Two Justin Verlander fastballs.Even an Al Albuquerque slider.

The Kung Fu Panda, the roly-poly, lovable third baseman stole the spotlight in Game 1. This was supposed to be Verlander’s time, Miguel Cabrera’s time.

Instead, it was Panda time.

His first three World Series at-bats resulted in home runs. The first two were on 96 mile-per-hour heaters coming from the right hand of Verlander.

In his first at bat, he fell down in the count 0-2. A letter-high fastball was slung from Verlander, and the Panda’s bamboo stick squared it up, launching it deep into the night sky at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

The stadium erupted.

Panda-monium.

1-0, Giants.

However, the fun had just begun.

His second at-bat saw Verlander fall behind 2-0. Forced to throw a fastball down in the count, Sandoval was ready to feast. The Panda’s swing was slightly late, but still drew solid contact.

That’s usually all it takes when the opposing pitcher tops out at triple digits.

The ball looked like a routine fly to left, but it carried, and carried, and carried.

Into the seats.

4-0, Giants. Two Panda homers, three RBI’s.

A visibly stunned Verlander mouthed one word.

“Wow.”

Not Verlander, not myself, really, probably nobody outside of San Francisco saw this coming.

When Verlander was relieved in the fifth inning, the Panda’s meal was still not finished. Albuquerque sent a 1-1 slider down and in, and Sandoval crushed it 435 feet to straightaway center.

6-0, Giants.

Game, set, match.

The last home run put Sandoval in rare company. He joined Albert Pujols, Reggie Jackson, and Babe Ruth (twice) as the only players to hit three home runs in a World Series game.

Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera was supposed to be the best third baseman, and hitter, in this series.

In Game 1, the Panda had something to say about that.

While we are all stunned by Verlander’s performance, remember his struggles in the 2006 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. A rookie or not, losses in Game 1 and Game 5 sealed the Tigers’ fate.

The 2012 World Series is scarily off to the same start.

The post Kung Fu Panda-monium Crushes Tigers in Game 1 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Sorry, San Francisco, I ignore miracles. Six consecutive elimination-game victories is impressive, but the grind of those games will take its toll.

The Tigers haven’t needed a miracle this entire postseason. Yes, they did go to the fifth game of the American League Division Series with the Oakland A’s, but it was the A’s who needed a miracle – the task of beating Justin Verlander. The most dominant pitcher in the game did what he was supposed to do. He threw a complete game shutout, striking out 11 A’s in the process.

After eliminating the postseason darlings in the A’s, the ALCS featured Tigers-Yankees. A Derek Jeter broken ankle or not, the Tigers completely obliterated the New York Yankees from the very beginning, needing only one Verlander start during the sweep. The Tigers outscored the once-potent Yankees lineup 19-6 (four of those six runs came in the 9th inning collapse from Valverde in Game 1), in addition to a combined 1.38 ERA out of its pitching staff.

If those numbers aren’t convincing enough, I’ll reiterate – Verlander started one game in that series. After coming up short in the 2006 against the Cardinals and losing in the 2011 ALCS to the Texas Rangers, this is his time to shine.

Verlander’s numbers for the postseason are quite ridiculous, but Verlander-esque to say the least.

3 starts, all victories. 24 1/3 IP, a 25:5 K/BB ratio, 10 hits allowed and 2 earned runs, both coming on solo home runs.

The man is on a mission.

San Fran, you’ve been warned.

Verlander takes the mound tomorrow night in Game 1 and will also start in Game 5 if necessary. If the series gets to Game 7, which it won’t, Verlander will be available from the bullpen. How’s 100 mile-per-hour heat sound in the ninth inning to close it out? I’ve never experienced a fastball like Verlander’s, but if I were a Giant, that’d be the last thing I’d want to face with the game, and World Series, on the line.

If Verlander is pitching in potentially three games, where do the Giants have a chance, you ask? Can their pitching limit the Tigers lineup? Does the Buster Posey/Pablo Sandoval combo strike fear into the Tigers staff?

The simple answer to those questions consists of two letters.

No.

The Tigers staff didn’t just shut down Cano/Teixeira/A-Rod/Granderson/Swisher in the Yankees lineup, they embarrassed them.

I’m once again sorry Giants fans, but a lineup featuring Marco Scutaro as the hottest hitter doesn’t exactly send off the alarm signals in the Tigers dugout. Sandoval has been great, but Posey has had a quiet postseason. Expect that to continue against Verlander and Co.

While the Giants consider themselves having a solid pitching staff, the Tigers will be able to put runs on the scoreboard. A lineup featuring Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and postseason phenomenon Delmon Young will have no problem scoring runs against Giants’ lefties Madison Bumgarner and Barry Zito. Sandwich the home-run mashing Prince Fielder between those two righties and the Tigers’ lineup is virtually unstoppable.

There isn’t reason to believe the Giants won’t pull of another improbable comeback (see 2-0 deficit in NLDS vs. Cincinnati, see 3-1 deficit in NLCS vs. the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals), but those teams didn’t have a Justin Verlander. Cincinnati threw Mat Latos in it’s Game 5 and St. Louis threw Kyle Lohse. While these two may be considered the aces of their respective staffs, Verlander is on a whole ‘nother level.

Although I see the Tigers winning in five games, I do see the Giants winning Game 2. However, Detroit will close it out at Comerica Park, with none other than Justin Verlander.

It’ll be the man on a mission who finally gets his ring.

The best player in the NBA, LeBron James, got his.

Now the best player in MLB gets his.

It’s Verlander’s time.

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