PHOENIX -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy used eleventy billion different lineups last season. (Unofficially.) He's going with the same starting eight -- in the same order -- in Game 2 today at Arizona.
But don't expect the same group for a third consecutive day.
Bochy, like most managers, wants to involve his whole roster as early as possible. So he plans to get some different faces in there behind Matt Cain on Sunday. Gregor Blanco and Emmanuel Burriss are good bets. Maybe Nate Schierholtz, too.
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There's another reason managers like to pre-program a little in these first few days.
"I don't want these guys concerned (that) if they don't get a hit, they won't be in the lineup," Bochy said.
As for Blanco, Bochy said he's "going to try to use him as much as I can. Off the bench, double switch ... he's a guy who can start, too. He's going to create a lot of interest."
One other note: Yes, Buster Posey is aware of his 14-game hitting streak. Before I asked him that question, though, I asked another. And no, he said he's not superstitious in the slightest.
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Posey actually hasn't caught nine innings in a game yet. In both his complete games, once this spring and also Friday's opener, the Giants lost as the visiting team and their opponent didn't bat in the ninth.
"I'd like to get him nine today," Bochy said, smiling.
Here's the lineup against Daniel Hudson, who was Arizona's best looking starter this spring:
1. Angel Pagan (S) CF
2. Melky Cabrera (S) RF
3. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
4. Buster Posey (R) C
5. Aubrey Huff (L) LF
6. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
7. Ryan Theriot (R) 2B
8. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
9. Madison Bumgarner (R) P
Here is the Arizona Diamondbacks lineup:
1. Ryan Roberts (R) 3B
2. Aaron Hill (R) 2B
3. Justin Upton (R) RF
4. Miguel Montero (L) C
5. Chris Young (R) CF
6. Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
7. Jason Kubel (L) LF
8. John McDonald (R) SS
9. Daniel Hudson (R) P