MLB

The matchups

CATCHER

Russell Martin has been one of the most reliable hitters in the Yankees’ lineup this postseason. That’s good news for Martin, but not necessarily for the Yanks. Alex Avila was awful against the Yankees in last year’s ALDS, but is reliable behind the plate and Gerald Laird got some time in this year’s ALDS win over Oakland.

Edge: Even

FIRST BASE

Prince Fielder has yet to prove himself as a postseason player and he didn’t do much in the Tigers’ ALDS win over the A’s, but he is still one of the most feared hitters in the game. Mark Teixeira has started to get his timing back at the plate and is a significantly better defender.

Edge: Tigers

SECOND BASE

After a sizzling end to the regular season, Robinson Cano cooled off considerably against the Orioles, but still has the advantage over mid-season trade acquisition Omar Infante, who is average, at best.

Edge: Yankees

SHORTSTOP

Derek Jeter has been fighting a foot injury for the last month but it hardly slowed him against the Orioles. Jhonny Peralta is fine at short, but no match for Jeter.

Edge: Yankees

THIRD BASE

Miguel Cabrera, the Triple Crown winner, didn’t exactly shine against the A’s in the last round, but he didn’t get benched, either. Alex Rodriguez will be thrilled he won’t have to see Darren O’Day again, but Detroit’s hard-throwing right-handers could be just as tough on the fallen star, if he even starts.

Edge: Tigers

LEFT FIELD

Andy Dirks has developed into a solid option for the Tigers, while Quintin Berry is a speedy alternative, but Ichiro Suzuki has the star power and is still thriving with his new team.

Edge: Yankees

CENTER FIELD

In a battle of dueling strikeout machines, at least Austin Jackson has managed to be productive when he does make contact. The only thing that’s gone right for Curtis Granderson is he’s not Alex Rodriguez.

Edge: Tigers

RIGHT FIELD

Nick Swisher’s strong September has turned into another October disappearing act, while Dirks splits time there with newcomer Avisail Garcia, who didn’t start a game for Detroit in September. The 21-year-old is still wildly inexperienced.

Edge: Even

DESIGNATED HITTER

Delmon Young beat up Yankees pitching a year ago in the playoffs when he hit three homers. Raul Ibanez has been terrific lately, but Eduardo Nunez still has to show he’s capable of producing in the postseason.

Edge: Tigers

STARTING PITCHING

Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia had to pitch their respective teams into the next round with Game 5 starts, but the Tigers should be able to throw Verlander on full rest in Game 3, while Sabathia will likely have to wait for Game 4. Joe Girardi also must decide whether to use Hiroki Kuroda on short rest or rookie David Phelps for Game 2 after Andy Pettitte pitches tonight. Doug Fister and Max Scherzer figure to go in the first two for the Tigers.

Edge: Tigers

RELIEF PITCHING

Jose Valverde played a key role in knocking the Yankees out of the ALDS a year ago, but lately, the only Tiger capable of closing out a game has been Verlander. David Robertson and Rafael Soriano have continued to excel in Mariano Rivera’s absence.

Edge: Yankees

BENCH

Ibanez showed again how dangerous he is in late-game situations and Eric Chavez figures to play a critical role considering Rodriguez’s continued problems. Don Kelly has come through at the plate for the Tigers in each of the past two postseasons and Danny Worth provides defense throughout the infield.

Edge: Even

MANAGER

Joe Girardi and Jim Leyland both have had playoff success in the past and this season guided favored teams to division titles despite some inconsistency during the regular season.

Edge: Even

INTANGIBLES

Each team endured its fair share of ups and downs in both the regular season and the playoffs to set up a rematch of last year’s 2011 ALDS and now they find themselves back on even ground with plenty of postseason experience.

Edge: Even