SAN FRANCISCO — Focusing on their playoff fortunes rather than trying to satisfy the home crowd, the San Francisco Giants announced Thursday that Madison Bumgarner will skip his scheduled start in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the San Diego Padres.
Instead, the Giants will start the ace left-hander Wednesday in the win-or-go-home National League wild-card game.
San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy made the announcement shortly after his club clinched a playoff spot when the Milwaukee Brewers lost Thursday afternoon.
After consulting with his coaching staff and general manager Brian Sabean, Bochy said Bumgarner would get the playoff start against either the St. Louis Cardinals or Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Giants currently list Sunday’s starter as TBA. Sabean said Thursday that right-hander Tim Lincecum is a candidate to get the start if home-field advantage in the wild-card game is at stake. Otherwise, Bochy likely will choose a pitcher who won’t be on the postseason roster.
Lincecum pitched in relief in Thursday’s 9-8 win over the Padres, throwing just two pitches. Despite his shortest outing ever in the majors, he recorded his 100th career win.
The Giants are one game behind the Pirates and two behind the Cardinals with three games to play. Pittsburgh and St. Louis are also battling for the National League Central title, but all three teams are assured of no worse than a wild-card playoff berth.