One of the nice things about clinching a playoff spot early is that you can line up your rotation optimally and the Giants are doing just that, with manager Bruce Bochy announcing that Matt Cain will start Game 1 of the NLDS.
When that will be and who that will be against isn’t known yet, but Cain getting the series-opening nod is obviously anything but a surprise.
Cain made his final regular season start last night against the Dodgers and was on a pitch count, exiting after five innings of two-run ball.
In addition to throwing a perfect game on June 13 he also started the All-Star game for the National League and finishes the season with a career-best 2.79 ERA and 193/51 K/BB ratio in 219 innings.
No official announcement has been made beyond Cain, but Madison Bumgarner figures to start Game 2 and the Giants have already said they’ll find spots for all five starters (Tim Lincecum, Ryan Vogelsong, Barry Zito) on the playoff roster.
