Even with the San Francisco Giants holding home-field advantage in the 2012 World Series, oddsmakers still favor Detroit to win its first world championship since 1984.
The Tigers were pushed to the brink of elimination by the Oakland Athletics, but thanks to a stellar performance by reigning AL Cy Young winner and MVP Justin Verlander, Detroit advanced to the championship series. After outlasting Oakland, the Tigers swept the New York Yankees en route to the Fall Classic.
The San Francisco Giants traveled a slightly bumpier road, surviving six elimination games combined in the DS and LCS to win the NL pennant (tying the record).
Will the five days rest for the Tigers make them a little rusty, similar to 2006 when they had nearly a week off before Game 1 (St. Louis won in 5)? Will San Francisco's pitchers be able to sit down Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and slugger Prince Fielder?
The majority of experts from ESPN and Sports Illustrated seem to agree with the oddsmakers and picked the Tigers to win the championship. Not one expert from either media outlet who picked Detroit believes there will be a sweep though. As for Yahoo Sports, three out of five took the Giants to win their second World Series title in three years, one of which actually picked a sweep.
Also calling a sweep by the Giants is Grant Brisbee of the McCovey Chronicles. His colleagues at SB Nation were decidedly less optimistic about the Giants' chances. Not surprisingly, the writers and reporters at the Detroit Free Press were also leaning heavily toward the Tigers.
What do you think of these picks? Scroll down to see the list of expert picks and then cast your vote on which team will win the World Series.
Kevin Kaduk of Yahoo Sports: Tigers in 6
David Brown of Yahoo Sports: Tigers in 7
Rob Iracane of Yahoo Sports: Giants in 4
Alex Remington of Yahoo Sports: Giants in 7
Jim Bowden of ESPN.com: Giants in 6
Dave Cameron of ESPN Insider: Tigers in 7
Jim Caple of ESPN.com: Giants in 7
Albert Chen of Sports Illustrated: Tigers in 5
Joe Lemire of Sports Illustrated: Tigers in 6
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com: Tigers in 5
Pedro Gomez of ESPN: Tigers in 5
Jonah Keri of Grantland.com: Tigers in 5
Keith Law of ESPN Insider: Tigers in 5
Tristan H. Cockcroft of ESPN Fantasy: Tigers in 5
Mark Simon of ESPN Stats and Info: Tigers in 5
Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated: Giants in 7
Joe Sheehan of Sports Illustrated: Giants in 6
Eric Karabell of ESPN Fantasy: Giants in 6
Stephen Cannella of Sports Illustrated: Giants in 7
Ben Reiter of Sports Illustrated: Tigers in 5
Molly Knight of ESPN The Magazine: Giants in 7
Ted Keith of Sports Illustrated: Tigers in 5
Eric Karabell of ESPN Fantasy: Giants in 6
Peter Pascarelli of ESPN Radio: Tigers in 5
Anthony Witrado of Sporting News: Giants in 7
Stan McNeal of Sporting News: Tigers in 6
Chris Bahr of Sporting News: Tigers in 6
Garry Howard of Sporting News: Tigers in 6
Bob Hille of Sporting News: Tigers in 6
Matt Crossman of Sporting News: Giants in 6
Rob Neyer of SBNation: Tigers in 5
Amy K. Nelson of SB Nation: Tigers in 5
Jason Brannon of SB Nation: Tigers in 6 (or 7)
Al Yellon of SB Nation: Tigers in 6
Matt Sussman of SB Nation: Tigers in 5
Marc Gormandin of SB Nation: Tigers in 6
Steve Goldman of SB Nation: Tigers in 6
Grant Brisbee of SB Nation: Giants in 4
Mitch Albom of Detroit Free Press: Tigers in 6
John Lowe of Detroit Free Press: Giants in 7
Jeff Seidel of Detroit Free Press: Tigers in 6
Drew Sharp of Detroit Free Press: Tigers in 7
George Sipple of Detroit Free Press: Tigers in 5
Shawn Windsor of Detroit Free Press: Tigers in 6
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