Wednesday, October 24, 2012

World Series Analysis (For the First Two Games)

Without going into the specifics of various game performance statistics, this is our fundamental analysis of the World Series

The Advantages for the San Francisco Giants (SFG) 
  • Momentum-based Offense (Hit and Run, Run and Hit, surprising base stealing, etc.) .
  • Bullpen Pitching 
  • Superior Defense.
  • Game Tactics.
The Advantages for the Detroit Tigers
  • Home runs prowess
  • Superior Starting Pitchers
An Abridged Listing of Situational Factors 
  • The SFG's home field was designed for pitching and defense. Their outfielders have the experience of the "triple" alley in the central field and playing with the wind, especially in the right field,
  • To prevail in a wind-based grass terrain, well-timed hitting and speed prevails.  A momentum of singles and extra-base hits causes the big, slow and fat players to move.
  • If there is no rain or strong wind, the Tigers home run power could become a grand factor.
  • If the Detroit Tigers cannot play sound and solid defense within this terrain, one could only expect the SF Giants to gain the offensive advantage with their momentum-driven offense (small ball). 
  • Having this unique home turf advantage for the first two games could be a prevailing factor for the SF Giants.   
  • If the weather is not a factor, the Tigers do score first and fast and their starters play the minimum of seven innings,  the odds of winning increases.
  • Whether the weather is relevant, the score of the game is close and the SF Giants is able to influence the pitchers to throw as many pitches as possible.  The Tigers will be forced to use their weak bullpen by the fifth and sixth innings.  The Giants could triumph.
  • In a National League park, the SF Giants pitchers are used to hitting the ball.
  • Due to the depth of their bullpen, the extra-innings game situation factor goes to the San Francisco Giants.
  • The team who gets the two to three runs lead, could be the victor. 
  • Click here for one's view on how to attack the Tigers starting pitcher for game 1.
Next to The Final Thoughts
Baseball is a semi-predictable game where the time span is not a factor and near-transparency is in the statistics. Analyzing the data in terms of situational performance metrics is the key.  

In sports, offense thrills.  But defense wins championships. 

With an abundance of data, the smart strategist capitalizes on the tactical tendencies of each opposing player, with a quiet sense of focused urgency.  He Influences them to be tactically uncomfortable through the various means. This is the tactical approach to implementing one's strategic power onto one's competition.

... Strategies do not win games. Choosing the right tactics and properly executing them, are some of the keys to winning. 


... While the amateurs are usually focused on the big play offense, the professionals emphasized on the importance of sound and solid defense while creating offensive momentum through the execution of well-timed hits. 

It begins by assessing the Big Tangible Picture.  ... You do know how to assess strategically. Do you?  .. Those who are psychic, should be able to see three to five days ahead.  We do not think anyone of us are psychic. 

Strategic Assessment
Knowing the myriad of possible situations do matter.  It offers the successful strategist the vantage of thinking  ahead. Through the subtle execution of situational mismatches, one gains the advantage of subjugating the means and the modes of a competitor.  

The Dao of Strategic Efficiency.
Through our understanding of the Seven Strategic Classics and other exclusive essays, we  practiced the process of securing the tangible truth. By comparing the advantageous and the disadvantageous points of the conflicting sides, we usually pinpoint a "profiting" situation that takes the least amount of risk and/or the minimum effort.  This is the projected outcome from the implementation of strategic efficiency.

Final Score  (updated at 8:48 pm. Re-updated at 11:54 pm.)
Game 1: SF Giants 8  Detroit Tigers 3
Click here for the box score. Click here for a NYT's view of the game.
After the 3rd inning, the Tigers starting pitcher has already thrown 70+ pitches. After four innings, he threw a total of 98 pitches and surrendered five runs. The bullpen gave up another three runs. 

An irrelevant stat: The team that wins the 1st game, wins the World Series 62% of the time.

Side note: Sport is just an extension of life where the fantasy of each and every fan's differs.