The Detroit Tigers enter the World Series match up with the San Francisco Giants brimming with confidence.

The team dominated the New York Yankees in the American League division series, never trailing once as the Tigers swept in four games. Justin Verlander has been pitching like a Hall of Famer and the team has sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder to rely on.

But if there is one thing that the Tigers need to worry about, it's their bullpen.

Closer Jose Valverde was rocked in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Yankees, although the Tigers eventually won that game. Detroit was up 4-0 in the bottom of the ninth when Valverde gave up two two-run home runs to Ichiro Suzuki and Raul Ibanez.

Up until Game 2 of the ALCS, Valverde posted a 27.00 ERA and a 3.43 WHIP in the postseason. He was replaced by Phil Coke for the rest of the Yankees series and when the World Series starts, Valverde will not have pitched in a game in 11 days.

Manager Jim Leyland began using Coke in save situations, but he has never been a closer in the regular season before.

"Just going to play it by ear, see what happens," Leyland said Tuesday to Yahoo Sports. "I don't really have any definite information on that yet. We'll just see how the game plays out, who's coming up. Like I always say, I hope we have to worry about that. If we do, we'll come up with somebody."

Valverde had a solid regular season, but at times was erratic and ineffective. He notched 35 saves, pitched 69 innings and have up 58 hits while posting an ERA of 3.78. In 2011 he had a season for the ages, posting a 2.24 ERA with 49 saves in 49 chances.

"I understand the magnitude of it in the postseason," Leyland said to ESPN after Game 2. "I understand it's a normal thing to say, 'Well, you can't close with him.' That's easy to say. However, don't forget, the last three outs are very tough to get, and it takes a special cat in a lot of cases to do that.

Over the past three seasons Valverde leads the league with 110 total saves, but that's the regular season. Nothing compares to the World Series.

 As the playoffs go on, the most important aspect of each team usually is the bullpen. Teams can score runs, but when it comes down to it, the most important thing is closing out games and getting wins.

Verlander has the ability to pitch a complete game every time he throws, but he cannot pitch every game. Luckily for the Tigers, Coke has proved valuable in tight situations so far this postseason. In four appearances this postseason, he has yet to allow a run. He has also showed a flair for striking out bug-name hitters, including Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez and Ichiro Suzuki.

"Yeah, I'm having a good time," Coke said. "I'm not worried about anything. I'm just smiling. When I allow myself to let it happen, it's when I excel. ... I just try to think of my daughter and my wife and my family and why I'm doing this particular profession at this point in my life. Seriously, it's a kids' game. It's a good time. It's fun. I enjoy myself thoroughly when I play."