Barry Zito Will Oppose Justin Verlander in Game One

The San Francisco Giants have done the improbable this postseason. Once down 0-2 in the NLDS with three games to play in Cincinnati, the Giants prevailed. Down 1-3 to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS, the Giants outscored their opponent 20-1 in the final three games to become only the third NL team to take a series after falling behind 1-3. 

The Detroit Tigers have been awaiting their opponent since last week after sweeping the New York Yankees in the ALCS.  After needing all five games to dispose of the Oakland A's in the division series, the Tigers made quick work of a slumping Yankee team, which lost Derek Jeter to a broken ankle and their entire offense came up empty. 

Justin Verlander is 3-0 in the playoffs this year and has an ERA under 1.00, true to his dominant perception. It is actually Verlander's fault the NL has home field in the World Series.  And thanks to a Giants player, Melky Cabrera, who has been told to stay away from the team due to his 50-game suspension and all the hoopla surrounding his coverup attempt, Verlander surrendered 5 runs in the All-star game while Matt Cain held his own. 

Barry Zito, the man who began the rally for the Giants in the NLCS, will pitch Game 1, hoping for another strong outing against a fearsome lineup that includes the triple-crown winner, Miguel Cabrera as well as Prince Fielder. Manager Bruce Bochy decided to go with Madison Bumgarner, regardless of his postseason struggles, for Game 2 due to the Tigers inconsistency opposing lefties. 

Marco Scutaro, the NLCS MVP, recorded 6 multi-hit games and bat .500 with 6 runs and 4 RBI becoming the model of consistency alongside the Panda who bat right behind him. If they manage to continue their hot streak and thrive off their crowd's enthusiasm, the Giants will be tough to beat - especially because their pitching has been stellar of late. 

Over the final 27 innings of the NLCS, San Francisco surrendered only 1 run.  Zito pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings in his start, Ryan Vogelsong pitched 7 innings of 1-run ball while Matt Cain left the mound after 5 2/3 scoreless innings.  The Tigers staff managed to completely silence the Yankees expensive bats as well, so this series may turn out to be a low-scoring, tightly fought series.