SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Zito was a bystander two years ago when the Giants made history by winning its first World Series since moving to San Francisco from New York in 1958.
Wednesday night, the left-hander will be the Giants’ starting pitcher when they open the World Series against the Detroit Tigers and ace Justin Verlander at 8:07 p.m. ET at AT&T Park.
The $126-million man has gone from pariah to savior in two years. Once considered the millstone that prevented the Giants from acquiring the big hitter they had long needed because of his contract, Zito went 15-8 with a 4.15 ERA this season after going 43-61 with a 4.55 ERA in the first five years of his contract.
Zito saved his biggest performance of 2012 for Game 5 in the National League Championship Series when he shut out the St. Louis Cardinals for 7 2/3 innings to help the Giants begin their comeback from a 3-1 deficit and win the series in seven games.
Zito, though, downplayed the symbolism that comes with the Game 1 start.
“It’s not important to reflect right now,” Zito said after the Giants worked out Tuesday at AT&T Park. “There’s work to do. I’m going to be on the mound here in the next 24 hours, so that’s where my focus is at.”
Giants manager Bruce Bochy was happy to break the news to Zito, even though it took a while. Zito left his cell phone in his locker in the Giants’ clubhouse Monday night after San Francisco wrapped the NLCS with a 9-0 victory.
“I couldn’t be happier for him,” Bochy said. “It says a lot about his mental toughness, his makeup. It wasn’t easy not to put him on the postseason roster (in 2010). He was struggling in September. But the way he handled it was so impressive. He went out and threw a bullpen that day, and throughout the postseason he kept himself ready in case something happened.
“He didn’t hang his head and he even threw (batting practice). He said, ‘I’ll keep myself ready; if you need me, I’ll be ready.’ This is the way he’s been the whole time he’s been here.”
Zito is part of a reshuffled rotation after the Giants needed to go the full seven games to beat the Cardinals. Left-hander Madison Bumgarner will pitch Game 2 and be followed by right-handers Ryan Vogelsong and Matt Cain.
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum will be used as a reliever.
After Verlander, the Tigers will start fellow right-handers Doug Fister, Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer.
Lincecum led the NL in losses this season as he went 10-15 with 5.18 ERA in 33 starts. He allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings while losing Game 4 of the NLCS but has given up only one run in 8 1/3 innings in three relief appearances this postseason.
“It’s one of your most difficult things you have to do as a manager, particularly when you’re talking to a star player, a guy that’s won a Cy Young and wants to be out there and that’s been out there really all year for you,” Bochy said. “At this point we feel we are better off with Timmy as a reliever, and he understood, and he knew he wasn’t throwing the ball well and the other starters were throwing the ball great.”
Bumgarner will get a chance to return to the rotation in Game 2. He did not pitch again in the NLCS after getting shelled for six runs in 3 2/3 innings in Game 1.
Bumgarner has lost both postseason starts, giving up 10 runs in eight innings.
“I’m thankful for another shot,” said Bumgarner, who was 16-11 with a 3.37 ERA in the regular season. “I know I’m a heckuva lot better than I’m shown so far in October.”