Why Detroit Will Win the World Series
2 min readBy WES HOST
The San Francisco Giants have squeezed their way into the World Series by clinching two elimination games against the Cinncinatti Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Boys from the Bay won’t even make it to game seven this series, as the Detroit Tigers will hoist the Commissioners Cup for the first time since 1984.
Offense
The Tigers’ bats’ pounded both in the regular and the post season. They hit .268 as a team in the regular season. They were third in the league in on base percentage and seventh in slugging percentage demonstrating a balance in run manufacturing and power hitting. Miguel Cabrera, the reigning Triple Crown winner anchors the Detroit offensive effort. Shortstop Jhonny Peralta and rightfielder Avisail Garcia have both been productive in the postseason batting .343 and .333 respectively. Prince Fielder, acquired this season, needs to have a big series to aid the Tigers. He is only hitting .211 so far thus season.
Defense
The Giants have committed six errors in the postseason, while the Tigers have committed four. Half of San Francisco’s errors came from third baseman Pablo Sandovol.
Essentially all of the Tiger’s best hitters are right handed and will look to batter Sandovol for infield singles all day. Detroit’s achilles’ heel will be Fielder who has muffed twice at first base.
Pitching
Both teams have strong starting rotations. It is going to be Detroit’s bullpen that wins the series for them. Right hander Octavio Dotel and left handers Phil Coke and Drew Smyly have yet to allow a run this postseason.
With lights-out closer Brian Wilson injured, the Giants will have a hard time closing games out. The Tigers also have been able to rest their pitchers having swept the Yankees.
