Detroit @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2010 ) Detroit 3, NY Yankees 1
Most teams would not be looking forward to facing Justin Verlander. After what's happened to them over the last two games, the New York Yankees are welcoming the opportunity.
The Yankees will be glad to face a familiar pitcher on Tuesday when they host Verlander and the Detroit Tigers in the second contest of their four-game series.
Facing Kansas City Royals hurler Bryan Bullington for the first time on Sunday, New York was limited to a pair of singles over eight innings by the right-hander and suffered a 1-0 loss. On Monday night, the Yankees got their first look at Detroit's Max Scherzer, who allowed two singles over six scoreless frames en route to a 3-1 victory.
New York avoided being shut out a second straight time for the first time since May 1999, scoring its lone run on a bases-loaded walk to Brett Gardner in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was a small victory for the Yankees, who lost a pair of All-Stars to injury midway through the game.
Alex Rodriguez flied out in the fourth inning and did not return for the fifth due to tightness in his left calf. Right fielder Nick Swisher hurt his right forearm making a play in the top of the sixth and was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the frame.
Yankees captain Derek Jeter also had a rough night, making a throwing error in the fifth inning that halted his streak of 52 consecutive games without a fielding miscue and grounding into a pair of double plays - including one with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth that ended the game.
Ryan Raburn belted a two-run homer in the second inning and Miguel Cabrera launched a solo shot in the ninth for the Tigers. In his last 11 games, Raburn has five home runs and 11 RBIs.
The victory was Detroit's fourth in its last 17 road games and third in a row away from home. The Tigers will try to extend the winning streak behind Verlander, who is on a bit of a roll himself.
Verlander has won five of his last seven decisions, including Wednesday's start against the Tampa Bay Rays in which he allowed one run and six hits in six innings of a 3-2 triumph.
In seven career starts against New York, Verlander is 4-2 with a 3.63 ERA. The 27-year-old held the Yankees to four hits over 6 2/3 innings en route to a 6-0 victory at Comerica Park on May 13.
Verlander will be making his 13th start on the road this season. Over the previous 12, the right-hander has gone 5-4 with a 4.72 ERA.
New York counters with CC Sabathia, who is tied for the American League lead in victories with Tampa Bay's David Price and former Yankee Carl Pavano of the Minnesota Twins.
Sabathia has won each of his last two starts and 11 of 13 decisions. On Thursday, the burly left-hander came within one out of a complete game, yielding three runs and 10 hits in 8 2/3 innings of a 4-3 win at Kansas City.
In 29 career outings against Detroit, Sabathia is 14-11 with a 4.65 ERA. The 30-year-old surrendered six runs and nine hits over six innings in New York's 6-0 loss to Verlander on May 13.
Sabathia has struggled against Cabrera over his career as the Tigers slugger his hitting .636 (7-for-11) with two home runs and nine RBIs.
Looking to remain perfect at home this year, Sabathia is 8-0 with a 2.64 ERA in 11 starts at Yankee Stadium.