Tim Lincecum Should Start Game 1 for the San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants have had a wonderful run while mowing down the National League's best. 

Now they have the pleasure of playing in the 2012 World Series, against a very tough Detroit Tigers team. 

After beating the Oakland Athletics 3-2 in a best-of-five, the Tigers stomped the Yankees en-route to a 4-0 sweep.

The Giants have their work cut out for them, to say the least. 

But they've done their fair share of damage, too. 

After going down 2-0, the Giants came back to beat the Cincinnati Reds in five games in the NLDS. They then went on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship after falling behind in the series, 3-1. 

While the Giants' hitting continues to provide insurance for their starting pitchers, it will be important to learn from the NLCS. 

Throughout the postseason, Ryan Vogelsong has been nothing short of spectacular for the Giants. He started three games, won two and had an ERA of 1.42 while striking out 18. He should start in Game 2, making him eligible (and worthy) for a Game 6 or Game 7 start should the series get that far. 

Matt Cain was also phenomenal for the Giants, throwing 5.2 scoreless frames in Game 7. If he gets the start in Game 4 of the Fall Classic, he'll be fully rested and might even have a chance to clinch the series if the Giants manage to win the first three games. Worst case scenario, with three days rest, Cain could be available for the final game in a relief role. 

The same can be said for Barry Zito, who should get the start in Game 3 after pitching a scoreless masterpiece in the fourth game of the NLCS. 

As it stands, Madison Bumgarner is the worst Giants starter of the MLB postseason, and should get the start in Game 5.

This ensures that both Vogelsong and Cain will see action in the final two games of the series, if they're necessary. 

After a great performance in the divisional series, Lincecum went 6.1 innings with five earned runs against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the NLCS.  

However, it's still Tim Lincecum. 

You know, the two-time CY Young Award Winner? 

If Lincecum can put on a good showing for the Giants in Game 1, not only does he make it easier for his team to win the World Series, but he regains some much needed faith from his skipper and coaches. 

Given the Giants' pitching rotation, this wouldn't be a bad way to start the 2012 World Series, especially with Vogelsong, Zito and Cain to follow.