MLB: New York Yankees Really Don't Care If They Beat the Tigers or Rangers First

The New York Yankees will face either the Detroit Tigers or the Texas Rangers in the first playoff round, depending on whether they win the Eastern Division title or finish as the Wild Card.

Regardless of whether the Tigers or Rangers have the better record, one of them will face the Yankees in the first round.

Many fans and media-types think that the Yankees would be better off facing Texas in the best-of-five first round because they would avoid facing Detroit’s ace, Justin Verlander.

Some have gone so far as to suggest that perhaps Joe Girardi, an individual of great integrity, wouldn’t mind if the Yankees finished as the Wild Card because they would play Texas, not Detroit.

What a detestable accusation to make. It is also patently wrong.

When was the last time those who accuse looked at the standings? On the morning of August 28th, Texas is 75-59, while Detroit is 73-59. The Wild Card might face the Tigers if they finish with a better record than the Rangers.

What if the Los Angeles Angels—with Jared Weaver, who is in the same class as Verlander—beat out the Rangers?

It doesn’t matter which team the Yankees face in the first playoff round. What matters is that they must go into the playoffs with their shaky starting pitching set and rested.

If the Yankees face the Tigers, they only have to beat Verlander once. Admittedly, that will be difficult. But if the Yankees are the Wild Card, the first game will be at Comerica Park, which Baseball Reference ranks as slightly favoring pitchers.

It might seem odd, but that might help the Yankees.

C.C. Sabathia can hold his own with Verlander. Pitching in Detroit might lessen any differences that favor Verlander.

By the same token, the left-handed Sabathia gains an advantage against left-handed hitters at his home ballpark.

The Tigers average about one-half a run less a game (4.53) than the Rangers (5.05). The Yankees pitching staff might be more effective against the Tigers than against the Rangers.

If the Yankees win the first game against the Tigers, they should win the series. They will face Doug Fister, Max Scherzer and Brad Penny before Verlander can return, if a fifth game is necessary. 

If they lose the first game, they could avoid facing Verlander a second time by winning the second game and then taking the next two at home.

That's quite possible, but even if they lose one of those games, they still might be beat Verlander in the fifth game.

The Rangers have C.J. Wilson (13-6, 133 ERA+),  Colby Lewis (11-9, 107 ERA+), Derek Holland 12-5, 102 ERA+), Matt Harrison (10-9, 122 ERA+) and Alex Ogando (12-6, 123 ERA+) as their starting five.

It was announced yesterday that Holland’s work will be limited the rest of the season.

After Sabathia, the key to the Yankees chances is Ivan Nova. The unheralded youngster is 13-4 with a 109 ERA+, but he has been inconsistent at times and his 1.38 WHIP does not inspire confidence.

Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon might continue to surprise, especially Garcia.

Further analysis would be nice, but isn’t necessary. No one can predict how the Yankees will fare in the playoffs. As the cliche goes, that's why they play the games (actually, they also play them to make money).

The Yankees have a solid offense, a generally fine bullpen, an adequate—and at times outstanding—defense and the desire to win.

It is foolish to hope to avoid Justin Verlander in the first playoff round because he could pitch twice.

Where are all those “experts” who haven’t mentioned that if he faces the Yankees in the second round instead of the first, he might be able to start three games?

Shade of Lew Burdette, Jack Sanford and Bob Gibson.