Game 1 of the World Series looked a lot like Game 7 of the NLCS. The Giants played loose, put up a big number quick, and just hopped along, carefree, to the end (Peralta’s late homer made it look a lot closer than it was).
The story here is the momentum swing that comes out of this match-up. This should have gone Detroit’s way. They had it lined up with Justin Verlander, but now its a whole new ballgame. The reigning AL Cy Young winner didn’t have his best stuff tonight, but unlike his last start against the Yankees, he wasn’t able to pitch around it. Barry Zito on the other hand looked like Zito circa 2002. He mixed it up like the old pro he is, and even added an RBI single.
Zito lost it in the sixth, but the Giants went to Lincecum–the first time in WS history that a Cy Young winner relieved a Cy Young winner. Lincecum also looked like a renewed man (boy?), striking out the first three he faced en route to 2.1 perfect innings.
The offense? Pablo Sandoval took care of that. He had four RBI while swatting three homers–two off Verlander–to join Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson, and Albert Pujols in an elite club. Oh, and that Marco Scutaro guy handled the rest, with two RBI and two runs scored to extend his hitting streak.
Gregor Blanco tallied two early Web Gems to stifle emerging Tigers’ threats, but they didn’t have much going anyway. The big guns were quiet and the team scattered eight hits.
Overall, this game was another reminder that momentum reigns supreme in the postseason. While Detriot was playing their instructional leaguers, the Giants were playing emotional baseball. Tonight, it showed. The rest of this series is going to be fun, but only if the Tigers can shake this funk. As far as the pitching goes, the tide has turned in a big way. The Tigers have Verlander once more, down 0-1. The Giants get Cain twice and already have the lead.
-Ari Glantz
Stat of the Moment: Zito gets his first WS win a decade after his Cy Young. (Meh stat, but its late and I’m tired)
