2012 MLB ALCS Picks and Odds: Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees Predictions – Free ALCS Picks

2012 MLB Playoffs Picks: Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees Odds and Predictions – Free MLB ALCS Picks: It took a full five games for both the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees, but both clubs survived the divisional round of the playoffs to advance to the American League Championship Series. The two franchises will now battle in the postseason for the third time since 2006, but this time, an American League pennant and a trip to the World Series is on the line. This is familiar territory for the Yankees, who will be playing in the ALCS for the third time in the last four seasons. Ironically, New York’s lone gap during the stretch came last year when the Tigers bounced them in the ALDS. Of course, the stakes are higher this year, and the best-of-seven series kicks off Saturday in New York.

There is no shortage of star power for either team with Detroit boasting the likes of Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Justin Verlander and New York bringing names like Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia. Offensively, both teams are very dangerous yet severely limited at the same time. The Tigers ranked in the top 10 in most offensive categories during the regular season, but they struggle to score runs when Fielder and Cabrera aren’t dialed in. Meanwhile, the Yankees led the majors in home runs by a wide margin, but they can’t manufacture runs if they aren’t hitting balls over the fence. The weaknesses of both offenses was  on full display in the divisional round, and it is the main reason it took both teams five games to advance.

Another consequence of the five-game series played by both sides comes on the mound. Detroit was forced to use its ace Verlander in the deciding game against Oakland, while New York was forced to use Sabathia to put away Baltimore. Fittingly, both pitchers delivered complete game victories to propel their teams to the next round, but as a result, neither will be available to Game 3 at the earliest. This will likely limit both pitchers to just two starts in the series, and it will test the depth of both the rotations and the bullpens of both teams.

The Tigers Win If:

During the regular season, Cabrera won the Triple Crown, becoming the first play to do so since 1967. In the first round against the Athletics, he hit .250 with zero home runs and only a single RBI. Fielder was nearly as bad, hitting just .190 with one homer and two RBIs. If the Tigers are going to get past the Yankees, they are going to need at least of their stars to have a big series. On the mound, Detroit just needs its top three starters to stay locked in. Verlander, Doug Fister and Max Scherzer have all had ERAs below 3.00 in the final two months of the season. All three are able to pile up strikeouts, as well, and against a New York lineup that likes to swing for the fences, there are strikeouts to be had. A strong series from the Tigers’ starters and a little help from its top sluggers should send Detroit back to the World Series for the first time since 2006.

The Yankees Win If:

The series against the Orioles was an offensive disaster that ended with Alex Rodriguez being benched and just about every star struggling. This team’s success on offense depends solely on home runs, and a couple of the Yankees’ sluggers need to get hot in the ALCS. New York hit 82 more home runs than Detroit did during the regular season, and the Yankees need to exploit their advantage to win. Of course, another strong series from their starters would help the cause. Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda were both brilliant in the ALDS, and veteran Andy Pettitte was solid, as well. If New York’s starters can match or outperform Detroit’s starters, the Yankees should win this series.

Bottom Line:

While the offensive superstars will get top billing, this series will come down to pitching, and the edge in that category goes to the Tigers. As good as Sabathia was in the ALDS, Verlander was even better and is the best pitcher in baseball for that matter. Meanwhile, Scherzer and Fister have both been on a roll, and they have the power stuff to make the slumping New York bats swing and miss. The Yankees are the type of team that likes to sit back and wait for a three-run homer. The game changing home runs never came against a mediocre Baltimore staff, and they are even less likely to come against Verlander and company. The Detroit starting rotation will push them past the Yankees in the postseason for the third time in the last seven years.

Prediction: Detroit Tigers Win in 6 Games

ALCS Series Odds
Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees
Detroit Tigers +110
New York Yankees -130

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