Game 1 Matchup Features Zito Vs. Verlander
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS Sports) -- Game 1 of the 2012 World Series features one former Cy Young award winner making $20 million against another former Cy Young award winner making $19 million. A pretty even match-up, right?
Oh, right, maybe not. It's going to be Detroit's Justin Verlander against San Francisco's Barry Zito.
Still, looking at their most recent starts, it doesn't seem like there's a big difference. Verlander allowed just three hits and a run over 8 1/3 inning in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Yankees. Zito threw 7 2/3 scoreless with six hits and six strikeouts in his victory over the Cardinals in Game 5 of the NLCS. Verlander only struck out three in his win.
Of course, there are some differences. Verlander was 17-8 with a 2.64 ERA during the season, and his 239 strikeouts led the majors. He also throws 100 mph. Zito was 15-8, his first winning season in six seasons in San Francisco, with a 4.16 ERA. According to BrooksBaseball.net, Zito's fastball and sinker both averaged 84 mph.
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