2012 World Series Predictions

Who has the Advantage on Offense?

Aaron: Any time you have the reigning AL Triple Crown winner on your team, you’re going to be dangerous, offensively. However, the San Francisco Giants have been scoring at an insane rate during this 2012 Postseason. SF is averaging nearly 4.5 runs per game to the Tigers’ 4 but Detroit is hitting nearly 40 points better.  This tells me that the Giants have been a lot better at scoring runs with fewer baserunners.  In the MLB Playoffs, it’s important to be able to get runs across the plate, no matter how you do it so we are going to give the Giants the advantage offensively.

Monique: Based on these playoffs, the Giants are the stronger offensive force. San Francisco outscored St. Louis 20-1 in their last three games. The lineup is strong, and Marco Scutaro’s .354 playoff average is sure to boast the number of runs we see cross the plate. The Yankees didn’t put the Tigers defense to work as much as I think the Giants will. If they can force the plays I think they take the advantage. Although the Tigers have played well consistently, the Giants have the edge to score runs and score early.

Who has the Starting Pitching Advantage?

M: Without even looking beyond game one, this goes to Detroit. Even though Barry Zito’s game five against St. Louis was a stellar performance, he doesn’t quite match up to Justin Verlander. With Verlander’s playoff record boasting a 0.74 ERA and 25 strikeouts, the Tigers are clearly the dominant team when it comes to starting pitchers. It’s going to be important that the Giants don’t fall into a hole early. The Tigers will undoubtedly start Verlander at least twice and if there’s an option for a third start the Giants are going to be in trouble.

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Who has the Bullpen Advantage?

A: During the regular season, neither team had what you would call a dominant bullpen in terms of ERA.  Both ‘pens had ERA’s over 3.50 but the Giants were third best in the league at converting saves 53/66. Compare that to the 40 saves by the Detroit closers in 56 opportunities. During these playoffs, the Giants bullpen has played significantly better, posting an ERA nearly 1 run lower, while Detroit’s bullpen ERA has actually gotten worse. SF has yet to blow a save in the 2012 Postseason (although it’s only had one opportunity), while Detroit already has two in five chances. SF clearly has the advantage late in the game when teams go to their bullpens. This is pretty evident by the fact that SF relievers have averaged 3.5 innings of work per game compared to just 2.5 from the Tigers pen.

M: The closer has long been the most important part of a manager’s bullpen. The guy who can come into the game and close it out with those last three strikes. Ironically, this World Series matches up the two teams that lack the veteran closer. On one end, Detroit has an outstanding starting rotation but their late inning pitchers lack the arm to get the job done. We’ve seen the evidence during this playoff season. When it comes to closers the Giants are not much better but I think they have the pitchers that can deliver. When it comes to bullpen advantage the Giants far surpass the Tigers on this one.

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Who will Win the 2012 World Series?

M: If the Tigers can win every game Verlander starts they’ll take the win. It’ll be important that they score early and play well defensively. However, the Giants have won every elimination game they have come into. They came back from a 3-1 hole against St. Louis and have proved they can win in desperate times. They have the deeper bullpen, the fighting spirit and the home field advantage. The Giants will take it in six.