ALCS Burning Questions

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Even though they only get three home games during this series, it seems like the sporting community of Detroit is poised for some great times ahead. With the NFL Lions off to a 4-0 start, the University of Michigan perfect their first games, and the Red Wings being the perennial powerhouse in the NHL, these are heady times for a city has been kicked around economically for the past half decade.

* Watch Game 1 live on Sportsnet Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET

While their five game series win over the Yankees gives them confidence, they meet a Texas team well rested and one that has been at home in the warmth preparing for three full days. That may prove to be a big advantage at this time of the year.

2. Did the Tigers strike lucky with Justin Verlander available for Game 1?

Boy, it sure seems like it. The Tigers' ace and eventual Cy Young Award winner was only available for Game 3 of the ALDS after rain forced a suspension of the opener in the bottom of the second. Verlander was effective on short rest, pitching eight strong innings with 11 strikeouts on 120 pitches.

While manager Jim Leyland could have asked Verlander to be available in the series decider against New York, he stuck with who was reasonably able to pitch and left his ace out of the mix. That may prove to a shrewd move. His legend just added another chapter. Now he could possibly be available to make three starts, unless weather comes into play in the northern climate of Michigan.

During his career Verlander is 6-2, 2.31 ERA in nine career starts vs. the Rangers. In Arlington, where he'll pitch twice if the series goes the maximum, he's a perfect 3-0 with a stingy 1.29 ERA. That should make Tigers' fans feel ultra confident.

3. Which of the series stars will shine brightest?

For the Tigers, the easy bet is on slugging first baseman Miguel Cabrera who is a career .371 hitter with 8 HR, 45 RBI, and 1.023 OPS in 42 games against Texas. None of the Rangers pitchers have kept him in check and he's 5-for-9 against Alexi Ogando, 7-for-10 off Scott Feldman and has a home run off Rangers' closer Neftali Feliz.

His protection in the line-up, Victor Martinez, is a career .331 at Rangers Ballpark, and Tigers closer Jose Valverde pitched in four games against the Rangers this season, winning two and saving the others.

Across the diamond, slugging third baseman Adrian Beltre, who blasted three home runs in the ALDS clincher against the Rays, has 10 career bombs against Detroit but has more strikeouts (38) than RBI (36). 2010 A.L. MVP Josh Hamilton was kept in check in the opening round and has played in just 11 wins in 30 career games against the Tigers. Also, the Rangers' 13-game winner Ogando has a career 1.54 ERA against the Tigers in six games (three starts).

4. What affect will Delmon Young's injury have on the series outcome?

It was announced ahead of Game 1 that Young would not play in the ALCS, and had been replaced by infielder Danny Worth on the roster. Young, who underachieved in his previous stops in Tampa Bay and Minnesota, had turned into a key middle-of-the-order producer with the Tigers and, along with Cabrera and Martinez, a three-pronged power attack.

Including the post-season, Young hit .278 with 11 HR and 35 RBI in 45 games as a Tiger. Now that he'll replaced by a combination Don Kelly or Magglio Ordonez, the line-up loses some of it's teeth.

5. How do the bench bosses match up?

There will be no new-age moves coming from either dugout in this series. These are a couple of 'old school' types, preferring to strategize from the gut, eschewing 'the book'. Detroit's Jim Leyland will shift the line-up around his big hitters in the middle, and isn't afraid to force late inning relievers to go a little longer than normal. His calmness with the game on the line rubs off on his team.

Texas' Ron Washington has worked marvels with his veteran team and shifts his offensive plan from game to game, inning to inning. Both managers have post-season experience and aren't likely to get caught up in the action and the pressures therein. Having lost last year's World Series to the Giants gives the Rangers a sense of urgency as they try and erase that failure from their collective memories.

PREDICTION: RANGERS IN SIX.

Not having Delmon Young will hurt the Tigers, giving the Rangers a solid offensive edge.

Stats man Scott Carson is now in his 19th season as "third man in the booth" during Blue Jays telecasts.