2011 MLB Playoff Schedule: Closer Look at Tigers' 5 Starters vs. Yankees

Earlier today it was reported by ESPN that the Detroit Tigers will be taking five starting pitchers on the roster into their ALDS series against the New York Yankees.

Justin Verlander, Doug Fister and Mark Scherzer are the first three starters. Rick Porcello and Brad Penny are also included on the roster in place of an additional reliever.

One of the primary matchups that is the focus of the ALDS series is the Tigers pitching against the Yankees pitching.

Here is a closer look at each of the five starting pitchers the Tigers are taking into the series.

1. Justin Verlander

Verlander needs no introduction. The 28-year-old was possibly the best on the mound this season in the league.

His 24 wins ranks as the top in the league. His 2.40 ERA is tied with Philadelphia's Cliff Lee as the third-best among pitchers. He has the lowest WHIP percentage at .92 and has pitched more innings than any other player. Not to mention he has the most strikeouts.

Verlander will play in the first game of the series tonight. He will match up against the Yankees' C.C. Sabathia.

2. Doug Fister

Doug Fister has been a gem for the Tigers.

Fister started the season with a 3-12 record in Seattle. A six-player trade brought him to Detroit and he has been lights-out ever since.

In recent months Fister has been arguably the best pitcher in the league. He just won the award for AL Pitcher of the Month in September.

Since joining the Tigers, Fister has accumulated an 8-1 record with a 1.79 ERA.

3. Mark Scherzer

Mark Scherzer at times may look like an average pitcher, but it's likely only because he is stuck in the shadows of Verlander and Fister.

Scherzer is still a quality starter for the Tigers. His 15-9 record actually ranks him second in wins with the team since Fister wasn't acquired until midseason.

Scherzer may have slipped slightly this season in Detroit, but he is still producing wins. At the end of the day that's what matters.

4. Rick Porcello

There are some who will argue that Porcello should be the No. 3 pitcher in the Detroit rotation.

In terms of production, Porcello and Scherzer have had very similar seasons. Porcello has a 14-9 record.

The only difference is that Porcello is a much more conservative pitcher. He doesn't throw nearly as many strikes, but his results are still the same.

In fact, Porcello has 19 quality starts this season, three more than Scherzer.

At the end of the day, he is a great pitcher to have in a game four where other teams may start to fall off in terms of quality.

5. Brad Penny

Not to knock on Brad Penny, but it was a pretty surprising to find out that the Tigers were going to bring five starting pitchers into the ALDS series.

It's the 11-year veteran's first year with the club, and he hasn't been anything spectacular. However, nobody really expected him to be.

His 11-11 record and 5.30 ERA is something you may expect to find on the Orioles pitching staff.

The move was surprising, especially with two studs like Verlander and Fister on the squad. Only time will tell if it was the right decision.