Taking a look at the Tigers, the O's opponents in the ALDS

The Detroit Tigers will be in Camden Yards on Thursday to play the Orioles in the American League Division Series. Here are 10 things to know about the Tigers: * The Tigers have a rookie manager in Brad Ausmus, a former catcher known for communication. General manager Dave Dombrowski went with a rookie after the experience of Jim Leyland couldn't bring Detroit a World Series title in the first three years of the Tigers' postseason run. Dombrowski said that when Leyland retired, he had a list of 50 candidates to replace him. * The Tigers' last World Series title was in 1984. They lost in the American League Championship Series in 2013 and 2011. They lost to San Francisco in the 2012 World Series. * The Tigers' biggest issue is once again the bullpen. Closer Joe Nathan, at 40, has been erratic, although he closed down Minnesota in the Tigers' title-clinching 3-0 win Sunday at Comerica Park. Anibal Sanchez, a first-rate starter, is going to pitch out of the bullpen in the postseason and that should help fix one of their biggest concerns. Nathan did end up with 35 saves, but he was booed by his hometown fans and overall, it's been a tough season for him. Nathan has not won a World Series title even though he's been to the postseason with the Twins three times and the Rangers and Giants once each. * Last offseason, the Tigers traded their big-name first baseman, Prince Fielder, to the Rangers for second baseman Ian Kinsler, who played excellent defense and established career highs in RBIs (92), games (161) and hits (188). * The Tigers' version of Steve Pearce is left fielder J.D. Martinez. Martinez was a top-notch prospect with the Houston Astros, but he under-achieved and was released on March 22. The Tigers signed him and sent him to Triple-A Toledo. Martinez hit 10 home runs in 17 games to earn a promotion to the Tigers. Ever since, he's hit .315 with 23 home runs, providing a strong bat behind Victor Martinez, an AL MVP candidate. * Justin Verlander, once the ace of the Tigers' staff, is adjusting to life without a fastball that used to be clocked in triple digits in the late innings. He can still dial it to 94 mph. And if his last two games are an indication, he can come through when the Tigers need him the most: He had 10 strikeouts and no walks in 15 1/3 innings over his last two games. * Miguel Cabrera played hurt last October and he's been dealing with nagging injuries all season. But while not completely healthy, he's looked good in September with a .379 average and eight home runs. * Martinez has never played in a postseason game and neither has Tigers shortstop, Andrew Romine or third baseman Nick Castellanos. Could inexperience hurt them? All told, the Tigers have 15 players with experience in October. * The only two Tigers who have won World Series rings are Cabrera, with the 2003 Marlins, and Joba Chamberlain, with the 2009 Yankees. * The Tigers are 5-1 versus the Orioles and play well against good teams. They went 13-6 versus Kansas City, 5-2 against Oakland and 3-1 versus the Dodgers.