Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong has a great opportunity to put the Detroit Tigers up against the ropes in Game 3 of the 2012 MLB World Series.
Vogelsong has performed brilliantly this season as he has posted a 14-9 record with a 3.37 earned run average and a career-high 158 strikeouts in 189 2/3 innings. Although it does not seem possible, the 35-year-old has pitched even better in the postseason. His 2-0 record and 1.42 ERA is the best among San Francisco’s starting pitchers while his 18 strikeouts lead the team.
The right-hander has only allowed one earned run in each of the three games he has started this postseason. Not to mention, his most recent outing was the best in which he struck out a career-high nine batters in seven innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.
There is no question Vogelsong is on a tear as he prepares to pitch in his first World Series. The fact he has scorched so many teams in his path has to have the Tigers worried. The reality of the situation is Detroit cannot afford to drop a game at home and be down three games to San Francisco. It appears the last pitcher they would want to face on the Giants in this situation is Vogelsong considering the way he has been playing.
The good news for the Tigers is that they have a good pitcher who will match up against Vogelsong. Anibal Sanchez is 1-1 in two games this postseason with a 1.35 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings. Sanchez pitched phenomenally in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series in which he did not surrender a run in seven innings against the New York Yankees.
Game 3 of the World Series is shaping up to have the best pitching duel that no one could have anticipated before the start of the postseason. Sanchez will give the Tigers a good chance to win at home but the way Vogelsong is commanding his pitches has to have fans in Detroit wondering what their destiny is.
Michael is a MLB and NBA Featured Writer for Rant Sports, but covers topics for various teams in baseball, basketball, and football. Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter @MichaelTerrill and on Facebook.
