Detroit @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2013 ) Detroit 3, NY Yankees 4

The Detroit Tigers have enjoyed five winning streaks of at least 12 games in their history and three of them were snapped by the New York Yankees. The latest chapter came on Friday night, when the host Yankees put an end to Detroit's 12-game winning streak while also halting their own four-game skid. The Tigers, who maintained their seven-game lead over Cleveland atop the American League Central, will look to get back on track Saturday afternoon in the middle contest of the three-game series.

New York withstood a tying two-run homer by Miguel Cabrera off Mariano Rivera with two outs in the ninth inning before registering the walk-off victory in the 10th. It was the first time baseball's all-time saves leader has blown consecutive saves in a three-day span since April 2005. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez did little to endear himself to the home fans in his Yankee Stadium season debut, going 0-for-4 and striking out three times.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (9-7, 2.58 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (4-10, 4.87)

Sanchez has allowed four runs and 19 hits over his last four starts, although he is only 2-1 in that span. He did not factor in the decision last time out in Cleveland despite striking out 11 and giving up two runs in 7 2/3 innings. Sanchez was pounded by the Yankees for seven runs in three innings last August, but he bounced back to limit New York to three hits over seven scoreless innings in the AL Championship Series.

Hughes' winless drought reached five starts when he was clubbed for five runs in 2 2/3 innings in San Diego on Sunday. He lasted only four innings in his previous start versus Tampa Bay, permitting five runs on nine hits, and is 1-6 over his last nine outings. Hughes has had mixed success against Detroit with a 5-5 record and 4.42 ERA in 11 appearances, but he has been taken deep 10 times in 53 innings by the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera has tormented Hughes, going 12-for-23 with four homers, three doubles and 10 RBIs.

2. Yankees LF Alfonso Soriano, who is 5-for-26 with a pair of homers against Sanchez, needs one hit to reach 2,000 for his career.

3. Yankees RHP David Robertson has not allowed a run in 21 straight outings, dating to June 16.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Yankees 4