For the first time in 5 years, and the 13th time in franchise history, the Detroit Tigers will be in the playoffs. In fact, the last time Detroit played in the ALDS, it was against the Yankees. The Tigers will enter the division series in search for their 5th WS title, while the Yanks will be going for their 28th.
Game dates:
Friday, Sept. 30 in New York: Justin Verlander (five days rest) vs. C.C. Sabathia (nine days rest)
Saturday, Oct. 1 in New York: Doug Fister (four days rest) vs. Ivan Nova (seven days rest)
Monday, Oct. 3 in Detroit: Max Scherzer (five days rest) vs. Freddy Garcia (eight days rest)
Tuesday, Oct. 4 in Detroit: Rick Porcello (five days rest) vs. C.C. Sabathia (three days rest)
Thursday, Oct. 6 in New York: Justin Verlander (five days rest) vs. Ivan Nova (four days rest)
Game 1:
Both the Tigers and Yankees will run out their ace’s in game 1. The clear cut CY Young winner, J. Verlander (0-0, -.–) will face one of the best lefties in baseball, in C. Sabathia (0-0, -.–). This could possibly be the best match-up in the first round.
Verlander’s regular season numbers were far from normal, they were unimaginable. JV lead in just about every catagory there is, ERA, wins, K’s, whip, and innings. You name it, he has got it. Career in the playoff’s, Verlander only has 4 starts (1-2, 5.82), but that was as an inexperienced rookie. This time, Justin is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. JV in his career against the Yankees is 4-3 with an era just a tad south of 4. Both Jeter and Posada hit Verlander great, posting .300 averages against him.
Another Dominant force, CC Sabathia, will toe the rubber in game 1. CC’s regular season numbers were more then acceptable (18-9, 3.00). But if the powerful lefty wants to win on Friday night, he will need to pitch incredible, no joke. CC will be pitching on 9 days rest. He has made 41 starts on six or more days rest, and in that situation, his ERA is 4.04. His career numbers vs. Detroit aren’t that flattering, as he has gone 15-12 with an era of 4.54. Detroit hitters have pounded him throughout his career, especially slugger, Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera sports a .563 average including 2 dingers, and 11 runs driven in.
Game 2:
The workhorse, D. Fister (0-0, -.–) will square off against rookie, I. Nova (0-0, -.–). Fister has been nearly untouchable since arriving in Detroit in late July, while Nova has made a name for himself in the big leagues. First pitch, like Game 1, will be at 8:37 ET in Yankee Stadium.
8-1, with an 1.79 era — Doug Fister’s numbers with Detroit. Talk about lights out, Fister has even outpitched his teammate, Justin Verlander since Aug. 3rd. Career vs. NY, Fister is only 1-2 with an era of 6.00, but can easily shutdown them on any given night. Granderson (.333, 1 HR) and Posada (.667), both have had success against Fister this year.
The sensational rookie, Ian Nova, came out of nowhere this season. He has forced his way into a struggling Yankee rotation. Nova lead all rookies in wins and whip, on his way to a 16 win campaign. He has only appeared in one game vs. the Tigers, a game in which he pitched 2 shutout innings.
Game 3:
New York’s, F. Garcia (0-0, -.–) and Detroit’s, M. Scherzer (0-0, -.–) will duel it out Monday night. First pitch is currently slated for 8:37 ET, in Detroit.
Freddie Garcia has been a “Tiger killer” in his long, adventurous career. In 32 starts vs. MoTown, Garcia has recorded 18 wins and has produced an 3.88 era in the process. But in his 1 start against the Tigers this year, Freddie fell to Detroit. In that game Garcia went 7 innings, while conceding 4 runs. First basemen, Miguel Cabrera has hit the veteran the best, stroking a .391 average against Freddie.
The ever-so inconsistent, Max Scherzer will be making his first career playoff start. In 33 regular season starts, Max picked up a career high 15 wins, and had an era north of 4. Scherzer has only 3 career starts vs. NY, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been great. Mad Max is 3-0 with an era of 2.84!!! On May 4th, Scherzer tossed 8 shutout innings against the Yanks.
(Potential) Game 4:
In a potential game 4 matchup C. Sabathia (0-0, -.–) will be taking on R. Porcello (0-0, -.–). First pitch has not been announced yet.
Rick Porcello will (potentially) be making his first career playoff start. Porcello joins Fister and Scherzer as other Tiger starters who will be making their first playoff starts. In the regular season, Rick collected 14 wins and finished with an era of 4.75. The 22 year old, has made 4 starts vs. NY in his young career, splitting them both.
CC Sabathia, barring a sweep, will be pitching on 3 days rest. Joe Giaradi has already stated this.
(Potential) Game 5:
J. Verlander (0-0, -.–) and NYY: I. Nova (0-0, -.–), will be making their 2nd start in the series, if it goes that far. First pitch has not been announced.
DET player to watch out for throughout the series:
Who other then Miguel Cabrera? The guy is a flat out monster, and I’m not talking about one of those monsters who hide under your bed. I’m talking about the monsters who suck blood, kill and destroy everything in their path. Cabrera had that kind of September. The big fella hit at a .429 clip over the course of September, along with 6 homers, 21 RBI, and 12 doubles. You would think teams would just pitch around him, but that’s not the case this season, with Victor Martinez hitting .330 in the #5 spot. In addition to Cabrera’s just plain dominance in September, he has owned Yankee pitching, tagging them for a .374 average, along with 10 round-trippers.
NYY player to watch out for throughout the series:
Former fan favorite, Curtis Granderson has literally hit his way into the A.L MVP race. Curtis has been amazing all year, hitting 41 longballs, and collecting 119 RBI. Also, for all those Tiger fans who still thinks he still struggles vs. Lefties, think again. In 2009 Grandy hit .170 off of them, this year he is hitting 100 points higher at .272. In his 11 games vs. the Tigers Granderson has hit 3 dingers, all of which have been crucial. Watch out for this cat Tiger fans.
Prediction:
I don’t care if the Tigers are in a weak division and I don’t care about all the fans who think Verlander is the only player we have. The Yankee’s, and the rest of the nation, will finally find out that the Tigers are legit. I’m going with the Tigers in 3 games. Yes, we’re that good.
