Zito delivers in Game 1 of the World Series
After one game of the World Series I am still in shock. Justin Verlander, one of the most dominating and overpowering starting pitchers in baseball, was absolutely dreadful missing spot after spot and the Giants made him pay for it.
On the flip side, can you believe Barry Zito shut down the powerful Tigers offense?! How many people saw that coming? (I’m sure there are a few of you and congratulations but the majority of us thought Tigers take game one easily).
Zito finished with a stat line of 5.2 innings pitched, 6 hits, I earned run, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts with a 53-28 strike/ball ratio. Can you say feel good story of the World Series already?
Lets not forget that Barry Zito, now 34, was left OFF of the playoff roster for the World Series Giants just a few years back. This is the same guy who received a mega 7 year, $126 million dollar contract and was an absolute dud despite years of domination with the A’s.
How ridiculous is that commercial?
Zito, while playing for Oakland, was a fan favorite of many with his 12-6 curveball that dropped off the table arguably better than anyone in the game; Zito was the K master. As Zito continued to dominate opponents, everyone in baseball knew his days in Oakland would be numbered as the team wasn’t known for their spending (thus a movie made about them called Money Ball).
Since Zito joined the Giants in 2007, he has had more than his fair share of ups and downs with the organization; mostly the latter as he hasn’t bloomed into the player he was with Oakland but all that seems to be forgotten after Zito’s postseason play this year. If Zito can dazzle one more time in this series, fans will forget the millions of dollars wasted and bask in the glory of a second World Series win three years.
Winning game one of the World Series against one of the best pitchers and dominating lineups in baseball puts the Giants in a great position. Zito’s beautiful outing along with Timmy Lincecum’s stellar relief work plus the hot streak of the Kung Fu Panda give Giants fans a reason to cheer. But… This series is far from over as the Tigers won’t go down easily (as long as their starting pitchers stay in the game because that bullpen is VERY suspect).
I expect this series to go a minimum of six games. Although I really like the Tigers starting pitching and powerful lineup, I think the red hot Giants may be just a little too much for them to handle. The Giants must continue to bring out the bats if they want to get the W in this series. If the Giants can steal game 2, they will be in the driver seat for another World Series victory as the Game 3 matchup of Cain vs Scherzer is going to be a doozy for baseball fans (I think Cain has the better game of the two).
Although I’m not a fan of either team, I expect a thrilling series to recap another solid baseball season. Lets go Pirates?
Let’s Play Ball!
The Cover 4 
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