World Series Game 1 Preview and Prediction

Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander has waited eight days to make his World Series Game 1 start. (Danny Moloshok)

World Series Game 1 - Detroit Tigers @ San Francisco Giants
Wednesday October 24 - 8:00 PM EST, FOX

Starting Pitchers

Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers - Verlander is the best pitcher in baseball. I don't care what anyone else has to say. He is capable of getting it done in different ways. In his two playoff starts against the Oakland Athletics, he struck out 11 batters in both games. However, when he faced the New York Yankees in the ALCS, he only stuck out three. Verlander rarely has a bad outing and seems to always last deep into ball games to help out his far from rock solid bullpen.

Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants - Zito has been around baseball for a long time. His tumultuous ups-and-downs are well known among baseball fans and experts alike. Zito is ten years removed from his Cy Young campaign, but he is pitching like his vintage self as of late. In a must-win Game 5 of the NLCS, Zito came out and threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings, shutting down a previously red hot St. Louis Cardinals offense. If he is able to pitch anything like that in Game 1, we could be in for a very low scoring ball game.

Why Each Team Will Win

Tigers - They are well-rested and focused coming into the game and know the task set before them. They have the best pitcher in baseball starting the game. Their lineup is loaded and features one of the best one-two punches in baseball in Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. They also benefit from being fresher and healthier.

Giants - They have been playing everyday and their offense showed it's ready after beating the Cardinals 9-0 in Game 7. They have a long stretch of winning games with Zito on the mound, so that only has to help their confidence. They also benefit from the fact that the Tigers bullpen has been very shaky, especially closer Jose Valverde.

Prediction

Tigers 3 Giants 2 - It's just too hard to pick against Verlander here. He has been so dominant this postseason. I believe that Cabrera or Fielder will come up with a decisive hit late. My only concern is that if Verlander doesn't throw a complete game, I am not nearly as confident that Valverde or whoever else can close out the win.