ALCS Game 1: Tigers vs. Rangers, Saturday 10/8, 7:05 CT

Rangers/Tigers. You predicted that would be the ALCS matchup before the season started, right?

Neither did I, although I did manage to get four of this year's playoff teams correct. However, I had both the Rangers and Brewers losing in the first round.

Oh, well. Moving on, we have had an excellent postseason so far; of the 19 games played, eight were decided by one run. Interestingly enough, all four losing teams outscored the winning teams in their series (Rays 21, Rangers 16; Yankees 28, Tigers 17; Diamondbacks 25, Brewers 23; Phillies 21, Cardinals 19).

Because the Tigers didn't use Justin Verlander in relief on Thursday (unlike the Yankees, who did use ace CC Sabathia), he will start Game 1. C.J. Wilson goes for the Rangers. Complete details after the jump.

Game time: 7:05 pm CDT. TV: Fox. Announcers: Joe Buck and Terry Francona. Francona is filling in for Tim McCarver. Recently, in an interview done after he left the Red Sox managing job, which covered a number of topics, Francona said this about broadcasting:

On his forthcoming, two-game role as an analyst for Fox Sports in its broadcast of the ALCS, Francona set the bar low.

"I’ve only broadcast one other game in my life," he said. "That was in the Arizona Fall League, about 13 years ago, and that was on the radio, to about 12 people and I sucked."

But seriously, just getting McCarver off the broadcast is an improvement.

MLB.com Gameday for ALCS Game 1

SB Nation game preview for ALCS Game 1

This is the only thread I'm posting for today's game. If you need overflows due to extra innings or rain delays, post them in the fanshot section.

Discuss amongst yourselves.