Berkman hates the 'Mickey Mouse' AL, but he's picking Tigers over Giants

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants fans don't like it when you pick against their team.

I know. I picked against them in the World Series two years ago, and I think I'm still getting email reminding me how misguided I was.

But this isn't about my World Series pick. This is about Lance Berkman's pick.

Giants fans won't like it.

"If I'm handicapping this thing as a neutral observer, I've got the Tigers winning it, probably in five or six," Berkman said, after his Cardinals lost to the Giants in Monday night's Game 7 of the NLCS.

Berkman believes the Giants will be hurt because they had to use Ryan Vogelsong and Matt Cain on Sunday and Monday to win the final two games of the NLCS, and won't be able to use them in Games 1 and 2 Wednesday and Thursday against the Tigers.

"I don't see them overcoming not being able to have their rotation set up," Berkman said. "I just think the Tigers have it set up perfectly. They'll miss what in my opinion are their two best pitchers in the first two games, here in this park. Then when they pitch [in Detroit], they'll be facing an American League lineup with a designated hitter.

"[Justin] Verlander and [Doug] Fister will benefit from pitching here. I'm an NL guy. I hope the National League team wins, but my head tells me it's going to be tough for them."

Berkman has spent all but three months of his career in the NL. He played three months for the Yankees in 2010.

"It only cemented my opinion that the AL is Mickey Mouse and the National League is real baseball," he said. "I hate the DH, even though it might prolong my career."

He's an NL guy, but he's picking the Tigers.

Sorry, Giants fans.