2011 MLB Playoffs: Detroit Tigers Will Smoke New York Yankees in Epic Rematch

The 2011 MLB playoffs may feature some of the best baseball that we have seen in a long time. Look no further than the AL Division Series between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees to showcase it right off the bat.

Do you remember the last time these two teams matched up in the playoffs? It seemed like a completely different world back then.

The Tigers roster featured players like current Yankee Curtis Granderson, now-retired Kenny Rodgers, current Philly Placido Polanco.

The Yankees were still managed by Joe Torre and featured players like Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui.

The Yankees were highly favored in that 2006 series, but somehow Detroit pulled off a 3-1 series victory that sparked their improbable run to the World Series.

If it seemed like a completely different world, it's because it was.

Two completely different teams with two completely different mindsets meet in 2011.

The Tigers come in is as arguably the hottest team in baseball. They feature 24-game winner and MVP candidate Justin Verlander, AL batting leader and perennial All-Star Miguel Cabrera, and young developing superstar catcher Alex Avila.

If those were the only three components of the Tigers, than the Yankees would have no worries going into this series, but that only scratches the surface.

Detroit signed veteran catcher Victor Martinez in the offseason to handle DH duties, made a midseason trade for Seattle pitcher Doug Fister (who has gone 8-1 as a Tiger) and boast the best closer in baseball in Jose Valverde, who has racked up an incredible 49 saves in 49 opportunities.

The Yankees should be very worried. This is not the Tigers team they faced in 2006. In fact, they are completely different.

The Tigers are the hottest team in baseball right now, and if the Yankees aren't careful they will get burnt.

2011 ALDS: Starts September 30

Game 1: TB @ Tex 5:07 p.m EST

Game 1: Det @ NYY 8:37 p.m EST

2011 NLDS: Starts October 1

Game 1: STL @ PHI Time TBD

Game 1: ARI @ MIL Time TBD