Tyler Kepner of the New York Times on the Tigers-Giants Matchup
"The Giants host the first two World Series games, partly because of their fans, who sell out every game and stuffed the online ballot box for the All-Star Game. Three Giants — Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval and Melky Cabrera — were voted into the lineup, while Matt Cain was the starting pitcher. The N.L. rocked the Tigers’ Justin Verlander to secure home-field advantage in the World Series." To read, click here.
Howard Bryant of ESPN.com on Jim Leyland:
"He's the bridge between the hardhats, the working class, the retired and the downsized, the auto men and the ironworkers and the roofers who remember cracking a beer to Sparky's Boys -- Trammell and Whitaker, Morris and Gibson -- and today's more complicated, multicultural team of Cabreras and Infantes and Valverdes. It is a new breed, but the old man is still there, bridging the gaps, vouching for them." To read, click here.
Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com on Prince Fielder:
"Superstars who change teams deal with added pressure from themselves, fans, or media, while adjusting to a new city, new manager and (in the case of Pujols and Fielder) a new league of pitchers. Fielder acquitted himself quite well, ranking fourth in the American League with a .940 OPS while posting the fifth 30-homer, 100-RBI season of his career. But the transition wasn’t entirely seamless, after the 28-year-old left the only professional organization he had known." To read, click here.
Les Carpenter in Yahoo!Sports on Barry Zito and Justin Verlander:
"In another decade, another time, the forgotten pitcher was once the dominator: a name discussed with both fear and awe. In another decade, another time, Barry Zito was Justin Verlander – maybe not a man blessed with a scorching fastball – but the possessor of a breathtaking curve and enough guile to confound batters who waved meekly at his pitches." To read, click here.
