The Fall Classic is finally here! That special stage that made names like Ruth and Mays go from legendary to immortal. Men such as Gibson and Carter, who despite falling short of Hall of Fame status, will forever live on due to their World Series heroics. Every kid once stood in his backyard imagining hitting the game winning home run to win, not just any game, but the World Series.

The significance of a World Series moment and how much it means to every baseball player could not be better summed up than this lasting response by Cal Ripken Jr. Cal put together one of the most respected careers in history. He’s eternalized in Cooperstown for helping to revolutionize a once slap hitting, only defensive position before him (with the exception of Ernie Banks). Baseball is the most numbers crazed game of all. You are Hall of Fame worthy based on your individual statistics (anyone who knows me, knows I hammer this point home constantly). However, when asked what was the best moment of your career upon retiring, Cal didn’t say accumulating 431 home runs. Cal didn’t discuss his 1,695 RBI. He didn’t even bring up his 3,184 hits. Nope, Cal didn’t wax poetic on any of his Gold Gloves or 2 MVPs. Cal Ripken simply stated, “catching the last out to win the World Series.” Cal’s only ring, or even appearance in the Fall Classic happened in 1983, his second full season in the big leagues. For a guy who had 90% of his career take place AFTER earning a ring, for a guy who broke one of the most storied records in sports history and had been celebrated time and time again, all that didn’t matter. Cal immediately reflected on his lone World Series moment. If that doesn’t send goosebumps down your body, I’d check your pulse for a very sad sports fan death.

Alright, I’ll stop with the past. I know I’m a sports history nerd. Shut up, I still have an edge!

Major League Baseball’s WORLD SERIES!

Detroit Tigers – American League Champions
Last World Series Appearance – 2006
Last World Series Championship – 1984

San Francisco Giants – National League Champions
Last World Series Appearance – 2010
Last World Series Championship – 2010

It’s actually quite amazing these two franchises with long and rich histories have never met in the final series of the season. It could’ve happened often, especially in the early days. It never did until now. I guess I lied a bit. I promise that is my last historical reflection. Eh, no I don’t. I once held the record for the Sporcle World Series Winners challenge! I earned the right to go back in time as I see fit!

Anyway, both of these teams had roller-coaster regular seasons. Detroit underachieved, only to turn on the proverbial switch during the stretch run, on the back of their Triple Crown king. San Francisco soared to the top of the NL West, despite overcoming serious injuries and losing their biggest bat to a steroid suspension. Regardless, both squads proved it doesn’t matter how you get to the dance, it’s what you do once you’re there.

This series asks the question, do you prefer a red-hot team on a mission or a stacked roster overdosing on confidence and rest? I picked the Tigers to win the AL pennant prior to the season due to owning two of the league’s best hitters and arguably the most feared pitcher today. While those are definitely reasons Detroit proved me correct, it’s the supporting cast that has truly stepped up. The rotation used to be comically referred to as Justin Verlander and the Funky Bunch for having no secure starter after the future Hall of Famer. Well, that is no longer the case. Max Scherzer has solidified the number 2 spot and Doug Fister and Anibal Sanchez complete the overall depth of the staff. What also happened this postseason that hadn’t ever before was the legendary Verlander actually showed up in October. Prior to 2012, JV never threw a playoff game with under a 5 ERA. You heard me, the no-hitter waiting to happen NEVER owned a sub 5+ playoff ERA when it mattered the most. Those days are now a distant memory. Verlander threw up a 0.74 ERA through the Divisional Series and ALCS. A beast of an ace, a stacked pitching staff, and loads of experience give Detroit reason to believe they will see a quality start every single night.

It’s what takes place after the starter leaves his brilliant performance that makes Tiger fans roll their eyes and lay in the fetal position until the last out. Jose Valverde gives off that Jose Mesa ’97 vibe (sorry Cleveland)¹. He’s the main reason it took 5 games to eliminate Oakland and luckily wasn’t required against the struggling Yankees. His last appearance was the last time a Yankee had a clutch hit. You do the math. All Detroit can hope for is the Tiger bullpen holds up, mostly the closer, and doesn’t blow games. Throwing kerosene on a fire is what can lose a championship.

Detroit’s only weakness is the Giants strongest asset. San Francisco lost their bearded warrior of a closer in April. Brian Wilson, who was the stud closer that became baseball’s best marketing tool after the Giants 2010 title run, has been relegated to a dugout cheerleader. Wilson cheers on Sergio Romo, Santiago Castilla, and Jeremy Affeldt these days. While the Giants would love to have their All-Star, Wilson has not been missed or necessary throughout the 2012 playoffs. Fist pumping, dancing, and pure domination has been what the Giant bullpen has provided.

My trepidation of continuously being down on San Francisco was the lack of pop and depth on offense with the absence of Melky Cabrera. Buster Posey is an MVP caliber player, but he was missing protection. It appeared way too much to ask a catcher to have to single handedly lead an offense. Well get this folks… I was wrong!² I know, I’m just as surprised as you. The Giants outscored St. Louis 20-1 in the last three games of the NLCS en route to coming back from a 3-1 series deficit. The Cardinals powerful lineup did nothing, as the Giants underrated bunch scored run after run. Hunter Pence erupted into a Buzz-Saw like lunatic, energizing his teammates before each game with a pre-game motivational scream fest. Not only that, but Pence hit. So did Pablo Sandoval. But it wasn’t just Pence who brought a bat to October baseball. Journeyman Marco Scutaro took home NLCS MVP honors posting a .500 batting average against the Cardinals.

The problem remains, can the Giants hitting match the Tiger big boppers? Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are scary enough alone. Alex Avilla, Omar Ifante, Jhonny Peralta, and Delmon Young have each had a major contribution as well. There is no easy out on the Detroit order. Power, scrappiness, constant contact, and long pitch counts is what to always expect from Jim Leyland’s lineup.

While the bullpen is Detroit’s only weakness, San Francisco’s is their starters. Lincecum has not been able to find his former Cy Young self all season and while Matt Cain has ace stuff, he’s no match for Verlander. Barry Zito has been able to turn back the clock, but still can’t eat up innings like he once did. The best Giant starter has been Ryan Vogelsong. Yup, I said it. SF is relying on former Pittsburgh Pirate cast off Ryan freakin’ Vogelsong! Can he keep up his stellar play against the Tigers vaunted lineup?!

Prediction: Valverde holds serve and the Tigers offense proves too much. Possibly facing Verlander three times in a series seems next to impossible to get over. Barry Bonds watched his Giants win the championship that alluded him (I thoroughly enjoyed this) once. He won’t have to again. Mike Illitch already owns four Stanley Cups thanks to the NHL’s Red Wings. He finally gets his first non hockey championship. The Detroit Tigers win the 2012 World Series in six games. 

Related posts:

1. Buzzed With The Buzz-Saw: 2012 MLB Divisonal Playoff Previews
2. The Howitzer & Buzz-Saw Show – Conquering Chaos
3. The Howitzer & Buzz-Saw Show – Magnets Attract

With the dust now settled over Wild Card play-in games, the true playoffs can now begin!

National League Division Series

Cincinnati Reds – NL Central Champion
Regular season record: 97-65

San Francisco Giants – NL West Champion
Regular season record: 94-68

This matchup pits two historic franchises, shockingly meeting in their first ever post-season series. Reds manager, Dusty Baker, also faces off against the team he led to the World Series back in 2002. It’s really simple with this series. Can the Giants pitching carry them, much the same way it did just two years ago? Is the Cincinnati offense powerful enough to overcome a questionable bullpen? I see this as favoring the Reds. While pitching does win championships, evident by the Giants 2010 title, that squad had even more pop than this one.

Buster Posey may be the next great catcher and NL MVP, but there’s just not enough power behind him. In baseball, unlike other sports, the opponent can literally shutdown their oppositions best player. Expect the “Posey 4″ to be incorporated as long as San Francisco is alive. The Reds lineup is stacked with Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, and the emergence of Jay Bruce. All Cincinnati has to do, is put up 4 runs a game and they should win. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain are one of the best 1-2 punches in the league. However, the Cy Young candidate in this series wears a red C on his hat. If Johnny Cueto can win, this may be a quick.

Prediction: Cincinnati in 4

Washington Nationals – NL East Champion
Regular season record: 98-64

St. Louis Cardinals – NL Wild Card
Regular season record: 88-74

The asininity of a team with 10 less wins hosting the first two games in a series irritates me to no end. Don’t think it couldn’t matter either. St. Louis is very tough at home and as we all learned last season, and in 2006, all the Cards need to do is get in. Regardless, that’s a rant for another day. On paper this is closer than you might think. Carlos Beltran’s signing proved to be the move of the off-season and after Lance Berkman, 2011′s NL Comeback Player of the Year suffered a serious injury, 2012′s crown holder stepped up. Beltran carried the Red Birds for large portions of the year. Beltran, Holliday, Craig, Molina, and Freese is nothing to sneeze at for a heart of a batting order. That’s filled with veterans, former All-Stars, and young studs. When Allen Craig owns 92 RBI, you have a strong offense. Will Mr. Freese bring his clutch bat from the 2011 playoffs with him again? He’s my difference maker.

Now the question does become can St. Louis’ offense cover for their lack of pitching? Washington could have two aces, but instead decided to shutdown Strasburg. Lucky for them, they still have one – Gio Gonzalez. The former Oakland A reject, led the National League in wins. Coupled with an equal, if not better, rest of the rotation, the Nats will be tough, even for any offense to deal with. Washington’s lineup may not scream with big names, that doesn’t matter. Three players hit 25 or more home runs – Adam LaRoche (33), Ryan Zimmerman, and Ian Desmond. LaRoche added exactly 100 RBI too. Oh yeah and there’s also this cocky kid in DC who’s not too shabby…. Don’t be surprised if Bryce Harper picks up one of those special playoff moments. The Nationals can hit and will hit enough to get by St. Louis.

Prediction: Washington in 5

American League Division Series

Oakland Athletics – AL West Champion
Regular season record: 94-68

Detroit Tigers – AL Central Champion
Regular season record: 88-74

If I showed you the rosters, you would laugh. This series sees one team throw out the reigning Cy Young and AL MVP, a Hall of Fame manager, and baseball’s first Triple Crown winner since 1967. What does the other team bring? A group that can only be perfectly labeled the “Funky Bunch.” Billy Beane did it again! He spent no money, filled a roster with no-names, and won. Will he finally have it succeed in the playoffs? That has been the problem for past Beane machine squads come October. Unfortunately, the honeymoon ends here. The Tigers were my pre-season AL pennant winner, so I can’t jump off now. Yes, they slept through 90% of the season. All that is now irrelevant. They woke up and got hot when it counted the most. Detroit still doesn’t have much after Verlander in the pen. A lack of rotation depth is largely why this team lost the 2006 World Series and the 2011 ALCS. It may hurt them later, just not yet. When a team has multiple MVP type guys that can carry the load and single handily win games, they are incredibly tough to beat, especially in short series. Miguel Cabrera gives Detroit a game by himself. Prince Fielder could do the same. There are three potential Hall of Famers on the Tigers roster. The only way an Athletic reaches Cooperstown is to purchase a ticket.

I don’t mean to give Oakland no shot though. The Baseball Gods have allowed weirder things to happen. Oakland poses a much stronger team defensively, captained by the waling cereal advertisement, Coco Crisp; pitchers that can’t blow anyone’s doors off, yet find a way; and some spotty power with the likes of Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes. For Oakland to win, they absolutely must steal Verlander’s start. Good luck, fellas.

Prediction: Detroit in 4

New York Yankees – AL East Champs
Regular season record: 95-67

Baltimore Orioles – AL Wild Card
Regular season record: 93-69

The Evil Empire vs a franchise making their first post-season appearance since 1997. Sounds like a no brainer, right? As Daniel Bryan would say, NO! NO! NO! New York has an All-Star team on paper, but hasn’t played always played like one. Funny enough, the man who is responsible for the Yankees being here is the man who gets the most hate from Yankee faithful. Curtis Granderson led his team in both homer runs (43) and RBI (106). Derek Jeter is not called “Captain Clutch” for nothing. Jeter will get his, A-Rod will be polarizing one way or another, but the hopes of the most storied franchise in professional sports history will be placed on Curtis Granderson. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Yankee fans. Teixeira and A-Rod will need to rebound from their miserable seasons too. Based on a very educated hunch, Ichiro, making his first trip to the playoffs since his rookie year of 2001, will be a ping-pong hitting force to be reckoned with. New York will score. Their question marks remain: is there enough after CC? And an issue the Yankees have never had to deal with since before the 90′s dynasty, can the bullpen hold up in a post-season without Mariano Rivera?

Baltimore got by Texas in the Wild Card play-in game. I equate this more to Texas falling ass backwards into the playoffs and being demoralized after losing the division to Oakland on the last day most of all. However, the Orioles are a bunch that never should be written off. Buck Showalter helped build a Yankee dynasty once and has watched others soak the champagne and wear the rings. He wants revenge! Adam Jones, Mark Reynolds, and company will try to get it for him. A squad with no ace and what would be an average fantasy lineup at best, seems to buck the trend (see what I did there?) and win no matter how much it makes no damn sense. Without Chris Davis, I’d pick New York. What I’ve seen from him in recent weeks may actually make him the most feared and powerful bat in this entire series currently. Runs will be at a premium. The trick for Baltimore is to be able to hold leads with starters that don’t go deep into games and a shaky bullpen. Conventional wisdom would say, Reynolds’ strikeouts outweigh his homers 2 to 1; Davis can’t do it alone, treating the 6th inning like a finish line for pitchers is a recipe for disaster; and the ghosts of Jeffery Maier will haunt Oriole Nation. Conventional wisdom hasn’t mattered yet for this scrappy group and conventional wisdom doesn’t always win in the playoffs. Hell the A’s could even beat Detroit and I wouldn’t be surprised. This is one of the worst Yankee teams in awhile and it will come to light. Sorry, Ichiro.

Prediction: Baltimore in 5

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