The 2013 season came and went faster than anyone could grasp, but one thing carried over from 2012 is the first round matchup between the Oakland Athletics and the Detroit Tigers. Last season’s American League Division Series ended in five games with the Tigers thwarting the Athletics in the first two games, the Athletics bouncing back at home for Games Three and Four until Justin Verlander almost singlehandedly took the series in the decisive final game. The storybook season ended on heartbreaking terms but the spirit of the team and their fans didn’t go quietly into the night. This season they rebuilt and came out firing on all cylinders, not settling for the Wild Card spot the critics had predicted as they won the AL West in dominant fashion. As for the Tigers, there didn’t seem to be much competition in the AL Central as they took their third straight division title with little to no surprise. Still, even with the heroics of last season the Tigers have found themselves in the same position they were in last year as well as in 2006 when these two teams squared off in the American League Championship Series, without home field advantage. Most of the faces on both sides are familiar, but both teams made sure to add key weapons on both sides of the ball to their playoff rosters. The only question left to answer is: Who will be left standing?

The Athletics have decided to give the Game One starting job to former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon who made two starts against the Tigers this season. Colon pitched well in his first start on April 12th, allowing three eared runs off of eight hits, but received a no decision in the Athleics' 4-3 victory. In his second start Colon was lights out, only allowing one earned run off of seven hits in only five innings of work. His second start also came with a no decision after Grant Balfour blew only his second save of the season on a three-run home run by Torii Hunter. On the season the Athletics took the season record against the Tigers 4-3 thanks to clutch hitting from the likes of first-year shortstop Jed Lowrie whose batting a solid .340 for his career against them as well as Brandon Moss who went off for four home runs, 10 RBI and a .269 average to boot. AL MVP candidate Josh Donaldson will be an especially huge factor as he is one of the games best defenders on the hot corner, not to mention a deadly weapon at the plate as he is hitting .357 with one home run and four RBI against the Tigers.

The Tigers have found themselves in a bit of an awkward position as AL Cy Young favorite Max Scherzer and his 21-3 record will be taking the hill for the Tigers. Against most teams in the AL this wouldn’t be an issue; however, in both of Scherzer’s outings against the Athletics they came with no decisions. In his first bout on April 12th (his second start of the season), Scherzer looked solid, only allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out 11 in the Tigers’ loss. In his second start on August 29th he exited after five innings after giving up six runs (five earned) while still striking out five. Luckily for Scherzer, he has a few friends with him who can hit. Miguel Cabrera, despite his .348 average, 44 home runs and 137 RBI, has not hit especially well against the Athletics this season, only .240 with one home run. As for Prince Fielder, Victor Martinez and Hunter, all three of them are hitting AT LEAST .462 with Hunter and Fielder both hitting three home runs apiece in those seven games.

It’s truly a tough one to call; however, based on the way the season closed out and when the teams last met one another the advantage is certainly in the hands of the Athletics. The Athletics will certainly strike out quite a few times, but they will also make contact an equal if not greater amount. Scherzer’s power pitching can only go so far against the quick bats of the Athletics before they drive his pitches into the deep gaps in left and right-centerfield or over the out of town scoreboards. Colon works incredibly well against aggressive, consistent hitters and his ability to get the Tigers to make mistakes at the plate proves that he can handle the pressure of the toughest lineup in all of Major League Baseball.