While they each ended the regular season on high notes, they have won series in different fashions in the playoffs. Detroit has been the most impressive team going up 2-0 on Oakland before winning in five, and then sweeping the Yankees. The Giants looked dead in the water twice but came from behind in both series to win in the final game. So if Detroit gets ahead in the series early, which trend will continue?
Each team boasts an MVP candidate. Posey for the Giants and Cabrera for the Tigers. Both teams also have great pitching led by a star, Verlander and Cain. I'd say the Tigers have better depth offensively but the Giants have better depth in their pitching rotation.
Some keys I think will be does Cabrera go off hitting in this series? He has some protection with Fielder hitting behind him so they have to pitch to him. Plus, will Verlander continue his postseason run? He is 3-0 in three starts this postseason, and no pitcher has won five games in a single year. He may due to the fact he will likely pitch twice in this series. He's starting game 1 tonight.
Keys for the Giants include protecting home field. Can they have some "Bay Magic?" Can they overcome the loss of two stars from earlier in the year (Brian Wilson injury, Melky suspension)? And will they win it all twice in three seasons? Last time, it was Cody Ross who surprisingly led the way. This time it seems to be Marco Scutaro who is playing terrific baseball out of nowhere.
Andrew's Prediction:
It will be a close series. Detroit wins tonight behind Verlander but the Giants will win game 2. Detroit will then win two in a row to go up 3-1. The Giants will win Game 5 to make it interesting, but then the Tigers will win in six. Verlander wins twice to get to five total wins and Cabrera goes off in the series to win the WS MVP (to hopefully match his regular season MVP which I think he deserves)...
No matter what happens though, you should be watching. What this postseason has shown us is that anything can happen. And it will be an interesting offseason too! :)
By: Andrew
I picked the Giants prior to game 1, saying they'd beat Verlander, and if you beat Verlander you beat the Tigers.
ReplyDeleteYeah I was way off about last night... Verlander got rocked and it was Zito/Lincecum that looked great. Kung Fu Panda is now looking like a WS MVP.
ReplyDeleteBUT, it was just one game and if Tigers win tonight and head back to Detroit with a split, they can be pleased. I'm sticking with Tigers.
So if you asked me now who was winning the WS, I would no longer pick the Tigers. I know they only lost 2 road games, but I think they needed 1 there. Now they face the Giants' two best pitchers (at least in the postseason) while they will be pitching some of their weaker pitchers. Plus, the bats are ice cold...
ReplyDeleteAndrew