ALCS: Tigers vs. Yankees

Tonight’s Game 1: Detroit (Fister 0-0, 2.57 ERA, 8 SO) at New York (Pettitte 0-1, 3.86 ERA, 5 SO), 5. ( TV: TBS)

Rotation: This is rematch from last year’s ALDS, and both rotations did good work in the first round. The Tigers look deeper with Justin Verlander, Doug Fister and Max Scherzer. The Yankees will ride Andy Pettitte, C.C. Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, and perhaps Freddy Garcia or David Phelps. Edge: Tigers.

Bullpen: Jose Valverde and Joaquin Benoit both blew saves against the A’s. David Robertson is bouncing back from an inconsistent season at the right time for the Yankees. He and Rafael Soriano should be fine. Edge: Yankees.

Hitting: The Yankees were the highest-scoring team in the majors in the regular season but had to improvise against the Orioles. The Tigers scored 3.4 runs per game with only two homers in the ALDS. Edge: Yankees.

Fielding: The Tigers allowed a majors-worst 74 unearned runs during the regular season. Edge: Yankees.

Gut read: If the Tigers get at least a split in the first two at Yankee Stadium, they can make it a short series in their favor. Will they? Flip a coin. Pick: Yankees in 6.

By Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune