Tigers vs Yankees Game 5: Robinson Cano and 3 Players Who Will Put Yanks in ALCS

Because A.J. Burnett was due to take the mound in Game 4, I figured there was no way we'd still be talking about the New York Yankees at this point.

Yet here we are, talking about the Yankees like we seemingly always are. Instead of heading home, they're looking to win Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night, and they have Burnett to thank for that. He pitched five and two-thirds innings and allowed just one earned run to lead the Yanks to a 10-1 win in Game 4. One more win, and they'll be in the American League Championship Series.

Because the Yankees are at home in Game 5, you have to like their chances of getting said W. And if you ask me, you'll have to like their chances even more if the three players listed below show up and do big things.

3. Alex Rodriguez

In the years after he came over in a trade from the Texas Rangers before the 2004 season, it was pretty much impossible to overlook A-Rod's presence in the Yankees' lineup.

This year, it was all too easy. A-Rod was out of the lineup for a good portion of the year, and he didn't have much of an impact when he was in it.

This trend continued into the first three games of the ALDS, in which A-Rod went 0-for-10. Coincidentally, the Yankees lost two of those games.

Finally, A-Rod came alive in Game 4, collecting a pair of hits in the Yankees' romp. Might he haved turned a corner?

I suppose we'll find out in Game 5. The Yankees will be facing a tough pitcher in Doug Fister, and you have to think runs are going to be at a premium. If A-Rod can help the cause, the Yankees are going to be in good shape.

2. Robinson Cano

Whereas A-Rod has been the Bombers' best player in recent seasons, I for one think that torch has been passed to Robinson Cano. He plays a great second base, and he has one of the sweetest strokes in the game.

Cano hasn't shown this stroke off all that much in the last three games, but it was definitely working for him in Game 1. He had three hits, all of them for extra bases. The biggest of the bunch was his grand slam in the sixth innings that broke things wide open.

Courtesy of the Yankees' official Twitter feed, we know that Cano is going to be in the No. 3 hole tonight. That's where Joe Girardi has had him all series, and it's worked out pretty well so far.

My guess is that it will work out again, especially if A-Rod provides some thump from the cleanup spot.

1. Ivan Nova

This one might be a little too obvious.

I have to admit, even I have uttered the dreaded O word (see "overrated") in conjunction with Nova, but he showed in Game 1 that he is legit.

Well, Game 1 and in virtually every start he's made since the All-Star break. There have been a lot of overrated pitchers who have come up through the Yankees' system throughout the years, but Nova doesn't appear to be one of them.

Because they're basically trusting Nova to put the Yankees in the ALCS, the Yankees had better hope he's not overrated. Otherwise, their season will come to a swift end.