Detroit @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 7, 2013 ) NY Yankees 7, Detroit 0

The Detroit Tigers have ripped off 12 consecutive wins and the New York Yankees are spiraling out of postseason contention, but both teams will take a back seat to the 2013 Yankee Stadium debut of Alex Rodriguez on Friday night. It will mark the fourth game overall and first in front of the home fans for Rodriguez since he received a record 211-game suspension for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. Rodriguez is 3-for-11 but the Yankees are 0-3 since his return to the lineup.

The Tigers created separation in the American League Central by registering a four-game sweep in Cleveland to open a seven-game lead over the Indians. Pitching has fueled the torrid stretch by Detroit, which limited the opposition to two runs or fewer in 10 of 12 games and outscored them 73-21. Detroit swept New York in four games in last year's AL Championship Series and can put a serious dent in the fading playoff hopes of the Yankees, who are 27-38 after opening the season 30-18.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.28 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Ivan Nova (5-4, 3.08)

Porcello has pitched superbly during the past month, posting a 4-0 record in his last five starts and yielding a total of seven runs over 33 innings in that span. He did not factor in the decision last time out despite holding the Chicago White Sox to one run on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old sinkerballer is 3-2 with a 4.58 ERA in six career starts against the Yankees.

Nova was outstanding in his last turn at San Diego, tossing seven scoreless innings of four-hit ball to improve to 3-2 with seven runs allowed over his past five starts. He has not fared well in his career against the Tigers with an 0-2 record and 8.83 ERA in four appearances (three starts). That includes Nova's season debut, when he took the loss after surrendered four runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit is bidding to win 13 in a row for the first time since the 1934 squad tied a franchise record with 14 straight victories.

2. Yankees 2B Robinson Cano is 6-for-16 lifetime against Porcello.

3. Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera is batting .359 with 15 homers in 43 games against the Yankees.

PREDICTION: Yankees 4, Tigers 3