After dominating a four game series with the Los Angeles Angels, the New York Yankees play host to the Detroit Tigers this weekend.
- Detroit Tigers (30-29)
- New York Yankees (30-30)
- American League, 7:05 pm ET, WPIX
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
It is certainly early, but the Bombers are solidifying themselves as a true threat in the American League after a slow start to the season.
Carlos Beltran is playing on another level, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner are setting the table, and Alex Rodriguez has stepped up his game to complement the remainder of the offensive attack. The starting pitching has been largely improved overall and the bullpen has been tremendous.
This weekend, starting tonight, they welcome in the Detroit Tigers for a three-game set that will cap off a seven game home stand.
Detroit is coming off a successful 5-1 home stand that featured a sweep of the White Sox and a series win over Toronto Blue Jays. The Tigers are led by designated hitter Victor Martinez, who is putting together a remarkable 2016 campaign. He is hitting .341 with a .925 OPS out of the middle of the order. Nick Castellanos has also provided a spark while manning the hot corner, blasting 11 homers while maintaining a .316 average thus far.
In addition, there is nothing out of the ordinary to say about Miguel Cabrera. The guy is sensational and a lock for the hall-of-fame.
When the two teams battle it out tonight in the Bronx, it will be a match-up of two surging teams that have regained respectability.
A big 5-run 5th inning? That’s a recipe for a 4-game sweep! ? https://t.co/6khoskwu4x #LetsGoYankeeshttps://t.co/HqS1dJpJ0l
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 10, 2016
When you start the rally, it's only fair you end it with a #walkoff.https://t.co/WQqgkP1sGz #Tigers pic.twitter.com/WnWyGTbGo0
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 8, 2016
Pitching Matchup
The guys toeing the rubber for their respective teams tonight will be CC Sabathia (3-4, 2.58 ERA) and Mike Pelfrey (1-5, 4.76 ERA).
Over his last seven starts, CC has pitched to a superb 1.94 ERA but is only 2-3. Over a shorter span (three starts), he has gone 0-2 while allowing two or less runs in all of the outings. He has truly transformed himself and is putting together his best season since he was most previously on a vintage level in 2012.
32-year-old right-hander Mike Pelfrey has struggled for Detroit all season but has picked it up of late. He has pitched a combined 11 2/3 innings and surrendered only two earned runs in his last two starts.
A fun fact about this evening’s pitching matchup: the two men on the mound stand a combined 13’1″ tall.
Lineups
Now that you have seen the starting pitchers, let’s take a look at how Joe Girardi and Brad Ausmus filled out the lineup card ahead of the series opener.
.@CC_Sabathia, #Yankees start off a weekend series with the Tigers tonight at 7:05 ET. https://t.co/rIMNul2HnB pic.twitter.com/H4MLRjuG5e
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 10, 2016
Mike Pelfrey and the #Tigers head to the Bronx to face the Yankees. First pitch at 7:05 ET. https://t.co/QnfnRUa4MP pic.twitter.com/txgSVxj5ks
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 10, 2016
With Chris Parmelee going on the 15-day DL, Rob Refsnyder will resume his first base duties. No buzz was created in the corresponding roster move as Nick Swisher remains in Triple-A and Chad Green is back in the Yankee ‘pen.
ROSTER MOVES: Placed INF Chris Parmelee on the 15-day D.L. with a right hamstring strain and recalled RHP Chad Green from Scranton/WB.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) June 10, 2016
First pitch will commence at 7:05 pm ET from Yankee Stadium as the Yanks and Tigers meet for the fourth time this season. New York maintains a 2-1 record against Detroit heading into the weekend set.
