A triple threat no more, the pressure has fallen on one.
In the off-season the Detroit Tigers signed Prince Fielder to a multi-million dollar contact for the next nine years. Miguel Cabrera was awarded the 2012 Triple Crown. And the man, the myth, the legend Justin Verlander earned the title as the "best" pitcher in the Major Leagues.
Unfortunately, that will not win the Tigers a World Series. The San Francisco Giants have been here before. We all know that once you taste victory, it's hard to get it out of your mouth. Two years ago, the Giants won the World Series. They are back again.
The trio of the players that led the Tigers to this championship game have been almost absent when needed. The Giants, on the other hand, have overcome adversity on every level. Facing five elimination games, San Francisco was the first National League team to come back from a 0-2 deficit in the National League Division Series to beat the Cincinnati Reds. They also came back from being down 3-1 in the National League Championship series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
No other team in MLB has faced the number of problems that the Giants have: losing two players (Guillermo Mota and Melky Cabrera) to failed drug testing, countless injuries and a two-time Cy Young winner who was demoted from a starting pitcher to the bullpen. Yet through it all, the San Francisco Giants found their resiliency to fight their way back to the World Series.
And that mythological Detroit player who seemed invincible? He lost his command on the mound in Detroit's 8-3 loss to the Giants in Game 1 of the World Series. Verlander has been the key component to Detroit's wins thus far in the post-season and that showed during the game. The Tigers' three runs came from Johnny Peralta's two-run blast and Miguel Carbrera's RBI single.
Not much from the explosive offense that earned its spot as American League champions. This is why the Giants will win the World Series for the second time in two years.
Manager Bruce Bochy, who will be a lock for the Hall of Fame, keeps a level head all the time. His faith in his players has proven to be worthy when it counts.
One example is Brandon Crawford, who is among many to play in his first World Series as well as post-season games. Crawford was a rookie at the shortstop position who got his opportunity after Orlando Cabrera did not re-sign with the team. Though he struggled at first, Bochy believed he would be capable at the job and he prevailed.
Pablo Sandoval had been up and down with his numbers throughout the season and post-season, but found his niche during Game 1. He made post-season history by hitting three home runs to join legends like Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and Albert Pujols. Unlike Detroit, which depends on three guys (Cabrera, Fielder and Justin) to make magic for their team, the Giants are so unpredictable you may never know who will shine during the game.
Losing Closer Brian Wilson to an early injury during spring training led Sergio Romo to start in his place, and he has yet to disappoint. See, that's the beauty of this team -- they've been known in years past to play "torture" baseball. Anyone can step up and make contributions when it counts.
There are countless weapons on San Francisco's team that have yet to be unleashed on both defense and offense. The NLCS MVP Marco Scutaro, Angel Pagan, Sandoval, Crawford, Ryan Vogelsong, Barry Zito and two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum -- just to name a few.
Detroit, face the facts: The better team to win the World Series is the Giants. So get ready to tip your hat to the men that will once again be crowned America's best team in the Major Leagues.
It's a seven-game series, but we all know the winner of the first game of the World Series has gone on to win the Fall Classic 66 times.