Yankees vs. Tigers: Why A.J. Burnett Can Bring the ALDS Series Back to New York

After a heart-breaking loss in Game 4 of the ALDS, the New York Yankees find themselves one loss away from being eliminated from the 2011 MLB playoffs.

On the brink of the end of their season, the Yankees will hand the ball to the only guy they'd want to in this situation.

Just kidding.

Joe Girardi will hand the ball to A.J. Burnett in Game 4, hoping he doesn't do what he's been doing all season and actually shows up to pitch a good game.

Stranger things have happened than if Burnett were to throw a good game tonight against Detroit, and here are four reasons why A.J. Burnett has the ability to bring the ALDS back to the Bronx.

1. Burnett Enters Playoffs Pitching Well

A.J. Burnett's last start was against the Boston Red Sox—a start that shocked many doubters of Burnett but didn't add much faith in the righty.

With the season Burnett has had, that's understandable.

Any way you slice it, Burnett looked good. He went 7.2 innings pitched, allowing two runs on five hits in what was one of his longest outings this season.

The 7.2-inning performance against the Red Sox was his second quality start in his last three appearances.

Now, we all know how an entire team enters the playoffs hot and is usually successful, so why can't it happen for a pitcher? Burnett is entering the playoffs coming off one of his best starts this season and could be primed to shock the world with a great start tonight.

2. Yankees Will Produce Runs

Despite A.J. Burnett taking the mound against the Tigers in the ALDS being a scary thought to most Yankees fans, there is still another pitcher taking the mound for the other team.

That is none other than Rick Porcello.

During the 2011 season, Porcello went 14-9 with a 4.79 ERA for Detroit. He has made only one start against the Bombers this season, allowing two runs on eight hits in a Tigers win.

But throw out all the regular season stats because this is Rick Porcello's first career playoff start.

Combine a rough season with your playoff debut and that can be disastrous for young pitchers. The pressure of the playoffs is a totally different thing than making a regular-season start, and Porcello might not react too well.

That means the Yankees will score runs—something that is desperately needed if the Yanks want to win with Burnett on the mound.

The Yankees' bats have been asleep for the most part in the first three games of this series, but I expect them to wake up against a lesser starter in Porcello—much like they did against Doug Fister, who struggled in his postseason debut.

A lot of runs and a decent outing by Burnett should give the Yankees Game 4 of the ALDS.

3. Burnett's Success Against the Detroit Tigers' Lineup

If you go up and down the Tigers' lineup, you will see pretty clearly that A.J. Burnett has had success against many of the best hitters for Detroit.

Miguel Cabrera: 3-for-14 with two RBI.

Victor Martinez: 7-for-27 with three RBI.

Magglio Ordonez: 3-for-14 with one homer and two RBI.

Jhonny Peralta: 3-for-13 with one homer and six RBI (must have had some game).

Delmon Young: 3-for-14 with no RBI.

So as you can see, Burnett has fared extremely well against some of Detroit's best bats.

If you combine the entire Tigers' team numbers, they are hitting .237 lifetime off Burnett, with five home runs and 26 RBI in 156 at-bats.

Not too shabby for Burnett against a tough lineup, and certainly numbers you can live with going into the most important game of the season.

With a history like that, Burnett should at least be able to keep the Tigers in check long enough for the Bombers to score runs and take Game 4 of the ALDS.

4. Game 2 of the 2009 World Series

When seeking hope in A.J. Burnett to win a big game, every Yankee fan will try to channel Burnett's 2009 World Series performance in Game 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

With the Yankees down 0-1 in the series, it was of vital importance that the Yankees won Game 2 and not fall behind 0-2 going back to Philly.

Burnett tossed seven innings, allowing one run on four hits in the Bombers' 3-1 victory over the Phillies. He also struck out nine and started his first 11 hitters with a strike. Combined with only two walks (one intentional), Burnett's control was excellent—a recipe he will need tonight.

It was Burnett's biggest start as a Yankee by far, and one that may have saved the season. No doubt he answered the call against as potent a lineup as the one he will face tonight.

Tonight will be a big game without question—one to save the season for the Yankees, much like he did in 2009.

He has proved he's certainly capable of pitching a big game for the Bombers when they need him most, and I think the memory of that great game will add much-needed faith in Burnett.

The only person that can stop Burnett—as we've seen in the past—is Burnett.