MLB Playoffs 2011: Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees Bold Game 1 Predictions

The Major League Baseball playoffs kick off tonight as both American League Divisional Series get underway.

In the nightcap, the New York Yankees will host the Detroit Tigers. The contest will feature a premier pitching matchup, as Yankees lefty C.C. Sabathia will battle Tigers fireballer Justin Verlander.

This particular series will be a rematch of the 2006 ALDS, which the Tigers won en route to a World Series appearance. Both teams are extremely different five years later, however. While any team playing the Yankees is usually dubbed the underdog, many observers pick the Tigers to win the series.

Game 1 will certainly be pivotal and of the utmost importance for both teams. Here are three bold predictions for Game 1 of the ALDS.

Alex Rodriguez Will Hit a Home Run

After missing 63 games this season due to various injuries, nobody is sure what to expect of Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod was generally good when he played, although his power numbers were way down, as he finished with just 16 home runs. 

Rodriguez was once considered a choke artist when it came to the playoffs, but he shed that label in 2009 when he was an unstoppable force en route to a World Series championship. A-Rod has been unreliable in terms of being in the lineup this season, yet the Yankees still boasted the league's best offense.

Contrary to what has traditionally been said about Rodriguez, I expect him to raise his level of play in the playoffs. While he is nagged by injuries, he should be well-rested and rejuvenated. It would be huge for the Yanks if A-Rod comes out of the gates hot. I expect him to make his presence felt immediately with a home run in Game 1.

CC Sabathia Will Throw a Complete Game

Game 1 is particularly huge for both the Yankees and Tigers because each team throws its respective ace on the mound. After Sabathia and Verlander, there are question marks throughout both starting rotations, so each pitcher will have to be at his best.

The Yankees' bullpen is pretty well rested, but middle relievers like Luis Ayala, Cory Wade and Boone Logan were forced to pitch in Wednesday's extra-innings game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Because of that, it will be important for Sabathia to get deep into the game on Friday night.

Unlike most, I fully expect the Yankees to have a fairly comfortable lead in the latter stages of the game, so I believe Sabathia will go the distance. As long as his pitch count is reasonable and he isn't laboring, I would give the likes of Rafael Soriano, David Robertson and Mariano Rivera an extra day off.

Justin Verlander Will Last Just Five Innings

Everyone is aware of how great of a season Justin Verlander had. His 24-5 record, 2.40 ERA, .192 batting average against and 250 strikeouts are all incredible, but the Yankees are one of the very few teams equipped to handle him.

Verlander was not particularly good in two starts against the Bronx Bombers this season, and the Yanks won each of those games. His 4.50 ERA against New York was a big deviation from his overall ERA of 2.40. While the Yankees didn't exactly batter him at the plate, they made him work and forced plenty of walks.

No team in the league is more patient at the plate than the Yankees, and in many cases, forcing a walk is just as good as getting a hit. Despite facing the Yankees just twice, Verlander issued eight walks, which is more than he allowed to any other team.

Provided the Yankees can get runners on base and work Verlander's pitch count early in the game, they should be able to score some runs off of him. I think New York's patience will trump Verlander's usual dominance and force him out of the game after just five innings.