I'm really not surprised that the San Francisco Giants have taken a two games to none lead over the Texas Rangers in the 2010 World Series which began on Wednesday. What I am surprised about is the amount of runs they have scored, especially in Game 1 off of the seemingly unbeatable, Cliff Lee.
The Giants scored only 697 runs this year (9th in the National League) which was 16 runs fewer than the Arizona Diamondbacks who finished with 97 losses and 27 games behind San Francisco in the National League (NL) West Division. The win on their great pitching, lead by starters Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, and their lights out closer, Brian Wilson. They won so many agonizing, one run games that the Giants television announcers, Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow, dubbed their offense and they way they win, "Torture". With the way the Giants have crushed the Rangers in the first two games in San Francisco, the only torture anyone is feeling is the Rangers and their fans.
In Game 1, with the score tied at 2-2, the Giants broke the game wide open in the 5th inning by scoring 6 runs, 5 off of starter Lee, knocking him out of the game. The Giants added 3 more runs in the 8th inning and ended up winning 11-7. Lee suffered his first post season loss (9 starts, 7-0, 1-No Decision, before loss) which could also have served as a huge psychological let down to the Rangers.
Game 2 started off as a great pitching duel between the Rangers' C.J. Wilson and the Giants' Matt Cain. Cain hadn't allowed an earned run in three postseason starts in 14 1/3 innings going into the game. The game was scoreless until the 5th, when Edgar Renteria hit a high pitch deep into the left field stands to put the Giants up 1-0. The Giants added another run in the 7th on a walk to Cody Ross and an RBI single by Juan Uribe. In the 8th inning, the wheels fell off the wagon for the Rangers, as none of their pitchers could find the plate. Darren O'Day started the 8th inning pitching for the Rangers, and got two strikeouts (Andres Torres & Freddy Sanchez). Buster Posey singled and then lefty Derek Holland came in relief of O'Day to face Nick Schierholtz (who was a defensive replacement for Pat Burrell in the 7th). Holland walked Schierholtz on four straight pitches. He then walked Ross on four straight pitches as well to load the bases. After three straight balls to Aubrey Huff, Holland finally threw a strike, but ended up walking Huff on the very next pitch, forcing in a run. Holland was relieved by Mark Lowe who then walked Uribe to force in the 4th run of the inning. Renteria worked the count full, and then drove a pitch down the left field line, driving in two runs to put the Giants up 6-0. Lowe was then relieved by Michael Kirkman, who became the fourth pitcher of the inning for Texas. Aaron Rowand pinched-hit for Mark Fontenot (who was announced as a pinch-hitter but did not hit) and hit a triple to drive in two more runs. Torres came up for the second time in the inning, and doubled in a run. Finally, Kirkman was able to strike out Sanchez (2nd time he struck out in the inning) to put out the fire. The Rangers were retired quietly in the 9th (David Murphy walked, but was stranded on second). The Giants took Game 2, 9-0, and Cain increased his streak of not giving up and earned run to 21 1/3.
While the Rangers may be down, they are heading back home to Arlington for Game 3 on Saturday. I think this series will come down to the Giants and Rangers starters in Games 3 and 4. In Game 3, the Giants will start Jonathan Sanchez, who lead the NL in walks with 96. The Rangers will give the ball to Colby Lewis, who pitched the game of his career, leading the way to eliminating the Yankees in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. Game 4's probables will be Madison Bumgarner for the Giants and Tommy Hunter for the Rangers. There is an outside possibility, Cliff Lee could pitch Game 4 on short rest, but Rangers manager Ron Washington indicated before the series that he had no intention of doing so.
I think if the Rangers can get a solid start out of Lewis and Sanchez struggles like he did against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, the Rangers could take Game 3. Plus the Rangers have put up good offensive numbers at hitter friendly Rangers Ballpark at Arlington, which could give them an advantage as well. Game 4 will be interesting if both Bumgarner and Hunter face each other. Both are young pitchers who have very little experience. If the Rangers do take Game 3, it would make Game 4 that more pivotal, and whatever one of these youngsters handles the big stage better, could change the course of the series for their team.
In case you haven't heard by now, the Texas Rangers have never been to the World Series in their franchise history (1961-present) and the San Francisco Giants have never won a title since moving to San Francisco, from New York, back in 1958. Whoever wins, it will mean so much for their respective cities as both have been starving for a Major League Baseball World Championship for more than 50 years.
Game 3 is set for Saturday. First pitch will be at 6:57pm, on Fox.
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