The Tigers are going to have to catch the ball. They played 47 of their last 51 games against teams that finished below .500. It masked a couple of their flaws, one them being below average in regard to fielding. Game 1, as little has been played so far, was a bit alarming in that regard.

- Along the same lines, Doug Fister was magnificent for the Tigers following the trade from Seattle. But this is the Yankees in the postseason, not the Orioles or Indians playing for nothing in September. Is he really that good? We'll find out tonight.

- Yankees starter Ivan Nova throws hard, but is hardly unhittable. Like Fister, this is new to him. Key will be the Tigers getting to him shortly after play resumes.