Bobby Maxwell
Thursday's winner...
600-Unit World Series Absolute Lock - SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (must list Cain as starter for the Giants)
Major surprise in Game 1 of the World Series as the Giants brought their bats with them and pounded out an 11-7 victory, banging out 14 hits against Texas ace Cliff Lee. Tonight, I’m looking for them to make it two in a row with right-hander Matt Cain (14-11, 2.96 ERA) on the mound.
Cain was outstanding in both of his playoff starts, going seven innings against the Phillies without allowing a run in a 3-0 victory and allowing one unearned run in a 5-4 loss to the Braves in the NLDS. The guy was as good as anyone down the stretch this season, giving up just two runs in 22 innings from mid to late September in winning three games.
Cain has made one career start against the Rangers, dominating them back in June 2009 when he allowed one run in eight innings and struck out eight in a 2-1 Giants win in San Francisco.
Lefty C.J. Wilson (16-9, 3.40 ERA) is on the mound for Texas and he did not look so good against the Yankees, losing both starts and giving up nine runs (eight earned) in 12 innings of work. He has allowed three runs or more in five of his last nine starts and the Rangers are just 4-5 in those nine games.
I know the distance between series is big, but San Francisco has now beaten the Rangers eight straight times, 12 of the last 13 clashes and 10 straight times in California.
With Cain on the mound, the Giants have been very good, including 23-9 with him at home, 8-2 overall, 5-2 against winning teams and 4-1 against the A.L. West. Texas is on slides of 4-14 against the N.L. West, 8-24 in National League stadiums and 0-5 when Wilson is off for 7 or more days.
I’ll go with the home-standing Giants and look for a gem from Matt Cain. Play San Francisco to take a 2-0 lead before heading out to Texas.
