Athletics hand ball to rookie Parker for Game 1

DETROIT -- One team has the reigning MVP and another player who just won the Triple Crown.

The Oakland Athletics will try to counter all that by sending — who else? — a rookie to the mound.

"We've been the 'David' all year," A's right-hander Jarrod Parker said. "I think obviously it's a role and an image that we've kind of taken on and been able to embrace and it's fun."

Parker will start against Detroit ace Justin Verlander in Game 1 of the division series today. The AL Central-champion Tigers are making their second straight playoff appearance, but Oakland emerged as one of the game's biggest surprises by winning the AL West.

Now the A's have to contend with Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera — the Detroit third baseman who might win the American League MVP after Verlander took the award last year.

"We know we've got a great ballclub. We know what we have in the clubhouse," Cabrera said. "We know we're going to face a very hot team like Oakland."

Cabrera hit .330 with 44 home runs and 139 RBIs to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1967. But he wasn't the only big story in the closing days of the regular season. The A's rallied to win the AL West, edging Texas by one game when they beat the Rangers on the final day.

Not bad for a team that had the lowest opening day payroll in the majors.

Rookie left-hander Tommy Milone, who matched Parker with 13 wins, is slated to start Game 2.

"Obviously with Verlander going Game 1, you've got to be on your game," Parker said. "We have a lot of left-handed bats that are hot right now, and I think that's one thing we've got going for us."

Outfielder Josh Reddick, one of Oakland's left-handed hitters, hit 32 home runs this year.

The series will start with two games in Detroit, where the weather can be a factor this time of year. In 2006, the Tigers swept the A's in the AL championship series, and there were snow flurries at Comerica on a workout day between games. It rained a bit Friday, but today's forecast looks clear.

That was good news for Verlander (17-8), the powerful right-hander who had two playoff starts cut short by rain last year.

Verlander led the majors in strikeouts this year, and Max Scherzer — Detroit's Game 4 starter — finished second. That could be an asset for the Tigers, especially since Oakland struck out more than any other team. Detroit hasn't been very good defensively in 2012, but if the A's aren't making consistent contact, it might not matter.

The Tigers are expected to start Merced native Doug Fister in Game 2, followed by Anibal Sanchez.