Tim Lincecum in good spirits about lack of use

Sep 17, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher

against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Giants defeated the Diamondbacks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cue the celebration from Tuesday night; players hugging, spraying champagne and beer, doing interviews and taking pictures. There was Tim Lincecum, sitting at his locker and taking pictures with his teammates, trying to stay out of the spotlight.

His absence obviously did not go unnoticed, as he was the only player on the 25-man roster that did not get an appearance in the Division Series. He was slated to pitch in the 19th inning of Game Two, but it never got to that point.

Looking back at the season that Lincecum had, more specifically his relief outings (not against San Diego), you can see why there was bated breath in crucial relief appearances. That and he is just one right-handed pitcher in a plethora of right-handed pitchers in the bullpen.

However there is an indication that Bruce Bochy might indeed use him in this next round. Alex Pavlovic reports:

And nor should anyone else forget what Tim Lincecum has done. If it wasn’t for him, the Giants would’ve easily sported a 10+ game losing streak in middle to late June. Unfortunately it’s not June anymore; it’s early October, and the Giants are headed off to St. Louis for a best of seven.

Lincecum made the best of his 2012 playoff relief appearances, so he should be able to make the best of any relief appearances now. He has been working on sharpening his pitches, so that way he can be ready when called upon.

If you asked him how he was dealing with the lack of appearances so far, he would probably tell you that he’s content with it. That seems to be the general response that reporters are getting.

While it probably wouldn’t surprise anyone that he is disappointed to not make an appearance yet, the fact that he is remained in fairly good spirits with the media is a good sign. It shows the mark of an athlete who has put his team before himself.

That is what the Giants need right now, and it is good that he has not attempted to sour the clubhouse vibe. It’s especially good at a time in which they need the chemistry, and the team, to be firing on all cylinders.

While Lincecum’s next relief appearance is up in the air, we do know that he will be ready for it. He sported a 0.00 ERA with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts in 8 innings in his only appearance against the Cardinals this season.