SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy had to make a choice between George Kontos and Guillermo Mota.
He took both. The Giants will go with 12 pitchers on their NL Division Series roster against the Cincinnati Reds, even though they plan to keep three starting pitchers available in the bullpen for Game 1 on Saturday.
The bullpen will consist of Mota and Kontos along with all five starters and the frontline relievers: Sergio Romo, Javier Lopez, Jeremy Affeldt, Santiago Casilla and Jose Mijares.
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The Giants went with thump over speed on their bench. In addition to second baseman Ryan Theriot, backup catcher Hector Sanchez and infielder Joaquin Arias, the club will carry outfielder Xavier Nady and pinch hitter Aubrey Huff.
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That leaves few pinch running options. It also makes Nady the only backup outfielder -- and he isn't exactly a defensive replacement. (Starting first baseman Brandon Belt has limited experience in left field and could play there if and when starting catcher Buster Posey moves to first.)
The players were informed of the roster after Thursday's workout; they also held a spirited meeting in the trainer's room in which Matt Cain thanked his teammates for their involvement in his perfect game and presented them with black and orange watches in keepsake boxes.
San Francisco Giants
"I could not have done it without you," the inscription on the box read.
The Giants' 25-man roster for the 2012 NLDS
Pitchers (12)
41 Jeremy Affeldt LHP
40 Madison Bumgarner LHP
18 Matt Cain RHP
46 Santiago Casilla RHP
70 George Kontos RHP
55 Tim Lincecum RHP
49 Javier Lopez LHP
50 Jose Mijares LHP
59 Guillermo Mota RHP
54 Sergio Romo RHP
32 Ryan Vogelsong RHP
75 Barry Zito LHP
Catchers (2)
28 Buster Posey C
29 Hector Sanchez C
Infielders (7)
13 Joaquin Arias IF
9 Brandon Belt IF
35 Brandon Crawford IF
17 Aubrey Huff IF
48 Pablo Sandoval IF
19 Marco Scutaro IF
5 Ryan Theriot IF
Outfielders (4)
7 Gregor Blanco OF
12 Xavier Nady OF
16 Angel Pagan OF
8 Hunter Pence OF