So far, the script for the 2011 ALDS between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees has been very similar to what happened in 2006 when the two teams met. If you go by wins and losses, the script has been exactly the same. The Yankees opened up the series with a win at home, but the Tigers rebounded to even things up before leaving New York. Once the series shifted to Detroit, the Tigers won Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead. In 2006, the Tigers finished off the Yankees at Comerica Park in Game 4, and they can do it again with a win on Tuesday night.
Starting at pitcher in this game for the Tigers is Rick Porcello. Going into the MLB playoffs, many were hoping the Tigers would start Justin Verlander in Games 1 and 4. The weather issues surrounding Game 1 would have made that impossible since Verlander ended up pitching in Game 3, but it was a moot point anyway. The weather didn't alter the Tigers' plans for Game 4, as Porcello was the scheduled starter all along.
The same can't be said for the Yankees' Game 4 plans. They were originally hoping to start CC Sabathia in Games 1 and 4. Sabathia, like Verlander, started in Game 3 since his start in Game 1 was cut short. This prevented Sabathia from being able to start twice in the ALDS, and now it means A.J. Burnett will start in Game 4 for New York. Understandably, Yankees fans are a bit uneasy over their season riding on Burnett. Considering this could have been Sabathia going again for the Yankees, the weather delay in Game 1 turned out to be a big break for the Tigers.
Here's a look at Detroit's lineup for Game 4:
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Ramon Santiago, 2B
3. Delmon Young, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Don Kelly, RF
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Wilson Betemit, 3B
Pitching: Rick Porcello
And here's the Yankees lineup, which once again remains unchanged:
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Curtis Granderson, CF
3. Robinson Cano, 2B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Mark Teixeira, 1B
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Jorge Posada, DH
8. Russell Martin, C
9. Brett Gardner, LF
Pitching: A.J. Burnett
For more on the Detroit Tigers, check out Bless You Boys. For more on the Tigers-Yankees series, check out SB Nation Detroit's ALDS StoryStream.