To borrow a hype-device from Bill Simmons: "The Yankees! The Tigers! CC Sabathia! Justin Verlander! It's the MLB Playoffs on TBS!" ... Hey, wait — that sounds pretty awesome. Game time starts at 8:37 p.m. ET and it would be wise to plunk down in from of a TV set in your living room or friendly neighborhood watering hole for this one.
We've already been given the narrative for Game 1: Two good old-fashioned horses — Sabathia and Verlander — square off on the mound. It's cliche, sure, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a better duel in the first-round. Verlander is coming off a regular season that has him garnering serious MVP consideration, which would make him the first pitcher to win the award since Dennis Eckersley did it in 1992. Meanwhile, Sabathia is the anchor atop the Yankees' rotation, and he has never lost an ALDS start (4-0 lifetime with 23 Ks in 23.2 innings pitched).
Of course, each pitcher made a pair of starts against tonight's opponent this season without earning a win (and with ERAs of 4.00+) so who knows what we'll see. Below are the nuts and bolts for tonight.
Pitchers
Yankees: C.C. Sabathia (19-8, 3.00 ERA)
Tigers: Justin Verlander (24-5, 2.40 ERA)
Game time: Friday, 8:37 p.m. ET
TV: TBS (National)
Radio
New York: WCBS 880, ESPN Radio
Detroit: WXYT 97.1 FM / 1270 AM, ESPN Radio
For more on the Yankees, visit Pinstripe Alley. For more on the Tigers, head to Bless You Boys.