2010 MLB Playoffs: Giants Vs. Braves Kicks Off With Tim Lincecum, Derek Lowe
Cox announced before the start of the season that this would be his last year and the Braves responded with their first playoff appearance since 2005. However, both the Giants and Braves needed the final day of a 162-game schedule to punch their respective tickets to the postseason.
Atlanta managed to win the wild card on the season's final day by defeating Philadelphia, while the Giants fended off the San Diego Padres to capture the National League West and their first postseason berth since 2003.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy took over the club in 2006 and had finished no better than third place in the division standings. Now he's finally at the top with a rotation back on course, a solid bullpen and a handful of hitters ready to go to war.
Bochy likes what he is seeing from his players right now, saying how every member is pulling for one another and continues to be on the same page in pursuit of one goal: a World Series title. Aces such as Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez, and closer Brian Wilson have helped pave the way for San Francisco. Rookie catcher Buster Posey, the additions of Pat Burrell, Jose Guillen and Cody Ross, and the emergence of Andres Torres and Aubrey Huff were all major storylines to San Francisco's success.
Lincecum, the reigning two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, will start Game 1 of the NLDS against Atlanta's Derek Lowe.
The 26-year-old Lincecum will not make it a three-peat for the prestigious pitching honor, as a winless August threw the right-hander off course. He lost all five August starts, but rebounded by winning five of his last six outings of the regular season.
Lincecum split his two starts to the Braves this season, but pitched to a 4.13 ERA and struck out 39 batters in 32 1/3 innings. He also walked 14 in those starts too.
Cox, meanwhile, has a few good arms on his staff too, and rode them all the way back to the playoffs in his final season at the post. Exchanging NL East leads with the division-champion Phillies occurred often, while an incredible 56-25 home record enabled the Braves to stay on track. The Braves salvaged the finale of a three-game set versus Philadelphia on Sunday to clinch their spot.
Lowe is a big reason why the Braves are back in the postseason, as he won his final five starts to post a 16-12 mark to go along with a 4.00 ERA. He also beat the Giants both times he faced them, pitching to a 2.38 ERA in doing so.
Of course, Lowe is no stranger to the postseason, appearing in 21 games (10 starts) and going 5-5 with a 3.33 ERA.
There are some questions concerning Atlanta's offense, as All-Star third baseman Chipper Jones went down in August with a severe knee injury, while infielder Martin Prado was also lost for the season with a torn oblique muscle and left hip pointer.
The ballclub did its best to stay in contention by acquiring slugging first baseman Derrek Lee from the Chicago Cubs. It took a while for Lee to get into a groove with his new teammates, but it was worth the wait.
Atlanta won four of seven matchups with San Francisco this season. The Giants took two of three at home from the Braves in April.
