said of Bumgarner. “The kid has no fear. He is a young kid that has a great way about how he handles things.”
Bumgarner, who was the 10th overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, was called up from Triple-A Fresno in late June and after dropping his first two starts, he rebounded to go 7-4 with a 2.78 ERA for San Francisco. He ended up striking out 84 batters while walking 24 in 111 1-3 innings for the Giants.
Bumgarner hasn’t pitched since Sept. 30, so he’ll be toeing the rubber on 10 days’ rest.
Derek Lowe (16-12, 4.00 ERA)
Pitching on short rest is nothing new for veteran right-hander Derek Lowe, who will take the mound on three days’ rest as he tries to help his Braves avoid elimination.
This will be the 10th time that Lowe’s thrown on three or fewer days of rest in his career and is 5-1 over those games. Three of those instances occurred in the postseason – one relief appearance and two starts – with Lowe posting a 1-0 record.
Lowe has a 5-6 career record in postseason play with a 3.24 ERA. He took the 1-0 loss in Game 1, but the Giants aren’t concerned about fatigue at this point.
“He only went 5 1/3 innings, and if you subtract the intentional walk, he threw 88 pitches,” Braves manager Bobby Cox told reporters. “He should be good. He’s fired up about it. Even before we started these playoffs, he was politicking for Game 4. He got it.”
Lowe is 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA over his last five starts against the Giants.
Braves in peril versus Giants
By: Michael Robinson
The Atlanta Braves are staring elimination in the face when they host the San Francisco Giants in Game 4 on Monday night. They trail the best-of-five series 2-1.
San Francisco started the series strong on Thursday. Ace Tim Lincecum had a complete-game two-hitter, striking out 14. He became the first pitcher since 1986 to throw a 1-0 shutout in a postseason debut.
The Giants let a great chance slip away in Game 2 on Friday. Matt Cain pitched 6 2/3 innings, with the team leading 4-1 after seven. However, Atlanta tied the game in the eighth and won (5-4) in the 11th on a home run by deadline acquisition Rick Ankiel.
The Braves almost had another comeback on Sunday night. Eric Hinske hit a two-run homer off reliever Sergio Romo in the eighth inning for a 2-1 lead. However, the Giants scored two runs in the ninth for a thrilling 3-2 win.
Atlanta really missed closer Billy Wagner as Craig Kimbrel and Mike Dunn couldn’t get the job done. Wagner (oblique) got injured in Game 2 and is out until at least the World Series. Takashi Saito was added to the roster in his place.
Atlanta manager Bobby Cox had an easy decision to make for Game 4. Brandon Beachy (0-2, 3.00 ERA) was the scheduled starter, but he has just three career starts and was only a candidate due to Jair Jurrjens’ injury.
This is Cox’s last year and he’ll start Derek Lowe (16-12, 4.00 ERA in the regular season). He was the hard-luck loser opposing Lincecum in Game 1, surrendering one earned run and four hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Pitching on short rest is nothing new to the 37-year-old veteran righty. He pitched on three days rest versus Florida in an important Sept. 29 home game. He allowed one earned run over 5 2/3 innings in a 5-1 win. Lowe was 5-0 with a 1.17 ERA in September.
Lowe is 10-5 with a 3.72 ERA at home. He started against San Francisco there on August 8. He got the 6-3 win after allowing two earned runs over 5 1/3 innings.
San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy will announce his Game 4 starter soon. Rookie lefty rookie Madison Bumgarner (7-6, 3.00 ERA) is the scheduled starter after last pitching on Sept. 30. It’s believed Bochy is heavily leaning his way with the series lead.
The 21-year-old has a 1.18 ERA in his last six starts. He didn’t face the Braves in his 18 starts after being called up in late June. San Francisco went 7-3 in his road starts, with Bumgarner sporting an impressive 1.91 ERA.
Lincecum is the other option to come back on three days rest. He threw 119 pitches on Thursday and the ace has never pitched on short rest in his MLB career. The Giants would love to wrap up the series with Bumgarner and save Lincecum for Game 1 of the NLCS.
Mike Winters will call balls and strikes. The Giants are 0-4 in his last four games behind home plate.
First pitch on Monday is 5:37 p.m. (PT). Weather should start around 70 degrees and dip into the 60s.
A deciding Game 5 will be played Wednesday in San Francisco if necessary. Tommy Hanson will start for Atlanta, with Matt Cain on regular rest if Lincecum gets the unlikely Monday start.
Tips and Trends
San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves
GIANTS: San Francisco is 1 win away from their first NLCS since 2002. The Giants have been so successful this year thanks to their starting pitching, and the playoffs have been no exception. San Francisco has been playing meaningful games for quite some time in the National League West division. San Francisco is 43-38 SU this season away from home. The Giants are +15.03 and -3.15 units both SU and on the RL respectively this year. Young pitcher Madison Bumgarner will make the road start tonight, as he will be pitching for the first time since September 30th. Bumgarner will be facing pressure that he hasn't faced before, in addition to the extra days off. Bumgarner is 7-6 SU this year, with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.31 this season. The Giants are 7-2 in their last 9 road games against a team with a winning record. San Francisco is 5-2 in their last 7 Monday games. The Giants are 2-5 in their last 7 games against the National League East.
Giants are 1-5 last 6 Divisional Playoff road games.
Over is 7-3 last 10 Divisional Playoff games.
Key Injuries - C Buster Posey (ribs) is probable.
Projected Score: 4
BRAVES: (-150, O/U 7) Atlanta is facing elimination, as they trail the Giants 2-1 in their best of 5 series. Legendary coach Bobby Cox could be coaching his final game today in what is sure to be a Hall of Fame career. Atlanta lost 2-3 in Game 3, giving up 2 runs in the top of the 9th to lose the game in heartbreaking fashion. Atlanta has been dominant at home this year, going 56-25 SU there. The Braves are -0.86 and +11.05 units both SU and ATS this season. Derek Lowe will make the home start for the Braves tonight, as he is 16-12 SU this year with an ERA of 4.00 and a WHIP of 1.37 this season. Lowe very well might be the best option for Atlanta to avoid elimination tonight, as he's a crafty veteran that has dealt with pressure before. The Braves are 5-12 in their last 17 playoff home games. Atlanta is 1-4 in their last 5 games against the National League West.
Braves are 15-6 last 21 home games against a team with a winning road record.
Over is 8-1 last 9 Divisional Playoff games.
Key Injuries - RP Billy Wagner (oblique) is out.
Projected Score: 5 (OVER-Total of the Day)