Poll
What should the Giants do with Tim Lincecum?
Your vote has been counted, thank you for voting.
When you settle into your easy chair for the All-Star Game this evening, one Giants pitcher will be noticeably absent.
For the first time since his 2007 rookie season, Tim Lincecum isn't on the National League team.
Lincecum, who won the Cy Young Award in 2008 and 2009, started the 2009 game. But now, in this summer of 2012, Giants fans keep asking, "Where have you gone, Timmy Jim?"
Is Lincecum, only 28 and in just his sixth season, simply in a slump, as many fans hope? Or is something more serious wrong?
He's 3-10 with a 6.42 ERA, last among starters who have pitched enough innings to qualify for the ERA title, and in his 18 starts, the Giants are 4-14. He has won just one of his past nine decisions, and the Giants have won just two of his past 13 starts.
After the right-hander beat the Dodgers 3-0 on June 27 – he allowed just four hits in seven innings – it appeared the old Lincecum was back. But he hasn't made it out of the fourth inning in his past two starts, allowing 13 earned runs in 62/3 innings.
Even though Lince- cum is hurting the team – "When you're the weakest link, that wears on you," he said after Sunday's pounding by the Pirates – manager Bruce Bochy has said Lincecum will start Saturday against the Astros at AT&T Park.
If Lincecum is rocked again, Bochy must consider making a very difficult move. Does he send his former ace to the bullpen – or demote him to Triple-A Fresno?
What to watch
Baseball, All-Star Game, 4:30 p.m., FOX40: Matt Cain, now the Giants' best pitcher, starts for the National League.
Today's poll
What should the Giants do with Tim Lincecum?
• Send him to the bullpen
• Send him to Fresno
• Start him Saturday
Vote above or leave your comments in the comments field; or go to www.sacbee.com/sports
Monday's results
Where will you watch the All-Star Game?
• Home: 44%
• Sports bar: 1%
• Friend's house: 1%
• Won't watch: 54%
Total votes: 250
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