[Renojaguar]

Let the MLB Play-offs begin.

GAME 1

The Yankees open their home series to the Red Hot Detroit Tigers. The Yankees have been coasting since wrapping up the AL East. The last time these teams met in the playoffs, the 2006 division series, which Detroit won 3-1 on its way to an AL pennant. It was the Tigers who came in cold after losing their last five. This year, The Yankees finished by being swept in Tampa Bay and losing their last four. Now they look to get back on track with CC Sabathia on the the hill for the Yankees. CC through out the last few starts for the Yankees was unable to get his 20 win of the season. Infact, New York dropped 2 of his last 3 starts posting an ERA of 3.32. The Left-Hander has allowed 3 runs or less in 6 of his last 7 starts. The Yankees, of course, have Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano and Teixeira slugging away at the heart of their order. A-Rod will hit behind Cano in the postseason, swapping their usual order from the regular season. And then there's former Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson, who had a career year with 41 homers. But the Yankees bullpen could be a problem for them as they have pitched just over 15 innings with an explosive 5.74 ERA.
The Tigers also have some pop in their lineup. While not as daunting top to bottom in the order as New York, Detroit features AL batting champion Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta. And catcher Alex Avila has been a revelation, with 19 homers and a .295 average. They will send Cy Young Canidate Justin Verlander to counter the Yankees Ace CC Sabathia. Verlander has been amazing this year posting a 24-5 record for the season with an ERA of just 2.40. The Tigers have won 9 of his last 10 starts with the 9 game winning streak coming to a halt in just his last start. He has allowed 3 runs or less in 7 of his last 10 starts supported by 2 shut-out games in 2 of his last 3 starts. The Right-Hander has been on of the very best on the road, posting a 14-2 record with an ERA of just 2.43 overall the Tigers have won 14 of Veralnder's 18 road starts, However it has been a struggle for the Cy Young canidate going against the Yankees dropping 4 of his last 5 starts and all 3 previous 3 starts at Yankees Staduim dispite allowing 3 runs or less in all 5 of those games including a shut out against the Bronx Bombers. Verlander is up against his biggest challenge in the play-offs. Look for him to dominate this Yankees line-up. How do you give up plus money on Verlander.

1* DETROIT TIGERS +117

[Jmdurbz]

Im taking Yankees BOL