At season's end, Tigers prepare to face Yankess in ALDS

It's like two old friends meeting once again when the AL Central champion Detroit Tigers take on the AL East champion New York Yankees in the American League Divisional Series (best of five series).

In the regular season, Detroit won the series 4 games to 3. It seems like a long time ago when the Tigers last came to the Bronx on opening day when the bullpen struggled, losing two out of three. Then in May, the Yankees won the first game of a four-game series at Comerica Park, with Detroit winning the last three by a combine score of 14-5.

Game 1 starter Justin Verlander is coming off an incredible season (24-5), leading the American League in ERA (2.40) and strikeouts (250), practically one strikeout per inning pitched, making him a strong candidate to win the America League CY Young Award. C.C Sabathia will be the starting pitcher for the Yankees in Game 1. Doug Fister is set to pitch Game 2 this Saturday night. Both games will be at Yankee Stadium.

Big factor in this series is the emergence of Tigers closer Jose Valverde, who leads the American League with 49 saves in 49 chances against a future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera with 603 career saves.


TIGERS EXPRESS THEIR THOUGHTS ON FACING THE YANKEES IN THE ALDS

Center fielder Austin Jackson

1st baseman Miguel Cabrera

Pitcher Jose Valverde

Pitcher Doug Fister

Catcher Alex Avila

Shortstop Jhonny Peralta

Catcher Victor Martinez

Pitcher Max Scherzer



Jose Valverde's personal manager Anthony Ortiz - PART 1 & PART 2