Well I managed to get something right in my pre-postseason picks. The San Francisco Giants will play against the Detroit Tigers. This is the first time the two clubs have ever met in a World Series, which is odd enough knowing the long history of both clubs. The San Francisco Giants originally established in 1883 when they were in New York as the New York Gothams for two years. Then changed the name to the Giants becoming the New York Giants from 1885-1957. The team moved to San Francisco along with their inner-city rival the Brooklyn Dodgers to California. The Giants have been in San Francisco since 1958. The Detroit Tigers were established in 1894. They have been in the American League since 1901 to the present day.
Here’s some more stats for the two clubs to water your senses:
Both clubs combined for 10 World Series titles. Giants (1905, 1921, 1922, 1933, 1954, 2010) and the Tigers (1935, 1945, 1968, 1984).
Both clubs combined for 33 pennants for their respected leagues.
The Giants (1888, 1889, 1904, 1905, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1917, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1933, 1936, 1937, 1951, 1954, 1962, 1989, 2002, 2010, 2012).
The Tigers (1907, 1908, 1909, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1968, 1984, 2006, 2012).
In terms of picking a winner I’m still standing by my original pick of the Tigers winning the series in 7 games. Two games will be in San Francisco due to the National League winning the All-Star Game this past July (yeah I kind of forgot since that time too…). There’s a good chance if Justin Verlander starts in one of those two games the Tigers will win one of those games. Then three games will go to Detroit, and then the final 2 games (if necessary) will be back in San Francisco.
The pitching match ups have not been set for game 1 yet but one can perhaps feel that Verlander will start game 1. The Giants starter could certainly be Barry Zito, who started for game 5 of the NLCS which was last friday, for game 1.
In terms of match ups between the various areas of the two clubs (i.e. hitting, starting pitching, base running, bullpen, managing, fielding) the two teams are very much alike. Perhaps too much alike. It really could be one of the best World Series match ups in the last 5 years… okay last year’s World Series was probably the best one in the last 5 years too. Here’s a breakdown:
Hitting:
San Francisco: .269 batting average (3rd in National League), 718 runs (6th in National League), 103 home-runs (15th in National League)
Detroit: .268 batting average (3rd in the American League), 726 runs (6th in American League), 163 home-runs (10th in American League
Edge: Detroit. Despite the .001 difference in batting average, the Tigers offense has scored more runs and hit more homers than the Giants.
Pitching (in the 2012 regular season):
San Francisco: 5 complete games, 14, shutouts, 3.68 team ERA (4th in National League), 1,237 strikeouts, .248 against batting average.
Detroit: 9 complete games, 8 shutouts, 3.75 ERA (3rd in American League), 1,318 strikeouts, with a .256 against batting average.
Edge: San Francisco. This one was pretty difficult to take. The Giants pitching has a better ERA and against batting average. The Giants get a nod, but very close to saying the Tigers.
Fielding:
San Francisco: 115 errors, 4,353 putouts, 1,639 assists
Detroit: 99 errors, 4,292 putouts, 1,481 assists
Edge: Detroit.
Baserunning:
San Francisco: 118 stolen bases
Detroit: 59 stolen bases
Edge: San Francisco.
Managing:
Bruce Bochy (San Francisco Giants): has taken the San Diego Padres to the World Series in 1998, lost to the Yankees. Won the World Series with the San Francisco Giants in 2010. 3rd trip to the World Series for him. Won 1,454 games and lost 1,444 games in 18 years, .502 winning percentage.
Jim Leyland (Detroit Tigers): Won a World Series with the Florida Marlins in 1997, and took the Detroit Tigers to a World Series in 2006 but lost to the Cardinals. Another trip to the World Series for him with this tigers team. Won 1,676 games and lost 1,659 games with a .503 winning percentage in 21 years as a manger.
Edge: Detroit.
So I have the Detroit Tigers in 7 games. It looks like a good match up and both teams will fight for every out in the series. Exciting time of year for a baseball fan. Enjoy the series and best of luck to both teams.
darthretro 