orioles

The Giants are small-balling their way to the World Series and the Tigers still don't seem to be able to muster any offense to choke off the momentum. San Francisco managed another shut out last night - the last time back to back shut outs happened in the World Series was when the Orioles did it in 1966 ... and that's the only other time it's been done! Cain is something of an unknown quantity where the Detroit hitters are concerned and interestingly, Scherzer (who has been outstanding) has traditionally struggled against the Giants. This is all about momentum though. [b]Pick: San Francisco Giants @ 2.33[/b]

Bumgarner comes good and the Giants are out to a two game lead. I've taken a little of the 3.6+ available on the Tigers for the World Series. This is a team with a strong rotation and dangerous hitters and the Giants have ridden the wave of emotion at home and caught a few breaks, but if Detroit can find some form at the plate, they can come back in a hurry. Tonight's game looks like going the way of the home team, but I can't back the Tigers at the price, especially as their bats are so anaemic and Vogelsong hasn't given up more than one run in his last six starts. Of Sanchez's last ten starts, nine have been quality starts, so all the numbers suggest a pitchers' duel. It's at a cool Comerica and Fieldin Culbreth is 13/23 O/U behind home. I'll go Under. [i] [b]Under 7 @ ...

1.92/10.50; 1.53/2.55 WHIP/ERA Madison Bumgarner; Doug Fister L3. Tigers hitting lefties at .307 L5 and Giants just hitting. I'd prefer it without Dan Iassogna behind home, but this goes Over. [b]Pick: Over 7 @ 2.00[/b]

Verlander has been brutal this season and even more so in the post-season, which is a change of pace for him as he traditionally fell away at this time of year. Barry Zito was aces last time out, but isn't in the same league as the Tigers' hurler tonight and he'll need to reproduce that form to get close. However, Detroit have been sitting around the clubhouse for a week drinking beers and eating hot wings, with the back end of the bullpen not having thrown in quite a while longer. Meanwhile, San Francisco have hauled themselves back from the brink, largely because of the effect of playing at AT&T Park in front of their own fans. With the downtime and this kind of momentum the Giants must be the value - it'll be a tough go, but I'll take the price on the home dog to upset Verlander...

See below - there's some 1.8 around.

CC Sabathia has been strong at Comerica this season, putting in three QS L3 and winning them all, but the Yankees still aren't hitting and he got 27 runs of support in those games . Detroit's problem is the back of their 'pen and if the Yankees can get any runs home, or even keep it to a one run game, they can extend the series - look for a little interest in-running late if it is tight. However, all the momentum is with the home side who'll want to finish things tonight, so I'm going Under. [b][i]Pick: Under 7 @ 1.83[/i][/b]