On Friday, the National League finished up its division series with two taut, one-run games. It was a similar situation in New York on Thursday, when the Tigers qualified for the American League Championship Series.

The Texas Rangers, having dispatched the Tampa Bay Rays in four games, have been biding their time since Tuesday waiting for their opponent to be decided. It wasn't until Thursday night that they knew they'd be playing their first ALCS game at home; had the Yankees won, they'd have had to get on a plane and play at Yankee Stadium.

Because the Tigers chose to not use Justin Verlander in relief on Thursday, he will start Game 1; the Rangers' C.J. Wilson, who was the star of an underrated pitching staff, will be his opponent.

The two clubs met nine times during the regular season, with Detroit winning six of the nine. The Tigers won two of three in all three series. The Rangers gave Verlander one of his five losses in 2011 when Alexi Ogando and two relievers shut out the Tigers in Detroit on April 11; Verlander threw a complete game that day.

Wilson faced the Tigers once, also in Detroit on April 12; he gave up four runs in 6.2 innings, but was not involved in the decision.

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