The Fall Classic is upon us. The usual suspects are missing from this one though and are replaced by a pair of upstart young teams in the San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers.
The talent is fantastic on both sides and this promises to be a great World Series filled with drama. There’s a lot on the line. One team, the Rangers is looking for it’s first championship in franchise history, while the Giants are looking to end a five year drought of their own.
Many will be turned off because there are no Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies or any of the other October regulars. No need to worry though as both of these teams belong here.
Are you a fan of great pitching? Then your in luck because the Giants are pitching deep, finishing the season with the best team era in the game.
The Rangers aren’t without their share of great arms as they will be sending Cliff Lee to the mound in Game 1. As Lee has proven in the past, anytime he starts in October, something special can happen.
If your not a fan of the young power arms and would rather see some offensive explosions, this series has that as well.
The Rangers, led by Josh Hamilton, finished the regular season as the fifth highest scoring offense in the game.
This series truly has something for everyone. Who has the edge?
Let’s take a look.
Catcher
Giants:
Buster Posey: .305 BA, 18 HR, 67 RBI
Eli Whiteside: .238 BA, 4 HR, 10 RBI
Rangers:
Bengie Molina: .249 BA, 5 HR, 36 RBI
Matt Treanor: .211 BA, 5 HR, 27 RBI
Molina is a big piece of both clubs. The Rangers acquired him for his leadership and he’s handled the young Texas staff very well since being acquired. On the other hand, the Giants dealt Molina to clear room for Posey to 
catch everyday.
Posey quickly has established himself as one of the best offensive catchers in the game. His defense is also well above where it should be at this early stage of his career.
On a side note, the big winner is Molina, who is guaranteed a ring no matter who wins. The Giants have already said Molina will get one if they win the series, so maybe a little less pressure on the eldest Molina, who is considering retirement after the World Series. That is a very desirable position for Molina to be in, playing in the World Series and receiving a ring whether his current team wins or loses.
Edge: Giants
First Base
Rangers:
Mitch Moreland:.255 BA, 9 HR, 25 RBI
Jorge Cantu: .256 BA, 11 HR, 56 RBI
Giants:
Aubrey Huff: .290, 26 HR, 86 RBI
Travis Ishikawa: .266 BA, 3 HR, 22 RBI
Oddly enough for a team that has such a great offense like the Rangers that first base would be one of the weaker spots in the lineup. Moreland has done a good enough job after Texas dealt Justin Smoak to obtain Cliff Lee, but Huff is one of the more consistent producers in the Giants lineup.
Edge: Giants
Second Base
Rangers:
Ian Kinsler: .286 BA, 9 HR, 45 RBI
Andres Blanco: .277 BA, 0 HR, 13 RBI
Giants:
Freddy Sanchez: .292 BA, 7 HR, 47 RBI
Mike Fontenot: .283 BA, 1 HR, 25 RBI
Kinsler has become a complete ball player. While the power has dropped off a bit this season, he’s capable of doing anything on the diamond. He also is very good defensively and an excellent base runner. Don’t discount Kinsler’s power though, as there is still time for him to go on a tear.
Sanchez also had a very good season. His defense was a surprise and while he has much less power and ability to produce runs then Kinsler, he has the clutch factor. Needing a big hit, Sanchez might be the one guy who you want at the plate, as he has the knack for always coming through.
Edge: Rangers
Third Base
Rangers:
Michael Young: .284 BA, 21 HR, 91 RBI
Jorge Cantu: .256 BA, 11 HR, 56 RBI
Giants:
Mike Fontenot: .283 BA, 1 HR, 25 RBI
Pablo Sandoval: .268 BA, 13 HR, 63 RBI
Juan Uribe: .248 BA, 24 HR, 85 RBI
Young has been a Ranger longer than anyone and as usual had a pretty solid season. He struggled a bit in the second half, but I wouldn’t bet against Young being a huge part of this series.
Sandoval, on the other hand, didn’t quite have the season most expected him to. More often then not, the Giants have found ways to get Kung Fu Panda out of the lineup and get a better glove in.
Edge: Rangers
Shortstop
Rangers:
Elvis Andrus: .265 BA, 0 HR, 35 RBI, 32 SB
Andres Blanco: .277 BA, 0 HR, 13 RBI
Giants:
Juan Uribe: .248 BA, 24 HR, 85 RBI
Edgar Renteria: .276 BA, 3 HR, 22 RBI
Andrus is a huge part of the reason why the Rangers are here. Don’t let the stat line fool you. He’s a dynamic young player, who makes things happen with his aggressiveness on the base paths. This is just the start of great things for Andrus.
Uribe, delivered not one but two big late inning at bats for the Giants to win two games against the Phillies. He has the knack of coming up with the big at bat in key situations. Expect that to continue.
This one is probably the toughest one to call, but I expect Andrus to make things happen with his speed.
Edge: Rangers
Outfield
Rangers:
Josh Hamilton: .360 BA, 32 HR, 100 RBI, 1.048 OPS
Nelson Cruz: .318 BA, 22 HR, 78 RBI, 17 SB
David Murphy: .291 BA, 12 HR, 65 RBI, 14 SB
Jeff Francoeur: .249 BA, 13 HR, 65 RBI
Julio Borbon: .276 BA, 3 HR, 42 RBI, 15 SB
Giants:
Pat Burrell: .252 BA, 20 HR, 64 RBI
Andres Torres: .268 BA, 16 HR, 63 RBI
Cody Ross: .269 BA, 14 HR, 65 RBI
Nate Schierholtz: .242 BA, 3 HR, 17 RBI
Hamilton has a chance to add the AL MVP and World Series MVP to his ALCS MVP Trophy. He’s clearly the biggest offensive threat in either dugout. Cruz and Murphy also help out a great deal offensively. Throw in what you get from Francoeur as well and this outfield is stacked and can put up big numbers in the series.
The Giants outfield has basically been patched together. Torres is a solid lead off guy. They got Burrell off the scrap heap and he’s rejuvenated his career and Ross was lights out in the NLCS.
They don’t compare to the Texas outfield though.
Edge: Rangers
Designated Hitter
Rangers:
Vladimir Guerrero: .300 BA, 29 HR, 115 RBI
Giants:
Pablo Sandoval: .268 BA, 13 HR, 63 RBI
The American League usually has the big edge at DH in the World Series. That’s the case this year as well. Vlad had a monster season. I guess he still has a little left in the tank after all.
On the other hand, if there was a National League player suited to be a DH, it’s likely Sandoval.
Edge: Rangers
Bench
Rangers:
Matt Treanor: .211 avg, 5 HR, 27 RBI
Jorge Cantu: .256 avg, 11 HR, 56 RBI
Andres Blanco: .277 avg, 0 HR, 13 RBI
David Murphy: .291 avg, 12 HR, 65 RBI, 14 SB
Jeff Francoeur: .249 avg, 13 HR, 65 RBI
Giants:
Aaron Rowand: .230 avg, 11 HR, 34 RBI
Nate Schierholtz: .242 avg, 3 HR, 17 RBI
Edgar Renteria: .276 avg 3 HR, 22 RBI
Jose Guillen: .258 avg, 19 HR, 77 RBI
Pablo Sandoval: .268 avg, 13 HR, 63 RBI
Not much separates the two benches. For the Giants, all five guys could play a role in this series, while likely on Francoeur and Murphy get the opportunity for Texas.
Edge: Giants
Starting Pitching
Rangers:
Cliff Lee: 12-9, 3.18 ERA
C.J. Wilson: 15-8, 3.35 ERA
Colby Lewis: 12-13, 3.72 ERA
Tommy Hunter: 13-4, 3.73 ERA
Giants:
Tim Lincecum: 16-10, 3.43 ERA
Matt Cain: 13-11, 3.14 ERA
Jonathan Sanchez: 13-9, 3.07 ERA
Madison Bumgarner: 7-6, 3.00 ERA
Cliff Lee is the guy everyone will want to talk about and for good reason. Lee is on pace to become one of the greatest post-season pitchers ever- if he’s not already there.
Wilson, Lewis, and Hunter are all quality arms, but I have to lean towards the Giants.
San Francisco will run out the two-time Cy Young Award winner in Lincecum. They will follow with a workhorse in Cain, a very good Sanchez and possibly Bumgarner, who could possibly be the sleeper of the series.
Depending on how things go early, the Rangers can also consider turning to a three man rotation, allowing Lee to pitch three times.
Edge: Giants
Middle Relief
Rangers:
Derek Holland: 3-4, 4.08 ERA
Darren Oliver: 1-2, 2.48 ERA
Darren O’Day: 6-2, 2.03 ERA
Alexi Ogando: 4-1, 1.30 ERA
Michael Kirkman: 0-0, 1.65 ERA
Dustin Nippert: 4-5, 4.29 ERA
Giants:
Sergio Romo: 5-3, 2.18 ERA
Santiago Casilla: 7-2, 1.95 ERA
Jeremy Affeldt: 4-3, 4.14 ERA
Javier Lopez: 4-2, 2.34 ERA
Ramon Ramirez: 1-3, 2.99 ERA
The Giants bullpen is a big reason the will be playing on Wednesday night. They’ve all got the job done. Lopez has been great against lefties as well since they acquired him from Pittsburgh. Expect him to face Hamilton on more then one occasion.
The Texas pen has been mostly good, aside from the Game 1 blow up in the ALCS, but it doesn’t compare with that of the Giants. Holland will play a big role in this series though.
These ten guys could end up playing a major role in who wins this series.
Edge: Giants
Closer
Rangers:
Neftali Feliz: 4-3, 2.73 ERA, 40 SV
Giants:
Brian Wilson: 3-3, 1.81 ERA, 48 SV
Feliz has had a great rookie season, but will the moment get to him? We’ve seen it happen before.
Wilson has proven he can go more than an inning if needed. The moment won’t be too big for the veteran righty. Plus you have to fear that beard.
Edge: Giants
Manager
Rangers:
Ron Washington
Giants:
Bruce Bochy
Two great managers who their players would run through a brick wall for. Bochy gets the slight edge. he’s been there before and it was fun to watch him push every right button in the NLCS.
It would be a shame to see either guy lose, but I have to give Bochy the slight edge.
Edge: Giants
Prediction
Tough one to call here, but I’m going with the pitching. The Giants bullpen makes the difference in what will turn out to be a great World Series.
Prediction: Giants in 7
MVP: Buster Posey
