The San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers will meet in Game 3 of the 2012 World Series on Saturday night at Comerica Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:07 ET on FOX
San Francisco Giants vs. Detroit Tigers
San Francisco is certainly in the driver’s seat after winning both games in the Bay Area to open up the Fall Classic, especially when you consider that 41 of 52 teams to take a 2-0 lead in this event have gone on to win it all. “It’s a lot less stressful, for sure,” commented Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner. The Giants have won their last five postseason games, which is the longest such streak in team history. San Francisco is 11-7 as a road underdog of +125 to +150.
Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (14-9, 3.37 ERA) has led the club to three victories during the MLB playoffs, including a pair of home wins against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series. The right-hander surrendered just two runs and eight hits over 14 combined frames in those efforts. In 16 regular-season road starts this year, Vogelsong tallied a 7-5 record and 3.87 ERA, with opposing hitters batting .256 against him.
Detroit dropped the first two games of this series in facing left-handed starters, which has been a problem all year, considering the lineup batted .253 versus southpaws and .275 against right-handed pitching. “I’m sure that’s why they pitched two left-handers in the first two games,” commented Tigers manager Jim Leyland. The Tigers have lost five straight World Series games, but could end up in the victory column in this spot, as the club has won five postseason games in a row at this ballpark. Detroit is 7-1 at home with a total of 7 or less on the season, with the UNDER going 6-2 in that situation.
Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (9-13, 3.86 ERA) earned a 3-0 road victory over the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series on Oct. 14, allowing just three hits over seven shutout frames. The right-hander was 5-7 with a 4.52 ERA in 15 home starts during the regular season, but ended up with a 3-2 mark and 3.47 ERA in six efforts in the Motor City. In five lifetime appearances against the Giants, Sanchez has registered a 3-1 record and 1.98 ERA, issuing seven walks and striking out 31 batters in 36.1 innings.
Sports bettors will likely back the Tigers due to their 20-6 record versus right-handed starters at home, while the Giants are 25-51 in their last 76 road games against AL opponents when facing a right-hander.
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