MLB Playoffs: Pivotal Game 4 Will Determine Rangers Tigers Series Winner

Whoever wins game four of the Rangers-Tigers series will be going to the World Series. For the Rangers the path is obvious. They would be up 3-1 and only be in need of one win over the next three games.

And while the win would only pull Detroit even, the matchups are set in a way that they will have a clear advantage over the last four games.

Let's start by looking at the...

Probable Pitching Matchups

Game 5: CJ Wilson vs. Justin Verlander

Game 6: Max Scherzer vs. Derek Holland

Game 7: Doug Fister vs. Colby Lewis 

How it Will Play Out

The Rangers do not want to go into a best of three series with the Tigers when Justin Verlander and Doug Fister are set to start two of the games.

The Rangers got to Justin Verlander in his first start in Game 1 of the series. The probable AL Cy Young winner lasted just four innings and gave up three runs.

This is not going to happen again. Verlander was just off in that start, and he has not had bad consecutive starts all season.

Verlander will shut down the Rangers his second time on the mound.

Doug Fister has been steady as a rock since joining the Tigers. He did to the Rangers in Game 3 what he has done to everyone. And that is frustrate and shut them down. The last thing the Rangers want to see is a Game 7 with Fister on the mound.