Well, each series the Giants have started at home and each round they have gotten a little better. Against the Reds, they lost the first two, then they split with the Cardinals and now they head to Detroit with a 2-0 lead. Momentum is clearly on the Giants side and, with the next 3 games in Detroit, they need to capitalize on it. While the numbers suggest that the Giants are in firm control, only 11 out of 52 teams has overcome an 0-2 hole to win the world series, the Giants should know how quickly that can all change.
The Giants have dominated the Tigers hitters thus far in the series but the Tigers have played much better at home all year including these playoffs. They are yet to lose a game at home and that is the test that the Giants face. Detroit is now 54-31 at home for the year and 41-46 on the road. Clearly they are looking forward to turning the tide of this series in their own ballpark. So, we won't see anymore embarrassing outfield throws by Delmon Young for a while and we will have to find a DH for up to the next three games.
As impressive as the Tigers are at home, the Giants may be more impressive on the road. They finished the regular season winning 26 out of their last 37. In the postseason, they became the first team all year to sweep three games in Cincinatti (who had the same home record as these Tigers) and took just one out of three in St. Louis. So, they head into this winning 30 out of their last 43 away from AT&T park and that is something they can take a lot of confidence in. Detroit is not a friendly place for visitors to play but the Giants don't really seem to mind hostile environments.
The goal is to win two games and not worry about coming back home for anything more than a parade. However, if they fail to do so, they do have homefield on their side again for game 6 and 7 if necessary. The Tigers are the ones who have to make a statement now. At this point, they know what the Giants are all about and they should come out ready to make a statement tomorrow night. Tomorrow nights game is huge for this series, if the Tigers lose they would face a near impossible 3-0 deficit with Matt Cain due to throw the clincher. If the Tigers win tomorrow, no matter what, they get Verlander back on the hill for game five in front of the home crowd. While the Giants want to end this series in Detroit, the Tigers just want to extend it back to San Francisco. It should be fun to watch the Giants momentum battling a raucous Tiger fan base and a rejuvenated Tiger team.
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