This is going to be an outstanding playoff series, as only two games separated these teams during the 2011 season. Here is a look at the matchups in this series:

CATCHER: 24-year old lefty swinging Alex Avila is a player on the rise. He played in 141 games for the Tigers this year and he was 137 for 464 (.295 avg, .895 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 19 homers, 82 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Avila has never played in the playoffs, but I have a feeling that he’s going to do well in this series, especially when aiming for the short porch in RF at Yankees’ Stadium.

28-year old Russell Martin really turned in a solid year for the Yankees in 2011. Martin played in 125 games for the Yankees this year and he was 99 for 417 (.237 avg, .732 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 18 homers, 65 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Martin has played in 19 games in the post-season in his major league career and he is 15 for 67 (.224 avg, .678 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 1 homer, 9 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR THE TIGERS

FIRST BASE: 28-year old righty swinging Miguel Cabrera is by far the best hitter in this series for either team. He played in 161 games for the Tigers this year and he was 197 for 572 (.344 avg, 1.033 OPS) with 111 runs scored, 30 homers, 105 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Teams tried to pitch around Cabrera all season long, but he still won the American League batting title in 2011. Cabrera has played in 17 games so far in his career in the post-season and he is 18 for 68 (.265 avg, .786 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 4 homers and 12 RBIs. He was part of the 2003 Marlins (his rookie season) when they beat the Yankees in the World Series.

31-year old switch-hitting Mark Teixeira is also a pretty darn good offensive player. He played in 156 games for the Yankees this year and he was 146 for 589 (.248 avg, .835 OPS) with 90 runs scored, 39 homers, 111 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. But, he has been a poor player in the post-season so far in his major league career. Teixeira has played in 26 games in the post-season and he is 22 for 103 (.214 avg, .650 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 3 homers and 12 RBIs.

EDGE: TIGERS

SECOND BASE: I think the Tigers will use Ramon Santiago and Ryan Raburn at 2B in this series. Santiago played in 101 games for the Tigers this year and he was 67 for 258 (.260 avg, .695 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 5 homers and 30 RBIs. He has played in 6 games in the post-season in his major league career and he is 1 for 12 (.083 avg, .237 OPS). Santiago is the better defensive player, while Ryan Raburn is the much better hitter. Raburn played in 121 games for the Tigers this year and he was 99 for 387 (.256 avg, .729 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 14 homers, 49 RBIs and 1 stolen base. This will be Raburn’s first shot at playing in the post-season.

28-year old lefty swinging Robinson Cano is one of the purest hitters in all of baseball. He played in 159 games for the Yankees this year and he was 188 for 623 (.302 avg, .882 OPS) with 104 runs scored, 28 homers, 118 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Cano hasn’t been near as good in the post-season though. Cano has played in 37 games in the post-season in his career and he is 35 for 141 (.248 avg, .757 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 6 homers and 20 RBIs.

EDGE: HUGE FOR THE YANKEES

SHORTSTOP: Jhonny Peralta had one of the best seasons (if not the best) of his career in 2011 for the Tigers. Peralta played in 146 games for the Tigers this year and he was 157 for 525 (.299 avg, .824 OPS) with 68 runs scored, 21 homers and 86 RBIs. He has played in 11 games in the post-season in his major league career so far and he is 14 for 42 (.333 avg, .991 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers, 10 RBIs and 1 stolen base.

37-year old righty swinging Derek Jeter turned in another decent year for the Yankees in 2011. Jeter played in 131 games for the Yankees this year and he was 162 for 546 (.297 avg, .743 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 6 homers, 61 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He has played in 147 games in the post-season in his career with the Yankees and he is 185 for 599 (.309 avg, .850 OPS) with 101 runs scored, 20 homers, 57 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.

EDGE: EVEN

THIRD BASE: 34-year old righty swinging Brandon Inge might platoon with 29-year old switch-hitting Wilson Betemit at 3B in this series. Inge played in 102 games for the Tigers this year and he was 53 for 269 (.197 avg, .548 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 3 homers, 23 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has played in 13 games in the post-season so far in his career and he is 12 for 44 (.273 avg, .736 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. Wilson Betemit played in 40 games for the Tigers this year after coming over in a deal with the Royals, and he was 35 for 120 (.292 avg, .871 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 5 homers, 19 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has also played in six post-season games in his career so far and he is 5 for 10 (.500 avg, 1.483 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 homer and 1 RBI.

36-year old righty swinging Alex Rodriguez has been banged up all year. He played in 99 games for the Yankees this year and he was 103 for 373 (.276 avg, .823 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 16 homers, 62 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. A-Rod has now played in 63 games in the post-season in his career and he is 67 for 231 (.290 avg, .925 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 13 homers, 38 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.

EDGE: YANKEES

LEFT FIELD: 26-year old righty swinging Delmon Young came over to the Tigers in a deal with the Twins. Young played in 40 games for the Twins this year and he was 46 for 168 (.274 avg, .756 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 8 homers and 32 RBIs. He has played in six games in his post-season career and he is 5 for 24 (.208 avg, .630 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 1 stolen base.

28-year old Brett Gardner really gives the Yankees a jolt due to his speed. He played in 159 games for the Yankees this year and he was 132 for 510 (.259 avg, .713 OPS) with 87 runs scored, 7 homers, 36 RBIs and 49 stolen bases. Gardner has played in 23 games in the post-season so far in his career and he is 7 for 40 (.175 avg, .402 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 0 homers, 2 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.

EDGE: EVEN

CENTER FIELD: In CF, this series will pit two players (Austin Jackson and Curtis Granderson) that were traded for each other two years ago. 24-year old righty swinging Austin Jackson played in 153 games for the Tigers this year and he was 147 for 591 (.249 avg, .690 OPS) with 90 runs scored, 10 homers, 45 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. Jackson has not played in the playoffs until now.

30-year old lefty swinging Curtis Granderson has to be one of the favorites for the A.L. MVP Award. Granderson played in 156 games for the Yankees so far this year and he is 153 for 583 (.262 avg, .916 OPS) with 136 runs scored, 41 homers, 119 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. He has also played in 22 games in his post-season career and he is 22 for 81 (.272 avg, .906 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 4 homers, 13 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.

EDGE: YANKEES

RIGHT FIELD: 37-year old righty swinging Magglio Ordonez had probably the worst season of his career in 2011. He played in 92 games for the Tigers this year and he was 84 for 329 (.255 avg, .634 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 5 homers, 32 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Ordonez has played in 16 games in his post-season career and he is 12 for 62 (.194 avg, .652 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 3 homers, 9 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He is still a dangerous hitter though.

30-year old switch-hitting Nick Swisher will need to help out a little more in the playoffs this time around. Swisher played in 150 games for the Tigers this year and he was 137 for 526 (.260 avg, .822 OPS) with 81 runs scored, 23 homers, 85 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has played in 33 games in the post-season in his career and he is 17 for 105 (.162 avg, .616 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 3 homers and 5 RBIs.

EDGE: YANKEES

DH: 32-year old switch-hitting Victor Martinez provides the protection for Miguel Cabrera in the batting order. Martinez played in 145 games for the Tigers this year and he was 178 for 540 (.330 avg, .850 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 12 homers, 103 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has played in 14 games in the post-season so far in his career, and he is 16 for 55 (.291 avg, .797 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers and 9 RBIs. Martinez is also the backup catcher and 1B if the need arises for him to play in the field.

40-year old switch-hitting Jorge Posada is going to get a chance to start at DH against righty pitchers. Posada played in 115 games for the Yankees this year and he was 81 for 344 (.235 avg, .714 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 14 homers and 44 RBIs. He has played in 120 games for the Yankees in the post-season and he is 97 for 402 (.241 avg, .729 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 11 homers, 42 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. 34-year old righty swinging Andruw Jones will likely be Posada’s platoon mate at DH. Jones played in 77 games for the Yankees this year and he was 47 for 190 (.247 avg, .851 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 13 homers and 33 RBIs. He has played in 75 games in the post-season in his career so far and he is 65 for 238 (.273 avg, .797 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 10 homers, 33 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.

EDGE: TIGERS

BENCH: Ryan Raburn, Ramon Santiago, Wilson Betemit and Brandon Inge will be available off the bench when they aren’t starting, which will give Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland a lot of options. 31-year old IF/OF Don Kelly can play almost anywhere in the field. He played in 112 games for the Tigers this year and he was 63 for 257 (.245 avg, .672 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 7 homers, 28 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. 25-year old lefty swinging Andy Dirks played in 78 games for the Tigers as a rookie this year and he was 55 for 219 (.251 avg, .703 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 7 homers, 28 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Kelly & Dirks will be getting their first playoff experience this year.

Andruw Jones and Jorge Posada will be available off the bench when they aren’t starting in this series. 24-year old right swinging infielder Eduardo Nunez can handle 2B, SS and 3B defensively. He played in 112 games for the Yankees this year and he was 82 for 309 (.265 avg, .698 OPS) with 38 runs scored, 5 homers, 30 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. 33-year old lefty swinging Eric Chavez played in 58 games for the Yankees this year and he was 42 for 160 (.263 avg, .676 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 2 homers and 26 RBIs. Chavez has played in 27 games in the post-season in his career so far and he is 24 for 108 (.222 avg, .640 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 3 homers, 12 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Rookie 21-year old righty swinging C/DH will also be available off the bench. He played in 18 games for the Yankees this year and he was 20 for 61 (.328 avg, .996 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 4 homers and 12 RBIs.

EDGE: YANKEES

STARTING PITCHING: 28-year old righty Justin Verlander is going to easily win the Cy Young Award in the American League this year. He pitched in 34 games (all starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. Those are amazing numbers and the Tigers hope that Verlander’s success carries over into the post-season. Verlander has pitched in 4 games (all starts) so far in the post-season and he is 1-2 with a 5.82 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. 27-year old righty Doug Fister is going to be the #2 starter in this series for the Tigers. He has pitched in 11 games (10 starts) for the Tigers since coming over in a deal with the Mariners, and he was 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP for them. 27-year old righty Max Scherzer will be #3 in the Tigers’ rotation in this series. He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 15-9 with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Scherzer has outstanding stuff, so the Tigers hope he takes his game to a higher level in the playoffs. 22-year old righty Rick Porcello will be #4 in line for the Tigers. He pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 14-9 with a 4.75 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. The Tigers might lack in playoff experience, but they exude in talent in the starting rotation.

31-year old lefty C.C. Sabathia is the best the Yankees have to offer. He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 19-8 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Sabathia hasn’t been at his best in the post-season in his career and the Yankees hope that is about to change. He has pitched in 13 games (all starts) in the post-season and he is 7-4 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. 24-year old righty rookie Ivan Nova is going to be the Yankees’ #2 starter in this series. He pitched in 28 games (27 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 16-4 with a 3.70 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. 34-year old righty Freddy Garcia is #3 in line for the Yankees in this series. He has pitched in 26 games (25 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He has had a lot of success in the post-season so far in his career. He has pitched in 9 games (all starts) in the post-season and he is 6-2 with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. 38-year old righty Bartolo Colon or 34-year old righty A.J. Burnett will be #4 in line. I have a feeling that the Yankees will lean towards Colon. Colon pitched in 29 games (26 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 8-10 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has pitched in 9 games (all starts) in the post-season so far in his career and he is 2-3 with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. A.J. Burnett had another rough year for the Yankees in 2011. He pitched in 33 games (32 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He has pitched in 6 games (all starts) in the post-season so far in his career and he is 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.

EDGE: TIGERS

BULLPEN: 33-year old righty Jose Valverde is a true lockdown closer as he didn’t blow ANY saves this year! He pitched in 75 games (0 starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 2-4 with 49 saves, a 2.24 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He has pitched in 4 games (0 starts) in his post-season career and he is 0-1 with 1 save, a 1.93 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. The Tigers are confident that “Papa Grande” will close out the Yankees in every opportunity that he will get in this series. 34-year old righty Joaquin Benoit had a rough start to the season, but he was awesome in the second half. He pitched in 66 games (0 starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 4-3 with 2 saves, a 2.95 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He has pitched in 3 games (0 starts) in his career in the post-season and he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.00 WHIP. 25-year old righty reliever Al Alburquerque has been flat out dominating for the Tigers this year. He pitched in 41 games (0 starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 6-1 with a 1.87 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He is just plain nasty. 29-year old Phil Coke will likely be the top lefty out of the pen for the Tigers in this series. The ex-Yankee pitched in 48 games (14 starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 3-9 with 1 save, a 4.47 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He has pitched in 6 games (0 starts) in the post-season so far in his career and he is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP. 25-year old Daniel Schlereth will be the second lefty in the pen for the Tigers in this series. He pitched in 49 games (0 starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 2-2 with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. 24-year old righty Ryan Perry has a big time arm still. He pitched in 36 games (0 starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 2-0 with a 5.35 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. 28-year old righty David Pauley didn’t do as well as Doug Fister when they came over in the same deal with the Mariners. Pauley pitched in 14 games (0 starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 0-2 with a 5.95 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. 33-year old righty Brad Penny will likely be the long reliever in this series if the Tigers need one. He pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 11-11 with a 5.30 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Penny has pitched in 8 games (4 starts) in the post-season in his career so far and he is 3-2 with a 6.26 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP.

41-year old righty closer Mariano Rivera is the best closer in major league history, period! Rivera pitched in 64 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 1-2 with 44 saves, a 1.91 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. He has pitched in 94 games (0 starts) in his career in the post-season and he is 8-1 with 42 saves, a 0.71 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP. 31-year old righty Rafael Soriano will likely be the set-up man for the Yankees in this series. He pitched in 42 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 2-3 with 2 saves, a 4.12 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has also pitched in 3 games (0 starts) so far in the post-season in his career and he is 0-0 with 1 save, a 9.00 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. 26-year old righty David Robertson is going to be the 7th inning man for the Yankees in this series. Robertson pitched in 70 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 4-0 with 1 save, a 1.08 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He has pitched in 11 games (0 starts) so far in the post-season in his career and he is 2-0 with a 6.23 ERA and a 1.96 WHIP. 25-year old righty Phil Hughes is being moved to the pen for this series. He pitched in 17 games (14 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 5-5 with a 5.79 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Hughes has pitched in 14 games (3 starts) so far in his post-season career and he is 2-3 with a 5.86 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. 27-year old lefty Boone Logan will be the only lefty in the pen for this series, so Joe Girardi might be only using him for one tough batter per game. Logan pitched in 64 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 5-3 with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He has pitched in 5 games (0 starts) in the post-season in his career and he is 0-0 with a 10.80 ERA and a 2.40 WHIP. 28-year old righty Cory Wade had a great year for the Yankees. He pitched in 40 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 6-1 with a 2.04 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. He has pitched in 7 games (0 starts) in the post-season in his career so far and he is 0-1 with a 3.68 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP. 33-year old righty Luis Ayala pitched in 52 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 2-2 with a 2.09 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Ayala will be making his first appearance in the playoffs.

EDGE: EVEN

MANAGER: 67-year old Jim Leyland is old school to a fault. He led his Tigers to a 95-67 record (58.6%) and a A.L. Central Division title. He now has a record of 519-454 (53.3%) during the regular season in his first six years with the Tigers. Leyland is also 8-5 (61.5%) in the post-season in his time with the Tigers.

47-year old Joe Girardi doesn’t really have to manage much due to the All-Star team that the Steinbrenner’s have given him. He led the Yankees to a 97-65 (59.9%) record during the regular season and another A.L. East Division title. He is now 384-264 (59.3%) during the regular season in his first four years on the job. He is also 16-8 (66.7) in the post-season with the Yankees, including a World Series Championship in 2009.

PREDICTION: TIGERS IN FOUR GAMES

30-year old lefty starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia’s 2011 regular season is over for the Yankees. He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 19-8 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Sabathia has now pitched in 101 games (all starts) in his first three years with the Yankees and he is 59-23 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. The Yankees will need Sabathia to really step up because the Yankees have some question marks at the back end of the rotation.

Joba Chamberlain and Rafael Soriano went down early in the season due to injuries, which had the Yankees really worried about their bullpen. But then, 33-year old righty Luis Ayala and 28-year old righty Cory Wade stepped up and they have been outstanding all year long. Ayala has pitched in 49 games (0 starts) for the Yankees so far this year and he is 2-2 with a 1.69 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Cory Wade was signed away from the division rival Tampa Bay Rays as he was pitching in AAA for them. The Yankees then called him up and the rest has been history. Wade has pitched in 36 games (0 starts) for the Yankees so far this year and he is 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Give GM Brian Cashman the credit for picking up Ayala and Wade.

41-year old righty reliever Mariano Rivera came into yesterday’s game in Yankee Stadium with the Yankees’ ahead 6-4 in the 9th inning. Rivera was tied with Trevor Hoffman in saves with 601, until he worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning with a whiff! Rivera is now the all-time saves leader in major league history! Rivera has pitched in 61 games (0 starts) for the Yankees so far this year and he is 1-2 with 43 saves, a 1.98 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. Rivera is showing no signs of slowing down as he has only given up 46 hits and 7 walks in his first 59 innings this year while whiffing 57 batters! Rivera has now pitched in 17 seasons with the Yankees, appearing in 1,039 games (10 starts) in which he is 75-57 with 602 saves, a 2.22 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He hasn’t just been outstanding during the regular season either. Rivera has pitched in 94 games (0 starts) in 15 post-seasons for the Yankees and he is 8-1 with 42 saves, a 0.71 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP. Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer of all-time without a doubt!

36-year old righty swinging 3B Alex Rodriguez has been banged up this whole year for the Yankees. He has played well when healthy, but that hasn’t been much this year. A-Rod has played in 90 games for the Yankees so far this year and he is 97 for 341 (.284 avg, .842 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 15 homers, 56 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. 2011 will be the first season since 1997 that Rodriguez didn’t have at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs! Rodriguez has now played in 1,118 games in his first 8 years with the Yankees and he is 1,234 of 4,178 (.295 avg, .943 OPS) with 811 runs scored, 283 homers, 897 RBIs and 128 stolen bases. The Yankees are going to need a healthy A-Rod if they are going to make a serious run at winning the World Series in 2011.