Tigers vs. Yankees 2012 ALCS: Aces carry Detroit and New York into ALCS

The Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees clinched their ALDS series with victories on Thursday and Friday, respectively, to set up up their ALCS showdown starting on Saturday.

Yankees ace CC Sabathia pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts while holding the Baltimore Orioles to just one run and four hits to help clinch Game 5, 3-1, to advance to the ALCS. Sabathia was 3-0 with a 3.32 ERA versus the Tigers in three starts during the regular season.

Similarly, the Tigers needed ace Justin Verlander in Game 5 of the ALDS versus the Oakland Athletics and he came through with 11 strikeouts in a complete game effort. Verlander was 1-1 with a 3.10 ERA in three starts versus the Yankees this season and his scheduled to pitch Games 3 and 7 (if necessary) in the ALCS.

Both Sabathia and Verlander went 2-0 in the ALDS.

The Tigers were 4-6 against the Yankees during the 2012 regular season. The Tigers eliminated the Yankees in the ALDS in both 2006 and 2011.