Major League Baseball

LINEUP SHAKEUP?;Bochy might insert Sandoval and Rowand as starters for Game 3 today

Published Oct. 19, 2010 10:15 a.m. ET

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The Giants come home for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series with their lineup something of a mystery.

There could be some fairly significant changes today, for a number of reasons: Juan Uribe's availability is up in the air, the team is facing a left-handed starter for the first time this postseason and leadoff hitter Andres Torres is in a slump.

Manager Bruce Bochy said during his interview session Monday that if Uribe is unable to go because of a left wrist injury, Pablo Sandoval will play third base, which means Edgar Renteria would be at shortstop. Results of Uribe's MRI exam, done earlier in the day, were still not available Monday evening, according to a Giants spokesman.

Mike Fontenot started at third base in the past four postseason games, but he's 2-for-12 and has been shaky defensively.

If Uribe is good to go, there's a possibility he'd be at third and Renteria would remain at short, though Renteria is also injured, with a left biceps muscle that has torn completely through. Strangely, Renteria said, the injury has felt much better since the muscle tore all the way on a swing during Game 2 of the Division Series; it bothered him more when it was merely a strain.

"It feels good," he said. "No pain right now."

Asked about the possibility of starting today against Philadelphia's Cole Hamels, Renteria said, "I'm ready, I'm ready. I have to show I can still play."

Sandoval, relegated to the bench after going 1-for-6 to start the Division Series, said he's also prepared if needed. Bochy noted how hard Sandoval has been working and said, "You're probably going to see him in the lineup here," clarifying later that depended on Uribe's situation. Sandoval is 3-for-9 lifetime against Hamels.

"I've been ready every day," Sandoval said. "I'm just waiting for the opportunity." Asked if he might be the man to give the Giants' offense, batting .206 in the postseason, a spark, Sandoval smiled. "I don't know," he said. "I trust my teammates. We have a good lineup. Cody Ross, he can do everything. ... We just have to relax, not try to do too much."

Torres might fit the trying-to-do-too-much category. The center fielder is 3-for-25 this postseason with 12 strikeouts. There's no doubt he's trying everything to get out of his funk; he hit in the batting cage so long he wasn't available to speak to the media after the workout.

Aaron Rowand, the onetime Phillies outfielder, would be Torres' replacement, but Bochy said during his interview session that he'd have to wait to speak to both players after the workout.

Postworkout, Rowand said he hadn't heard anything one way or the other, but just like Renteria and Sandoval, he emphasized that he's raring to go, even with two at-bats to his credit this postseason.

"I've felt good for a while now," Rowand said. "It's about going out there relaxed, executing, getting a good pitch to hit."

How the Giants' postseason hitting compares with that of the other Championship Series teams:

*Extra-base hits

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