The Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants are set to play Game 2 of the 2012 World Series on Thursday night at AT&T Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:07 ET on FOX
Detroit Tigers vs. San Francisco Giants
Detroit failed to deliver as a heavy road favorite with its ace on the mound on Wednesday night, as the club suffered an 8-3 loss to San Francisco in Game 1. “Is it disappointing? Yeah,” commented Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander. “There’s nobody in there hanging their heads at all.” The Tigers have a chance to bounce back, as they split eight games after Verlander losses during the 2012 MLB regular season. Detroit is 4-0 in its last four playoff games as a favorite of -110 to -150, while the UNDER is 6-2-2 in its last 10 games on the road.
Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister (10-10, 3.45 ERA) led the club to victory in both of his playoff starts to this point despite failing to record a decision, including a 6-4 road win over the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series on Oct. 13. The right-hander went 4-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 13 road games during the regular season, issuing 18 walks and striking out 66 batters in 80.1 combined frames. Fister will be facing the Giants for the first time in his career.
San Francisco is hoping to become the 12th-straight home team to win the opening game and eventual become World Series champions since 1993, while Game 1 winners have won it all 61.7 percent of the time overall. “This is a great way to start,” stated Giants manager Bruce Bochy. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval was the star of the show, becoming only the fourth player to have a three-homer game in the Fall Classic. San Francisco is 7-2 in its last nine playoff games as an underdog.
Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (16-11, 3.37 ERA) has been hit hard in losing his two postseason starts this year, allowing 10 runs and 15 hits over eight combined innings. The left-hander finished with an impressive 10-3 record and 2.38 ERA in 15 home starts during the regular season, with opposing hitters batting just .219 against him. Bumgarner gave up just a single run and five hits over 7.1 innings in a no-decision effort against the Tigers on July 1, 2011.
Sports bettors will likely back the Giants due to their 11-2 record in Bumgarner’s last 13 home starts with a total of 7.0 to 8.5, while the Tigers are 1-7 in Fister’s last eight starts as a road favorite of -110 to -150.
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