Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Luis Severino vs Jordan Zimmerman
Severino is making his first start of his sophomore season and looking to build on his strong first season in the show. In 11 starts last year, the 22-year old went 5-3 with a 3.89 ERA and many are considering him to not only be the ace of the future but the most talented starter in the rotation right now.
He was roughed up in the Spring Opener by the Tigers, but the regular season has totally different atmosphere and Severino is ready to get off to a hot start.
Zimmerman is making his debut in the Motor City after inking a 5-year, $110 million with the Tigers. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts against the Yankees
Game 2: CC Sabathia vs Mike Pelfrey
Sabathia, who won the fifth starter “competition,” will take the hill making his 2016 season debut on Saturday.
After a forgetful spring, the big lefty will attempt to carry over his strong September from 2015. Sabathia had a 2.17 ERA in five starts with his new knee brace.
The Yankees have seen Pelfrey before and enjoy hitting off the notorious innings eater. In six games against him, Yankee hitters have a .280/.352/.399 slash line with three home runs.
Game 3: Masahiro Tanaka vs Justin Verlander
Tanaka is coming off a tolerable Opening Day start and will look to go deeper into the ballgame in his second start of 2016.
In 2015, Tanaka went 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA in two starts against the Tigers. Three of the thirteen hits he gave up were home runs.
Verlander is coming off a start in which he carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning on Opening Day, and is looking to change the usual narrative of his career against the Bombers.
In 17 starts against New York, the 35-year old has a 5-7 record with a 4.03 ERA. He has not beaten the Yankees since August 6th of 2012.
