Jeff Mattingly previews Game 1 of the World Series between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.
Texas won its first American League pennant with a 4-2 series win in the American League Championship Series and now is set to play in its first World Series in franchise history. The Rangers have homered in all 11 games of this postseason (17 total) and went 14-4 against National League teams during interleague play this year. The team has gone just 7-15 in regular season interleague games all-time against the Giants, including just 2-12 in San Francisco. Bettors must realize that Texas is 0-9 all-time at AT&T Park. The squad is 44-43 on the road this season.
Rangers starting pitcher Cliff Lee is scheduled to make his ninth career postseason start and is looking to win his seventh consecutive outing in the playoffs. "Cliff Lee, superhero," said Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval said. The left-hander is 3-0 with a 0.72 ERA and two complete games in three career Game 1 starts, which is the lowest earned-run-average among the 54 pitchers who have at least three career Game 1 starts in the postseason. He posted a 7-6 record and 3.53 ERA over 15 road starts in 2010, with his ERA being 64 points higher than at home (2.79). Lee is a perfect 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in three career starts versus the Giants.
San Francisco will be playing in the World Series for the fourth time since moving to the Bay Area in 1958. The Giants will attempt to win their first Fall Classic since 1954 and the franchise has posted a 10-7 mark in World Series openers. "I like the Giants in this series," said Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel. "Start with San Francisco's pitching. The only way you can beat them is with patience." Outfielder Cody Ross led the offensive charge versus the Phillies being named NLCS MVP, batting .350 with three home runs and five RBI in six games. The club was 7-8 during interleague play this season.
Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum has posted a 2-1 record and 1.93 ERA in three postseason starts this year, splitting his two starts versus the Phillies in the NLCS after tallying an impressive 1-0 complete game win against the Braves in the NLDS. The right-hander was 16-10 with a 3.43 ERA in 33 regular season starts. He compiled a solid 9-7 mark and 3.69 ERA in 17 regular season starts at home, issuing 46 walks and picking up 116 strikeouts in 107.1 innings of work. Lincecum will be making his first career start versus Texas tonight.
Bettors will certainly be interested in backing the Rangers due to their 10-1 record in interleague road games, while the Giants are 5-1 in their last six games as a home underdog.
Texas won its first American League pennant with a 4-2 series win in the American League Championship Series and now is set to play in its first World Series in franchise history. The Rangers have homered in all 11 games of this postseason (17 total) and went 14-4 against National League teams during interleague play this year. The team has gone just 7-15 in regular season interleague games all-time against the Giants, including just 2-12 in San Francisco. Bettors must realize that Texas is 0-9 all-time at AT&T Park. The squad is 44-43 on the road this season.
Rangers starting pitcher Cliff Lee is scheduled to make his ninth career postseason start and is looking to win his seventh consecutive outing in the playoffs. "Cliff Lee, superhero," said Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval said. The left-hander is 3-0 with a 0.72 ERA and two complete games in three career Game 1 starts, which is the lowest earned-run-average among the 54 pitchers who have at least three career Game 1 starts in the postseason. He posted a 7-6 record and 3.53 ERA over 15 road starts in 2010, with his ERA being 64 points higher than at home (2.79). Lee is a perfect 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in three career starts versus the Giants.
San Francisco will be playing in the World Series for the fourth time since moving to the Bay Area in 1958. The Giants will attempt to win their first Fall Classic since 1954 and the franchise has posted a 10-7 mark in World Series openers. "I like the Giants in this series," said Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel. "Start with San Francisco's pitching. The only way you can beat them is with patience." Outfielder Cody Ross led the offensive charge versus the Phillies being named NLCS MVP, batting .350 with three home runs and five RBI in six games. The club was 7-8 during interleague play this season.
Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum has posted a 2-1 record and 1.93 ERA in three postseason starts this year, splitting his two starts versus the Phillies in the NLCS after tallying an impressive 1-0 complete game win against the Braves in the NLDS. The right-hander was 16-10 with a 3.43 ERA in 33 regular season starts. He compiled a solid 9-7 mark and 3.69 ERA in 17 regular season starts at home, issuing 46 walks and picking up 116 strikeouts in 107.1 innings of work. Lincecum will be making his first career start versus Texas tonight.
Bettors will certainly be interested in backing the Rangers due to their 10-1 record in interleague road games, while the Giants are 5-1 in their last six games as a home underdog.
