The World Series begins tonight in San Francisco, as the Giants host the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers have had a week of rest in preparation for this series, after sweeping the Yankees. San Francisco took a very different route to the World Series, having to battle back from 3-1 down against the defending champs, the St Louis Cardinals. Due to the National League winning the All Star Game back in July, the Giants have homefield advantage. Ironically enough, it was the suspended Giants star Melky Cabrera that won the All Star Game MVP, and Tigers ace Justin Verlander who took the loss.
The questions are whether the long layoff will affect Detroit, or perhaps whether having to play so many elimination games will eventually wear down the Giants. The Giants have had to win 6 elimination games in the playoffs this year, coming back from 0-2 down against the Cincinnati Reds, and 3-1 down against the Cardinals.
The Tigers are led by the best 3-4 combo in baseball, Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, as well as reigning Cy Young and MVP Justin Verlander. The Giants have been led in the postseason by their 2 and 3 hitters, NLCS MVP Marco Scutaro and Pablo Sandoval, and by Matt Cain and Ryan Vogelsong on the mound.
The pitching matchup for game 1 is Verlander against former Cy Young winner Barry Zito, who saved the Giants season in game 5 against St Louis, going 7-2/3 shutout innings. The offense will have to carry the Tigers in this series, as I believe the Giants have the pitching advantage in games that Verlander does not pitch, and they also have the stronger bullpen. The Giants weakness is in their lineup. Other than Scutaro and Sandoval, the rest of the Giants lineup is hitting only .217 in the playoffs.
My prediction is that Detroit wins in 6 games, as the offense wakes up once they return home to Comerica Park, and the Giants wear down from all the elimination games they have been forced to play this postseason.
I will be back with a World Series and Postseason review following the conclusion of the World Series.
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