Tigers vs Yankees Game 5 MLB Playoffs 2011 Odds: It’s almost hard to believe that in a series between two clubs with as much depth as the Tigers [+149 ML] and Yankees [-159 ML], there will be two youngsters making just their second career postseason starts, going head-to-head in a decisive Game 5 of the 2011 American League Divisional Series.
Joe Girardi and Jim Leyland will be hanging on every pitch from their respective righties tonight, as 24-year-old, Ivan Nova (2011 ALDS: 1-0, 2.84 ERA) battles 27-year-old Doug Fister (2011 ALDS: 0-1, 11.57 ERA). According to Game 5 MLB Playoffs 2011 Odds makers, the projected OVER/UNDER is set at a combined total of 9 runs scored.
The winner of tonight’s game will advance to the 2011 ALCS to take on the Texas Rangers. The Yankees would like nothing more than to avenge last season’s loss to the Rangers during the 2010 League Championship Series. In order to even have a shot, New York is going to need the best start of Nova’s young career.
Luckily, the young Dominican righty not only understands, but appears to embrace the task at hand. Nevertheless, you can bet that Nova will have a very short leash tonight, as it has already been announced that every single pitcher on the pinstripes’ roster will be available out of the bullpen.
“Tomorrow, I got the most important game in my life,” Nova said. “I don’t see the reason to feel pressure. It’s another game. Of course, it’s the most important game of the season now.”
Nova and Fister both made their MLB Playoffs debut against one another in Game 1 of this series at Yankee Stadium. Filling in for CC Sabathia due to a rain delayed the night before, Nova was as strong as he had been all year for the Bronx Bombers. In his 6.1 innings of work, Nova 4 hits, 2 earned runs, walked 4, stroke out 5 and held the Tigers’ batters at .190 average against him. Nova’s efforts earned him is first postseason victory.
Fister’s relief of Justin Verlander didn’t go as well as he would have liked, as New York want fooled by anything he threw. In his 4.2 innings pitched, the Fresno State product gave up 7 hits and 6 earned runs in a losing effort. Much like the Yankees’ skipper, Leyland will also be ready to use anybody and everybody in order to come away with a win tonight.
“We got a big game with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. It’s a great scenario. It’s great for baseball,” Leyland said. “I wish I could tell you what’s going to happen, but I don’t know.”
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