San Francisco Giants vs. Detroit Tigers: Will Rest or Momentum Be Bigger Edge?

Will the Detroit Tigers be hurt by a nearly week-long layoff?

That's been the question hanging over the Tigers since they finished off the New York Yankees in a four-game ALCS sweep last Thursday (Oct. 18) and put themselves in the position of having to wait until Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday (Oct. 24). 

The question has even more resonance for Detroit since the situation echoes the one it faced before the 2006 World Series. After sweeping the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS, a long break left the Tigers flat and lethargic. They were no match for the St. Louis Cardinals, losing the series in five games. 

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants appear to be riding a locomotive of momentum into the World Series after winning three straight games to beat the Cards in the NLCS. This follows three consecutive victories to win their NLDS versus the Cincinnati Reds. 

Clearly, the Tigers should consider not taking a 3-1 series lead over the Giants in the World Series. San Francisco will just win three straight games to overcome a seemingly insurmountable deficit and finish on top. Falling behind 0-2 might be the best strategy for Detroit. 

But seriously, this World Series matchup provides a great contrast in terms of how each team reached the Fall Classic. Is it better to get a break and come in well-rested or to keep playing, stay sharp and ride momentum into the final series of the season?

The prospect of losing certainly can't scare the Giants. They've faced elimination for the past three games of the NLCS. San Francisco is 6-0 in elimination games during this postseason. 

After sweeping the Yankees, the Tigers might not quite remember what defeat feels like. Though three of the four ALCS games were close, Detroit arguably was only in danger of losing Game 1 after the Yankees tied the score 4-4 in the ninth inning. 

Recognizing the parallels to 2006, Tigers manager Jim Leyland remembers how listless his team looked after being off for a week. I would guess that Leyland has been thinking about this for the past six years, planning what he would do differently if Detroit ever returned to the World Series under similar circumstances.

Unsurprisingly, Leyland has taken steps to make sure the Tigers stay as sharp as possible. As MLB.com's Jason Beck reported, Detroit called up several minor-leaguers to scrimmage the major-league club and keep it prepared for the series to come. 

But is that the same as facing major-league competition under the most stressful of circumstances, as the Giants just did? Probably not.

An MLB team never takes a five-day break like the one the Tigers have been on. With only a one-day layoff—which is typically what a club would get during the season—San Francisco will almost certainly be sharper when the World Series begins. 

But what about this momentum thing? The Giants have won three straight games by a combined score of 20-1. In a do-or-die Game 7, San Francisco batters pounded out nine runs and 14 hits. Matt Cain pitched 5.2 scoreless innings for his best start of the postseason. Everything seems to be working for them right now. 

Yet having to scratch and claw through a seven-game series has also left the Giants battered, especially in regards to their starting rotation.

Legendary Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver once famously said, "Momentum is the next day's starting pitcher." If that holds true, then the Tigers may truly have the momentum as the World Series begins.

Detroit's layoff has allowed Leyland to set up his starting rotation exactly as he wants it, specifically with Justin Verlander starting Game 1 on Wednesday. That sets him up to also start Game 5 and possibly pitch relief in Game 7. 

Doug Fister will start Game 2 for the Tigers, followed by Anibal Sanchez in Game 3 and Max Scherzer for Game 4. That's the same rotation that shut down the Yankees in the ALCS, compiling an 0.66 ERA. 

Consequently, the Giants had to use Cain, their No. 1 starter, in Game 7. Their best starting pitcher in the postseason, Ryan Vogelsong, pitched in Game 6. San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy obviously didn't have the luxury of setting his rotation up for the World Series because he had to address the immediate concern of trying to win the NLCS. 

So who do the Giants start in Game 1 of the World Series?

The likely choice appears to be Barry Zito, who pitched 7.2 shutout innings in Game 5 of the NLCS and would be pitching on his normal four days' rest. Another possibility would be Tim Lincecum, who last pitched in Game 4 of the NLCS and would have five days' rest.

A long shot choice would be Madison Bumgarner. The southpaw was arguably the Giants' second-best starter during the regular season but has been awful in his two playoff starts, accumulating an 11.25 ERA. He hasn't pitched since Game 1 of the NLCS and may not be used in the World Series.

The dilemma Bochy faces, as Matthew Pouliot pointed out at HardballTalk, is whether to pitch Vogelsong on short rest to make sure their best postseason starter to date appears in one of the first two games and potentially gets two starts during the series.

If Vogelsong started Game 3, he would have five days' rest and be available for Game 7. But there's obviously no guarantee the series would go that long.

Where would Matt Cain start? He's probably penciled in for Game 3 on full rest. But the Giants can't save Vogelsong until Game 4. 

Bochy and his staff will spend Tuesday's off-day agonizing over the possible rotation scenarios. Leyland already has his rotation figured out and will probably enjoy a Marlboro while not worrying how his pitching staff will lay out as the Tigers travel to San Francisco.

So who really has the advantage going into the World Series? Extra rest and the added preparation that comes with the longer layoff appears to favor the Tigers. Yet staying on a roll is the sort of thing a team loves to experience during the season, and the Giants could benefit from that.

It's a good thing the World Series begins on Wednesday. That only gives us a couple of days to deliberate over this stuff.

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