New York @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2011 ) Detroit 5, NY Yankees 3

THE STORY: If momentum is only as good as the next day’s pitcher, both the New York Yankees and host Detroit Tigers should be confident entering Monday’s critical Game 3 of the American League Division Series. After rain interrupted their highly anticipated rematch Friday night, Tigers ace Justin Verlander will oppose New York’s CC Sabathia. Detroit is trying to follow the script of the 2006 ALDS, when it lost the series opener to the Yankees before coming back to win the next three games.

TV: 8:37 p.m. ET, TBS

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (0-0, 9.00 ERA).

Verlander, the AL leader in wins (24), ERA (2.40) and strikeouts (250), walked four batters only twice this season – both times against the Yankees. He walked two in his one inning Friday, an ominous sign since he went 0-1 in the two starts against New York. Yet he was 12-0 in his last 13 regular-season starts and went 22-2 after a no-decision vs. New York on May 2.

Sabathia looked sharp Friday night, striking out four in two innings before the rains came. He has struggled with his command during the last two months of the season, allowing 10 hits in five of his last 10 starts. Sabathia has come up empty in Detroit since joining the Yankees prior to the 2009 season, losing all three starts at Comerica Park and allowing 14 runs in 21 innings.

ABOUT THE YANKEES: New York was no-hit for five innings in Sunday’s Game 2 loss and didn’t get on the scoreboard until Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher hit solo homers in the last two innings. The Yankees cannot rely solely on the long ball in spacious Comerica Park. Jorge Posada, an afterthought for much of the season, is 3-for-6 in the ALDS. Alex Rodriguez, on the other hand, is 0-for-8.

ABOUT THE TIGERS: AL batting champ Miguel Cabrera had three hits, including a homer, and three RBIs in Game 2. Magglio Ordonez also had three hits and Victor Martinez had an RBI single. Leadoff hitter Austin Jackson, however, is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts. Closer Jose Valverde needed 34 pitches to quell New York’s ninth-inning comeback Sunday. Setup man Joaquin Benoit threw 23 pitches in two innings.

FINAL PITCH: Valverde, who converted all 49 save chances this season, struggled in a non-save situation Sunday. He allowed two runs before closing it out as Detroit improved to 84-0 when leading entering the ninth inning.