DETROIT — Players love watching their manager’s postgame news conference on television after a winning World Series game. Tim Lincecum, the struggling regular-season starter turned unhittable postseason reliever, didn’t need a TV to monitor Manager Bruce Bochy’s comments after Game 3 on Saturday night. He sat right in the interview room, waiting his turn at the podium with the winning pitcher, Ryan Vogelsong.

Dressed in blue jeans, a checked dress shirt over a three-button long-sleeve T-shirt and a gray knit ski cap, Lincecum listened intently while Bochy reaffirmed that Lincecum would be back in the rotation next year. For now, Lincecum remains San Francisco’s most dominant reliever, and one of the reasons the Giants stand one win from their second world championship in three years.

Lincecum struck out three over two and a third hitless innings as the bridge between Vogelsong and closer Sergio Romo in a 2-0 victory. Over five postseason relief appearances and 13 innings, Lincecum has allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out 17 and winning his only decision. The Tigers haven’t had many hits against any Giants pitcher in this Series, and are still looking for their first off Lincecum in four and two-thirds innings.