2012 NLDS: Zito Looks To Keep Giants Alive Against Reds in Game 4

Oct 9, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; General view of Great American Ball Park during game three of the 2012 NLDS between the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

Barry Zito, who was left off the postseason roster during the Giants’ run to the World Series in 2010, now gets the ball in the biggest game of the year for San Francisco. Momentum is certainly on Zito’s side personally. He finished his final five outings with a 5-0 record along with a solid 2.35 ERA. But the Reds still have the advantage, up two games to one on the Giants.

However, the Reds can’t combat Zito with their ace in Johnny Cueto, who left game one of just eight pitches due to back issues. Instead, they will roll the dice with Mike Leake, who gave up nine hits to the Giants during a complete game earlier in the year. Yet, starting Leake would have to call for a roster move, as he’s not on the current roster for the postseason, meaning that Cueto will likely be removed.

Lineups

Hector Sanchez will catch Barry Zito today, while Buster Posey will play first.

San Francisco Giants

CF Pagan

2B Scutaro

3B Sandoval

1B Posey

RF Pence

C Sanchez

LF Blanco

SS Crawford

LHP Zito

Cincinnati Reds

Phillips 2B

Cozart SS

Votto 1B

Ludwick LF

Bruce RF

Frazier 3B

Navarro C

Stubbs CF

Leake RHP