The Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants were evaluated on five criteria in order to pick the winner of this year’s World Series. The categories were weighted on their significance, with starting pitching and hitting taking on more importance than a category such as bullpen. The teams play game one tonight at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Justin Verlander will start game one for the Tigers, with Barry Zito taking the mound for the Giants.

Starting Pitching: Advantage Detroit

Justin Verlander is unstoppable and Detroit can count on two wins from him. Madison Bumgarner will start game two, but has been shaky this postseason. The Detroit staff behind Verlander is underrated and has performed well in the playoffs.

Bullpen: Advantage Giants

Sergio Romo has a 1.17 ERA in the playoffs, and has done an admirable job filling in for the injured Brian Wilson. The rest of the pen is experienced and have been lock down in the postseason. Detroit is without a reliable closer.

Hitting: Advantage Detroit.

Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. Need we say more?

Defense: Advantage Giants

With Angel Pagan and Brandon Crawford leading the charge, the Giants defense has made just six errors all postseason.

Intangibles (home field advantage, fan base, etc.): Advantage Giants

Home field advantage courtesy of Matt Cain and the banished Melky Cabrera give the Giants a shot to start out strong in their park, and if need be, return for games six and seven. And boy, is this team tough. On the verge of elimination in both the NLCS and NLDS, the Giants don’t know how to lose.

The Pick: Detroit Tigers over San Francisco Giants

Barry Zito, hero of game five of the NLCS, will face Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander in game one. With struggling Giant Madison Bumgarner throwing in game two, the Giants could easily be in a 2-0 hole before heading to Detroit for three games. Vogelsong and Cain will give the Giants hope, but the comeback kids will find that this is one comeback they cannot pull off. Detroit in six.