MLB Tigers vs. Yankees: Can CC Sabathia Best Red-Hot Justin Verlander?

The New York Yankees start their quest for their 28th World Series Championship. To get there they have to go through the best pitcher in baseball today, Justin Verlander. 

This year, the Detroit Tigers have been built with a hard-hitting offense through their MVP candidate, Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera has led the Tigers in every offensive category from Batting Average, to Runs Batted In and On Base Percentage.  

But, what has gotten the Tigers to this point of facing the Yankees in the first round is their pitching.  

The team as a whole had an OK year from their starting pitching. However, it was the perfection that Justin Verlander flirted with every time he took the mound that propelled the Tigers to run away with the American League Central Title.  

The New York Yankees have a payroll of over $200 million dollars. Yet, they are built in the same fashion as these Detroit Tigers. They have the bats that can score upwards of five-or-more runs in any game.  

Their ace is C.C. Sabathia, who is as dominate as the Tigers' Verlander.  

Game 1 on Friday Night in the Bronx will feature these two superstar pitchers. The question is, will C.C. be able to out-pitch Verlander?  

During the season C.C. went 1-1 against the Tigers. He bested Verlander on Opening Day, pitching six innings and giving up two earned runs on six hits while striking out seven that day.  

That performance was good enough to outdo Verlander, as the Yankees won 6-3. 

His second game against these Tigers came in a matchup against the Tigers' Brad Penny. The end result was not as good as his game against Verlander: In seven innings C.C. gave up four runs on 10 hits while striking out six.  

C.C. is coming into these 2011 Playoffs with a 2-2 record in September. His last pitching performance came eight days ago. During that last trip to the mound he threw seven-and-one-third innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and striking out six.  

He’s well rested for Friday’s Game 1 against Justin Verlander. From looking at his prior performances against the Tigers and his last game on September 21st, Yankee fans can expect seven innings of work with two runs scored on seven hits with six strike outs.  

It will be up to the Yankees offense to figure out Verlander for C.C. to truly best his adversary. 

Twitter: @tjmcaloon