Tim Lincecum is a 2 time NL Cy Young Winner, a 4 time NL All-Star, and a World Series Champion, but what's wrong with him? After three very poor outings, Giants fans everywhere are wondering exactly what is wrong with their ace pitcher? I was able to watch Lincecum's first outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks in which he got rocked. He did two things that he did not do in all of the 2011 season which was give up two homeruns in the same inning, and give up a homerun in the first. Lincecum got the lost that day after pitching 5 1/3 innings, with 6 hits, 1 walk, 5 runs, and an ending ERA of 8.44. His next start was not much better after the entire Colorado Rockies had his number. Lincecum only pitched 2 1/3 innings with 8 hits, 2 walks, 6 runs, and a rising ERA of 12.96. Last night against the Phillies, Lincecum's struggles continued as he "dueled" against Doc Halladay. In his longest outing of 6 innings pitched, Lincecum gave up 8 hits, 1 walk, 5 runs, and lowered his ERA to 10.54. Now Lincecum is 0-2 and since 2007, he has never allowed at least five runs in more than two straight games. He has allowed a total of 16 runs this year, marking that the first time he has given up that many runs in a three-game span. Who knows what is going on with "The Freak" but apparently neither does he. After his start against the Rockies and before last night's game against the Phillies, Lincecum cut off a considerable amount of his hair, maybe to remedy his poor starts. In 2011, Tim finished 13-14, but with an ERA of 2.74, the reason behind his poor win-loss record can be attributed to the Giants lack of offensive power, finishing 2nd to last in the National League. Now the Giants are facing more problems losing closer Brain Wilson to Tommy John surgery, his second of his lifetime. Two years after winning the World Series, the Giants are scratching their heads trying to find out what they did wrong. Was it getting rid of Pat Burrell? Or is it that Tim Lincecum is smoking too much marijuana? Who knows, but in my opinion, it's getting harder to compete in the NL West with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks starting off the season red-hot. I know that I say this often, but I remember going to Tim Lincecum's Major League debut back in 2007 against the Phillies. I remember him looking goofy and also looked like he was 12 at the time, but I never knew that he would become a 2 time Cy Young winner. I really don't mind Tim Lincecum and even think that he is an amazing pitcher, especially for his size, but I hope "The Freak" can regain his former stature.
Do you think that he could end up turning like Ubaldo Jimenez? Before leaving the Rockies he had a similar track record. But all in all this could be just a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think so, Jimenez is not nearly as successful as Lincecum. Tim Lincecum I feel as though is just going through a "rough patch" and will find his groove because that's what he does. Jimenez had one good year and then was upset when he did not receive a large contract like other players on the team. In 5 previous seasons in the big leagues, Lincecum has been voted the NL Cy Young for two of them and an All-Star for 4 of them. He will come around.
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