2011 ALDS Series Odds and Predictions: Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees – Tigers to Win in 5 Games

2011 ALDS Series Odds and Predictions – Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees Expert Picks and Vegas Series Price: The last time the Detroit Tigers appeared in the World Series was 2006. That season, they dispatched the New York Yankees in the American League division series in four games on their way to an AL pennant. If the Tigers are going to win the American League this year, they will once again have to get back the Yankees. New York has World Series aspirations of its own, especially after compiling the best record in the AL during the regular season. With potential MVP candidates on both sides, the winner of this series could easily go on to win the World Series.

It’s impossible to break down this series without talking about the two pitchers squaring off in Game 1. Detroit will send Justin Verlander to the mound to face New York’s CC Sabathia. Verlander is a virtual lock to win the AL Cy Young after winning the Triple Crown for pitchers, leading the AL with 24 wins, a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts. Sabathia was an ace in his own right, ranking second in wins with 19 and second in strikeouts with 230. Verlander was nearly unbeatable in the second half of the year, and while a slight edge goes to him, Sabathia is more than capable of winning two of the five potential games in the series. 

Offensively, both teams have plenty of power in the lineup, but the Yankees are loaded. Outfielder Curtis Granderson led the AL with 119 RBIs and was second with 41 home runs. Second baseman Robinson Cano was second in RBIs with 118, and first baseman Mark Teixeira was third with 39 homers. Throw in shortstop Derek Jeter, third baseman Alex Rodriguez, and sparkplug Brett Gardner, and it is easy to understand why the Yankees ranked second in runs scored and led the majors with 222 homers. Even when Verlander takes the hill, New York has the type of lineup that can turn any game into a blowout.

The Tigers will counter with a potent middle of the lineup that features first baseman Miguel Cabrera and catcher Victor Martinez. Cabrera led all of baseball with a .344 average, and Martinez hit well above .300 as well. Detroit didn’t put up the home run totals that New York did, but the Tigers did finish third in the majors in team batting average and fourth in runs scored. In other words, the offenses are different, but both are dangerous.

Both teams have excellent bullpens as well. The Yankees of course have future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera, and David Robertson and Rafael Soriano are both strong setup options. Detroit’s closer Jose Valverde has been a stud in his own right, going an incredible 49 for 49 in save opportunities this season. Whichever team has the lead going into the ninth has a good chance of coming away victorious.

The X-factor in the series could be starting pitchers outside of both aces. Detroit’s midseason addition of Doug Fister could prove to be a steal. He won seven of his past eight starts, posting an ERA below 1.00. Meanwhile, the Yankees have the unproven Ivan Nova and the experienced but declining Freddy Garcia backing up Sabathia. In the end, Verlander and Fister give Detroit the two best starters in the series.

While the Yankees have more star power on offense, the Tigers lineup can produce plenty of runs as well. More importantly, the Tigers have Verlander leading an underrated rotation and Valverde doing the same for the bullpen. Still, New York has far too much postseason experience to get swept and go down without a fight, and whichever team is facing elimination first will likely extend the series by running out their ace. With the potential to use Verlander and Fister a total of four times, Detroit should be able to win the three games necessary to advance.

Prediction: Detroit Tigers Win in 5 Games

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2011 MLB BASEBALL PLAYOFF SERIES PRICES
Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees
Detroit Tigers +135
New York Yankees -155