"In some fashion this offseason, the Giants will probably make Tim Lincecum the first pitcher ever to receive a multi-million-dollar premium because he couldn't win 20 games. They owe him that much, and Matt Cain, as well. Someday, they may have to pay the same compensatory damages to Madison Bumgarner.

But for the moment, Lincecum's concerns take precedence. The look of resignation that briefly crossed his face late in Monday's 7-0 loss to the Cubs was both unnerving and predictable. The mask worn by every member of the Giants' pitching staff had to slip eventually, especially when the lowest-scoring lineup in the game compounded its failures with exasperating fielding lapses.

Lincecum has compiled a 12-11 record with a 2.58 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. So far, his 2011 season amounts to the baseball equivalent of building a beautiful house in a seedy neighborhood. In his past 14 starts, he has allowed two runs or fewer 12 times and held the other team to one run or none in 10 of the outings. He has a 7-7 record in that span."