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5 reasons Tim Lincecum won’t see resurgence with Angels

By Dave Stevenson

May 20, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Welcome to the American League

Pitching in the National League is one thing. Tim Lincecum is still quite good at it, as his 2015 ERA of 4.13 shows. However, ask any pitcher who has moved from the National League to the American League. The American League is an entirely different animal. Lincecum will be facing better lineups and better hitters, especially in the American League West.

Khris Davis of the Oakland Athletics, Robinson Cano of the Seattle Mariners, Nomar Mazara of the Texas Rangers, and Adrian Beltre of the Rangers are just a few of the powerful hitters that Lincecum will have to face on a regular basis with the Angels. Quite the change from the NL West.

The biggest adjustment that Tim Lincecum will have to make is that he will have to get used to facing nine hitters who aren’t pitchers. One of the biggest advantages of pitching in the National League is that pitchers have a spot in the batting order. That means pitchers get to face either a pitcher or a guy on the bench at least once every nine batters. Over time, that definitely adds up.

Getting used to facing that extra good hitter might be the hardest adjustment that Lincecum will ever have to make. Considering that he had to reinvent himself as a pitcher after his velocity dropped, that’s saying something.

Next: 2. Health Concerns

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