Ryan Vogelsong will start Game 3 of the best-of-seven World series against the Tigers on Saturday at Comerica Park. The Giants are focused to win the game and take a commanding 3-0 lead. On the other hand, the Tigers must be happy to be back in the chilly conditions and the Giants may need some time to get acclimatized to the new weather.
Anibal Sanchez of the Detroit Tigers will face Ryan Vogelsong in the crucial game against the Giants. The Giants are already leading 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. They can very well avoid travelling back home to the AT&T Park for the last three games if they beat the Tigers in the next 2 games.
"A lot of faith," Vogelsong said. "A lot of hard work. You also have to have some things go your way to get opportunities. I feel like every day I come in here with a little chip on my shoulder that I need to work harder than the next guy, and try and get myself better on a daily basis. Definitely game day, there's a chip there. I feel like I still have a lot to prove in this game."
The Giants pitcher has had an earlier stint with them between 2000 and 2001. He also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates between 2001 and 2006, for the NPBL's Hanshin Tigers (2007-2008) and for Orix Buffaloes in 2009.
Vogelsong witnessed a bad phase in his career when having to undergo ligament replacement surgery; he seemed to be struggling in big league games, didn't do well in Japan as well and struggled all along with the Phillies and Angels' minor league affiliates. It seemed his career was nearly over at 33.
But Vogelsong would not quit easily. He shot to fame once again when he joined the Giants in April 2011 to replace the injured Barry Zito. He performed impressively thereafter. Bruce Bochy , the 2011 National League All-Star manager named him to the 2011 NL All-Star Team in July 2011. He also had a streak of 16 consecutive starts in 2012, allowing only 3 runs or less in at least 6 innings in each game.
After his comeback he witnesses his first major league victory when he held the hosts Pittsburgh Pirates to two earned runs on 4 hits and struck out eight en route to beating them 5-2, his first major victory since 2005.
"I just believe that God had a plan for me this whole time," Vogelsong said. "I feel like all the stuff that I went through -- going to Japan and going to winter ball at 33 years old, and getting back here last year, is stuff that He was doing for me to get me prepared for this moment."
Meanwhile manager Bochy seems pretty impressed with Vogelsong's efforts, saying: "He's throwing the ball as well as anybody on the staff."
With a 2-0 lead, Vogelsong has an excellent opportunity to give the Giants a firmer grip on the series.
"It's great to be here with everything I've been through, but I've got to pitch my next game," he added. "The two starts before really mean nothing right now. It's about pitching the game on Saturday."
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