So, I was kind of wrong in my DS picks, getting just one right (the Tigers over the A's). Still, it has been a good postseason. That was probably the best collection of four DSes ever, and the CS round saw the fall of the Yankees, and a weird 7-game series where the most important player was either Marco Scutaro or Barry Zito, and the Giants came back from 3-1 down, but absolutely dominated the last three games. This sets us up for a nice World Series. The Final 4 teams contained the last three World Series winners (Cards, Giants, Yankees), and while the Giants are still in the mix for a second title in three years, the Tigers can join the club. They don't even get the team that ruined their dream in 2006. Anyway, on to the breakdown:
San Francisco Giants (94-68) vs Detroit Tigers (88-74)
The Giants had the better regular season. Statistically, they are the better team. Yes, they were in the easier conference, but the Tigers were in the worst division in baseball. Both have looked good in the playoffs. The Tigers were more dominant in their CS, obviously, sweeping the Yankees, but the Giants outscored the Cards 20-1 in the last three games. Looking at the matchup, in a weird way, I actually like the Giants hitting more. Cabrera and Fielder are great, obviously, but outside of Austin Jackson, that lineup isn't very deep. The Giants lineup has their big bat in Posey (who admittedly has been bad in the playoffs), plus a nice rebound season from Sandoval, but their lesser players are far greater than those on the Giants. They can throw Pagan, Scutaro, Pence (who played better late in that series) and Belt against the Tigers who respond with the carcass of Infante, a strikeout waiting to happen in Delmon Young, and a 19-year old in Avasail Garcia.
On the other side, the Tigers starting pitching is better, and maybe by a lot. If Lincecum was the 2008 Lincecum, this would be much closer, but with him in shambles, and Zito unlikely to come close to repeating what he did in Game 5 against the Cards, the Giants have two plus starters against four. Cain and Vogelsong are very good, but Verlander and Scherzer are better. The one caveat on the pitching side is the Giants have a, well, Giant, edge in the bullpen. Their closer is actually a person in Sergio Romo, as the Tigers haven't really formally made Phil Coke their closer, and they probably shouldn't be too hasty in doing so given the Tigers right-handed heavy lineup. The Giants also have Bumgarner to throw out there if need-be.
I honestly feel this is an extremely close series. I have no idea where to go, but in the four main parts of a team (hitting, starting pitching, bullpen and defense) the Giants have an edge in three in my mind. That, combined with a great home field, is enough for me.
Giants in 7
San Francisco Giants (94-68) vs Detroit Tigers (88-74)
The Giants had the better regular season. Statistically, they are the better team. Yes, they were in the easier conference, but the Tigers were in the worst division in baseball. Both have looked good in the playoffs. The Tigers were more dominant in their CS, obviously, sweeping the Yankees, but the Giants outscored the Cards 20-1 in the last three games. Looking at the matchup, in a weird way, I actually like the Giants hitting more. Cabrera and Fielder are great, obviously, but outside of Austin Jackson, that lineup isn't very deep. The Giants lineup has their big bat in Posey (who admittedly has been bad in the playoffs), plus a nice rebound season from Sandoval, but their lesser players are far greater than those on the Giants. They can throw Pagan, Scutaro, Pence (who played better late in that series) and Belt against the Tigers who respond with the carcass of Infante, a strikeout waiting to happen in Delmon Young, and a 19-year old in Avasail Garcia.
On the other side, the Tigers starting pitching is better, and maybe by a lot. If Lincecum was the 2008 Lincecum, this would be much closer, but with him in shambles, and Zito unlikely to come close to repeating what he did in Game 5 against the Cards, the Giants have two plus starters against four. Cain and Vogelsong are very good, but Verlander and Scherzer are better. The one caveat on the pitching side is the Giants have a, well, Giant, edge in the bullpen. Their closer is actually a person in Sergio Romo, as the Tigers haven't really formally made Phil Coke their closer, and they probably shouldn't be too hasty in doing so given the Tigers right-handed heavy lineup. The Giants also have Bumgarner to throw out there if need-be.
I honestly feel this is an extremely close series. I have no idea where to go, but in the four main parts of a team (hitting, starting pitching, bullpen and defense) the Giants have an edge in three in my mind. That, combined with a great home field, is enough for me.
Giants in 7
