Player's view: A.J. Ellis is impressed by the Giants in Game 1 Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis will be offering his analysis of the San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers in conversations with Times contributor Steve Dilbeck throughout the World Series. The first World Series I remember was as a 6-year-old watching the Cardinals take on the Twins in 1987. I don't think I've missed one since. I'm now 31 and still got chills Wednesday watching the lineups introduced and the national anthem performed. Baseball is the greatest. Player (s) of the game: As I said in my World Series preview, the only other pitcher in my mind who compares to Clayton Kershaw is Barry Zito, and he showed why tonight. I'm a big believer in revisionist history. Zito stayed on the attack and used his devastating curveball to keep the Tigers off balance. In a game where mph and tape-measure homers are still pushed and promoted by everyone (including Major League Baseball), it's refreshing to see a finesse pitcher like Zito shut down a powerful lineup. Oh yeah, Pablo Sandoval had some good at-bats too. Zito also lined an RBI single to left off Justin Verlander. I've never seen someone guide, punch, slap, massage, dribble and chop balls to the left side of the infield every single at-bat like he does. Is it bat control or lack of bat speed? Turning point: With two out in the bottom of the third, Angel Pagan had an at-bat that changed the game. Fouling off a handful of nasty Verlander breaking balls and rising fastballs, Pagan slapped a ball that caromed off the third base bag and ended up in shallow left field. The hustling Pagan ended up at second, setting up Marco "Babe" Scutaro's RBI single and the Panda's second home run to extend the Giants' lead to 4-0. The inning also seriously taxed Verlander, who was off his game and on his way to an underwhelming - - and unpredictable - four-inning, 98-pitch performance. Extra bases: Nice to see a two-time Cy Young winner and superstar Tim Lincecum embrace his relief role for his team. Really shows how the Giants are on the same page and after a singular goal. Sandoval is one of the rare hitters I have no real scouting report on. He swings at everything and covers pitches from his neck to the dirt three feet in front of the plate. Verlander tried to elevate an 0-2 fastball in the first inning and the chest-high heater was not even close to high enough. In a ballpark where it's tough to hit homers, Sandoval was just amazing. Game 2 preview: It's almost easier to forget a blowout loss than losing a hard-fought, tight game due to late heroics or a walk-off. I expect the veteran Tigers to shake this off and play a more competitive, less rusty Game 2. Madison Bumgarner hasn't pitched since Game 1 of the NLCS and the long season seems to have taken a toll. Doug Fister hopes to use his quality sinker to even the series for the Tigers. I'll also be watching to see if the Tigers' right-handed hitters can adjust to the cross-fire delivery and cut fastball in on their hands.