The New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers play the deciding game in their American League divisional series on Thursday. Doug Fister and Ivan Nova make their first postseason starts working as spot starters in the rain-delayed Game 1.
It's do-or-die time for Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees, but the pressure is on the Yankees as they return home for the decisive Game 5 on Thursday. On Tuesday, the Yankees staved off elimination in the divisional series with a 10-1 victory at Comerica Park.
In Game 5, Doug Fister and Ivan Nova will make their first postseason starts after pitching in relief of starters Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia in Game 1. The Yankees knocked around Fister during the fifth and sixth innings when the game resumed on Saturday. Robinson Cano used his big bat for the game, coming up with an RBI double and a grand slam. Fister was charged for the three men on base, but Al Alburquerque was on the mound for Cano's round-tripper.
The Tigers, though, were unable to touch Nova until the ninth inning. Nova did run into some trouble in the fifth inning when he allowed a walk and back-to-back singles, but a tag out of Alex Avila at home plate stopped the Tigers from taking a 2-1 lead. In the ninth, Nova loaded the bases on two singles and a walk, forcing manager Joe Girardi to put Luis Ayala on the mound. Ayala allowed two runs on a fielder's choice and a single before Mariano Rivera came in to record the last out.
Game Date/Time: Thursday, Oct. 6, 8:00 p.m. ET
Stadium: Yankee Stadium
TV: TBS
Projected Starters
Detroit Tigers: Doug Fister (0-1, 11.57 ERA)
New York Yankees: Ivan Nova (1-0, 2.84 ERA)
For more on the Yankees, visit Pinstripe Alley. For more on the Tigers, head to Bless You Boys.



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