This is unfamiliar territory for the first-time World Series participant Texas Rangers, as they come into the best-of-seven final as -130 World Series favorites over the underdog (+110) San Francisco Giants.
Neither team was expected to get past the LCS. San Francisco knocked off 2008 champion Philadelphia in six games to win the NLCS, while Texas stymied the reigning champion Yankees in a six-game series to clinch their first AL banner.
[ {B}World Series Game 1 Matchup Report{/B} - {URL=/Stats/Matchup/Baseball/MLB/40048}click here{/URL} ]
The Giants' pitching, which combined for a 2.46 ERA against the Phillies and Braves, is the reason for their appearance. The Rangers are also very efficient on the mound – posting a 2.76 ERA against the Yankees and Rays.
ADVERTISEMENT: Get the Sportsbook World Series odds as well as game lines, player props and odds on how many games the series will last when you check out Sportsbook today.
Cliff Lee will take his perfect 7-0 postseason record and start his second straight World Series opener, this time as a member of the Texas Rangers. He won Games 1 and 5 last year as a member of the Phillies. Combined with his astounding 1.26 ERA in the playoffs, and his ability under pressure, it’s easy to see why most books have Texas as -125 favorites in the opener.
Tim Lincecum is no slouch either, and he will start for the San Francisco Giants. Lincecum has allowed just five earned runs over 23 innings in the playoffs, while striking out 29 batters. Considering the over-under is listed early at a tiny 5.5, it might be wise to look at the OVER for Game 1.
Cody Ross’ clutch hitting was rewarded with him getting chosen as the NLCS MVP. If he and others like Buster Posey and Juan Uribe keep banging out hits, the Giants will have some weapons to beat away at the tough bullpen of the Rangers.
There’s plenty of power on the Texas side of the plate, but they were also retooled on the mound. If Darren O’Day and Darren Oliver provide solid middle relief, kid finisher Neftali Feliz can shut the door on any powerful lineup late in the game.
In the short history of matchups between these two teams the Rangers have struggled at AT&T Park – going 0 for 9. Does that result make you want to look at the underdog Giants to knock off Lee and company in the Sportsbook matchup?
The rotation for the series is not carved in stone, but it could look something like this; Lee will start Game 1 for sure for Texas, while C.J. Wilson or Colby Lewis will follow him. With the primarily right-handed hitting Giants, it could be Lewis for Game 2.
Tommy Hunter will likely get the start for Game 4. After Lincecum, the Giants haven’t announced the rest of their starters, but it will have Matt Cain or Jonathan Sanchez for Games 2 and 3, while Madison Bumgarner could go in Game 4. First pitch is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:55 p.m. ET.
