Jack Morris believes Madison Bumgarner should start in Game 7

If Jack Morris had his way, Madison Bumgarner would be starting Game 7 of the World Series.

“If you’ve got any inclination to throw Bumgarner, why not start him?” Morris said Wednesday, before Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.

Bumgarner, the ace of the San Francisco Giants, is expected to pitch in relief. Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday he would resist the temptation to start Bumgarner on two days’ rest.

Morris pitched a 10-inning shutout to win Game 7 of the 1991 World Series for the Minnesota Twins. He started Game 1, Game 4 and Game 7 of that series, the latter two on three days’ rest.

He said Bumgarner has the durability and mechanical strength to have done the same thing, if the Giants had asked.

“If anybody is capable of 1, 4, and 7, it’s Madison,” Morris said.

How many innings does Morris believe Bumgarner could throw Wednesday?

“I think he can go 15,” Morris said.

Morris said he respected Bochy for his loyalty to all of his pitchers, not just to Bumgarner, and for his concern over how a change in routine might affect Bumgarner.

In the years after Morris threw his 10-inning shutout, Twins Manager Tom Kelly apologized to Morris for putting his career at risk. Morris said he told Kelly not to worry.

“I can’t thank him enough for having the guts to leave me out there,” Morris said. “Without that 10th inning, I’m just another pitcher who pitched in the World Series.”