How crucial is game 3?

Game 3 of the Giants-Braves series has a lot riding on it, for both teams. It is fact that if one team has a 2-1 series lead in a 5 game series that team goes onto win the series 77% of the time. The Braves are looking to carry their momentum from Friday night’s win and take a 2-1 series lead with a chance to finish off the Giants in game 4 at home. The Giants have other ideas in mind. The outcome of game 3 is of utmost importance to the Giants as their gameplan will change drastically depending on the final score.

After that gut wrenching loss in San Francisco Friday night, the Giants can do nothing but pick themselves back up and come out with a vengeance in game 3. They are going to need a strong outing from Jonathan Sanchez and the bullpen is going to need to perform better than they did Friday night. Batters like Torres, Huff, Posey, and Uribe need to wake up their bats and provide more offensive firepower. They need to be less aggressive in the batter’s box and not strikeout or ground into an inning ending double play with the bases loaded and only 1 out in the bottom of the 10th.

Can Bruce Bochy lead the Giants to a win at Atlanta in game 3? Picture courtesy of www.sportsnewscaster.com

Whatever happens in game 3, the Giants already have separate game plans in mind. If the Giants aren’t able to pull out game 3, they will put Tim Lincecum on the mound in game 4 on short rest in order to preserve their season. Then they would pitch Matt Cain if a game 5 was necessary. If the Giants manage to steal game 3 in Atlanta, they will put Madison Bumgarner on the mound in game 4 and if needed will have Tim Lincecum available on regular rest in game 5. This would be ideal as it would allow the Giants to see what young Bumgarner can do in his first playoff appearance. This would give Bruce Bochy an idea if he can use Bumgarner later in the playoffs or not. And this also allows to have Lincecum on normal rest, giving them their best shot at getting the victory. Either way, let’s just hope the Giants get it done.

This is just an opinion…so please Pardon My Bias.