2011 ALDS: 9 Things We Have Learned from Yankees-Tigers Series Thus Far

The American League Divisional Series between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers had been billed as the Tigers' pitching against the vaunted Yankees' hitting. In Game 1, it certainly appeared as if that were the case, as Robinson Cano and Co. slugged their way past Doug Fister and the Tigers.

However, while the billing was correct as far as the results in Game 2 were concerned, the shutting down of the Yankees came courtesy of Tigers' No. 3 starter, Max Scherzer.

Scherzer limited the Yankees to just two hits in six innings plus, striking out five and walking four. While the Yankees attempted to make things interesting in the ninth against closer Jose Valverde in a driving rain, Valverde got Cano to ground out with two runners on, sending the series back to Detroit all tied up.

So, was there anything that we learned from the first two games of the series? Let's take a look.

Yankee Stadium: Put a Lid on It

As anyone can clearly see in the attached photo, Game 2 at Yankee Stadium was completed in a driving rain, and the ninth inning was extended when Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila, attempting to catch a potential game-ending foul pop-up, slipped on a soaked Yankees' on-deck circle, giving the Yankees extra life.

A driving rain that descended on the Bronx Friday night caused the suspension of Game 1, and forced both teams to scramble their pitching rotations. Both Game 1 starters, Justin Verlander of Detroit and CC Sabathia of New York, will now pitch Game 3 on Monday in Detroit.

Maybe I'm crazy, but considering it cost approximately $1.5 billion to build the new Yankee Stadium, wouldn't it have made sense to add a retractable roof for just a few million more?

Just a thought...

That Miguel Cabrera Guy Can Really Hit

In the top of the first inning in Sunday's game at Yankee Stadium, Detroit Tigers first baseman quieted the Yankee Stadium quickly with his opposite-field home off starter Freddy Garcia with a runner on base, giving the Tigers and starter Max Scherzer an early two-run cushion.

It was certainly not a bad pitch by Garcia, working Cabrera outside. However Cabrera just went with the pitch, showing fans why he was the AL batting champion.

Cabrera has learned how to become a complete hitter rather than just a power hitter, by going to all fields and taking what the pitcher gives him, rather than just trying to pull everything. His growth and development as a batter is a big reason why the Tigers can never be counted out.

That Robinson Cano Guy Can Hit Pretty Well, Too

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano put his team on his back in Saturday's resumption of Game 1, with a grand-slam home run and six RBIs.

In Game 2, Cano broke up Detroit Tigers' starter Max Scherzer's no-hitter with a bloop single to left field. Now hitting .444 in the first two games of the series, Cano has clearly become one of the leaders of the Yankees, and together with Curtis Granderson, give the Yankees a great lefty-lefty combination at the top third of the batting order that will continue to give Tigers starters fits throughout the ALDS.

Jorge Posada Is Making a Statement with His Bat

When New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced that Jorge Posada would be the designated hitter for the series against the Detroit Tigers, he was immediately called into question regarding his decision.

Many questioned whether or not young prospect Jesus Montero should have been the starting DH for the Yankees, however Posada has certainly silenced some of that talk, going 3-for-6 in the first two games of the ALDS.

This could very well be Posada's final season in a Yankees uniform, and his postseason experience was clearly a factor in Girardi's decision to start him. Thus far, Posada has not let Girardi down.

Closer Jose Valverde Continues Struggles in Non-Save Situations

Detroit Tigers' closer Jose Valverde certainly made things a bit interesting in the ninth inning of Game 2 against the New York Yankees in the ALDS.

Entering the game in a non-save situation with the Tigers holding a 5-1 lead, Valverde struggled, allowing a leadoff home run to Nick Swisher, a triple to Jorge Posada and a walk to Russell Martin.

Andruw Jones' sacrifice fly to right cut the Tigers lead to 5-3, and the tying run was at the plate. Fortunately for the Tigers, Valverde escaped further damage, however his outing magnified the struggles that Valverde went through during the regular season in non-save situations.

In 49 appearances with a save situation on the line, Valverde earned a 0.55 ERA, converting all 49 opportunities. However in non-save situations, Valverde struggled to a 5.79 ERA.

Yankees Power Guys A-Rod and Mark Teixeira Need to Show Up at Some Point

Through the first two games of the ALDS thus far, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, the Yankees' 4-5 hitters in the lineup, are a combined 1-for-15 with just one RBI.

Rodriguez is clearly feeling the effects of a sore right knee that kept him out of the Yankees lineup for a significant portion of the second half of the regular season, with Yankees manager Joe Girardi hinting that A-Rod could see time at DH when the series returns to Detroit.

Rodriguez hit .191/.345/.353 with three homers in 68 at-bats after coming off the disabled list in August, with only 3 HR and 10 RBI during that time.

Tigers Are Repeating 2006 Success Against Yankees

In the 2006 American League Divisional Series between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees, the Tigers lost Game 1 at Yankees Stadium before taking three straight to move on to the ALCS.

With their win on Sunday, the Tigers have set up the same exact scenario, and heading back to Comerica Park on Monday with ace Justin Verlander on the bump, they will be looking to repeat their 2006 ALDS success.

Derek Jeter Physical and Mental Errors in Game 2 a Big Factor

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was an uncharacteristic 0-for-5 in Sunday's loss to the Detroit Tigers, leaving five runners on base in the process.

However in the sixth inning, it was Jeter's throwing error that led to two unearned runs for the Tigers, and when Boone Logan committed a balk during the inning, it was Jeter's actions behind Logan that appeared to distract him, causing the balk.

Jeter had gotten behind runner Miguel Cabrera, who was drifting off the second base bag. Jeter appeared to be yelling for the ball, and Logan stopped in mid-delivery while in the stretch.

Ivan Nova Shows True Grit in First-Ever Postseason Start

Technically, New York Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova was not making his first-ever postseason start on Saturday against the Detroit Tigers.

Because of the suspension of Game 1 on Friday night, Nova actually came on in relief of starter CC Sabathia with the score tied 1-1.

However, it didn't appear to matter to Nova. He was outstanding for the Yankees, allowing just two runs on four hits through 6.1 innings, working into the ninth inning before giving way to Luis Ayala and Mariano Rivera.

Should the ALDS be extended to a Game 5, Nova will get the call for the Yankees at home, and based on his first appearance, that certainly bodes well.