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Something about California pride...no one here gave that much thought when the Rockies or D-Backs were in it. Heck, I don't even think the Padres have that much cachet either.
It's hard for me to cheer for the Giants. It's like my body won't let me.
When the Giants entered the playoffs they looked extremely vulnerable, mainly because they had not been playing up to their full potential during the season. But this team has gelled, and it is now well on its way to winning its second title in three years, which is something that hasn't been done since the Yankees did it back in their heyday (Boston took two in four seasons). The Giants pitching, from the opening inning to the closing spot, is as strong as any I've seen, and I've been watching baseball about 30 years now. In terms of pitching, they do remind me of the 1985 Royals and the Braves of 1995-96, but with a bullpen that can make the game even shorter. Suffocating is probably the right word to describe their pitching, when it's on, and ever since game 4 of the NLCS, they've been absolutely dominant.
At this point, Detroit should just try to get some good at bats, a few hits, and get a sense for the Giants pitching - to the extent possible. I don't know if it matters, though. They just have too many arms to try to prepare for. Pitching is back.
For all of the talk about how great Detroit's pitching staff has been, I have wondered whether or not some of the data was inflated. They pitched against an Oakland A's lineup that was scrappy, but statistically, rather unimpressive. And then they went out and dominated a Yankees lineup that couldn't get a hit if Detroit had agreed to 'throw' the ALCS in advance. The Giants, on the other hand, shut down the hottest hitting team in the majors (other than themselves).
Detroit can do nothing about the Giants pitching. If it's great, they're just going to have to figure it out and hope the Giants made the odd mistake in the strike zone. If the Tigers want to have any chance against SF, they're going to have to play classic, old-school ball and pitch hard and inside on the Giants. Detroit needs to make them feel uncomfortable at the plate. Otherwise, it's going to be a very short series.
Thar ye go, Detroit. You're obviously not gonna win this game, but if you can ding the bullpen a little bit, that's not a bad thing.
Only problem is, Kontos ain't Romo. It's a start though. Doin' exactly what the Giants did to the Cards when they got beat in St. Louis. Sure, it's a late-inning home run, but it means something.
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