2011 MLB Playoffs: Down 2-1, It's Up to A.J. Burnett for Yankees vs Tigers

The New York Yankees 2011 season is now in the hands of A.J. Burnett.

Never thought you would hear those words during the season, did you? But unfortunately, it is true.

That's because the Yankees lost a tough Game 3 to the Tigers 5-4, putting them behind 2-1 in the series with Game 4 to be played on Tuesday night.

The Yankees had a few opportunities on Monday night to try and steal Game 3 from Detroit at Comerica Park.

Justin Verlander was not sharp in the beginning and the Yankees took advantage with two early runs in the first inning, which put them ahead 2-0.

CC Sabathia was not sharp either, as he walked three batters in the first inning, but somehow escaped trouble.

After the first inning, Verlander settled down and got back to work, setting the Yankee hitters down.

Sabathia still couldn't find a rhythm and he just didn't have it on Monday. An RBI single Ramon Santiago made it 2-1 and Miguel Cabrera grounded into a double play with the bases loaded to make it 2-2.

Another big RBI double by Santiago off Sabathia made it 3-2 and an RBI double in the sixth by Jhonny Peralta made it 4-2.

Brett Gardner made it 4-4 in the seventh with an RBI double off Verlander and the Yankees were right back in the game.

But the deciding blow was Delmon Young hitting the go-ahead solo home run off Rafael Soriano that made it 5-4.

The Yankees tried to rally on Detroit closer Jose Valverde, but a strikeout of Derek Jeter with runners on first and second ended that rally and gave Detroit a 2-1 lead in the ALDS.

Now going into Tuesday, AJ Burnett will start Game 4 for the Yankees, while the Tigers will counter with Rick Porcello.

And just like I was envisioning before Game 3, the repeat of the 2006 ALDS is happening all over again.

The Yankees didn't get their best from their ace Sabathia, just like the Yankees didn't get their best from Randy Johnson five years ago.

And now, the season rests on the arm of their 34-year-old pitcher.

Five years ago, nobody gave Jaret Wright a chance in the world to beat Detroit, and he put up a stinker to help sink the Yankees.

I don't think there are too many people out there who have a ton of confidence in Burnett, who was 11-11 and an ERA over 5.00 in 2011.

But the one thing Burnett has on his side is playoff experience.

Back in 2009, he pitched very well for the Yankees when they won the World Series, especially in Game 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies, out-dueling Pedro Martinez.

Down 0-1, Burnett rebounded for the victory after Sabathia lost against Cliff Lee in Game 1.

That's the type of Burnett the Yankees need on Tuesday. The only question is, will he show up?

Even Yankees manager Joe Girardi isn't too sure, as he said in the Yankees post-game press conference that Burnett will be on a short-leash on Tuesday.

Don't be surprised to see Phil Hughes pitch—and pitch early—in Game 4.

Burnett makes $16.5 million per season and is under contract for another two years. His future with the Yankees could be decided based on his Game 4 performance.

He could wipe away all of the criticism he has received all year long by pitching a gem and saving the Yankees season.

Or, if Burnett does what Jaret Wright did five years ago and stink up the place, Burnett might be packing his bags and headed right out of the Bronx, because a bad performance in the playoffs might be the final nail in the coffin for his Yankees career.

So now, the 2011 season all comes down to one game and one pitcher.

It would be one thing if that one pitcher was Andy Pettitte.

But it's not. It's A.J. Burnett.

And Tuesday could mean the end of the 2011 baseball year for the Yankees.

Brace yourselves, Yankees Universe.