Yankees vs. Tigers: Detroit announces rotation, New York's picks still a mystery

The American League Championship series begins Saturday with the New York Yankees' Andy Pettitte and the Detroit Tigers' Doug Fister taking the mound for their respective teams.

Pettitte is 5-4 on the year with a 2.87 ERA with 69 strikeouts. Fister is 10-10 with a 3.45 ERA with 137 strikeouts.

Pettitte, known throughout his career as a big-game pitcher, allowed three runs on seven hits in seven innings in a loss to the Baltimore Orioles in his one start during the Yankees' ALDS.

Fister allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings pitched in his win over the Oakland A's during the Tigers' ALDS win.

Fister will be followed in the Tigers rotation by Anibal Sanchez, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. The Yankees' rotation isn't known yet, but CC Sabathia will be a major part of it.

Sabathia pitched a complete game gem in Game 5 against the Orioles, allowing one run on four hits with nine strikeouts. Overall, he has given up three runs on 12 hits with 16 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings for two of the Yankees' three postseason wins.

The Tigers have a solid rotation, but what makes them special is a Sabathia-sized talent anchoring it in Justin Verlander.

Verlander turned in two gems in the Tigers' series win over Oakland. In two wins, Verlander allowed only one run on seven hits with 22 strikeouts in 16 innings. Verlander is coming off a 17-8 season with a 2.64 ERA and 239 strikeouts.

Sanchez went 9-13 with a 3.86 ERA and 167 strikeouts during the regular season. In his one start so far this postseason, Sanchez went 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits in a loss.

Scherzer went 16-7 with a 3.74 ERA and 231 strikeouts during the regular season. In his lone postseason start, Scherzer allowed one run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision.