After winning the first series of the regular season, the New York Yankees will travel to take on the undefeated Detroit Tigers.
By Christian Kouroupakis
In their opening series against the Houston Astros, the Yankee offense exploded with 27 runs in the first three games, good enough for the most runs in the American League.
Starlin Castro has undoubtedly fueled the offense, thanks to his two home runs and eight RBI in his first three games in New York.
The Yankees sought and achieved vengeance over the team that handed them an early exit from the 2015 postseason, and now the Bombers seek to hand the Tigers their first loss of this season.
Detroit is coming off a two-game series sweep of the Miami Marlins, a series in which their offense was also in hight gear.
The Tigers’ offense was powered by Victor Martinez’s two home runs, and he’ll be looking for some more pitches to drive out of the park.
Two of the league’s best offenses are about to clash in a three-game set and here’s everything you need to know before the first game on Friday.
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.
Keys To A Series Win
Don’t Forget to Pack the Hitting Shoes
Led by Castro and Mark Teixeira, who have a combined four home runs and eight RBI, The 27-time Wolrd Champions scored 27 runs the opening series.
They’ll need that to continue not only because the Tigers offense is productive as well, but because Yankee starting pitching has a 7.47 ERA thus far.
This makes offensive performance imperative, and if they could score almost 30 runs every series, this will be a fun year.
Get The Starting Pitching In Check
The focus all spring was health. Now that the pitching is healthy, it’s time to provide solid play.
The Yankees are the only team in the American League with a winning record with a starting pitching ERA over 4.24 (New York has a 7.47).
This cannot continue if the Bombers want to compete in 2016. As good as their offense is, they will go as far as their starting pitching will take them.
With guys like Kinsler, Justin Upton, and Miguel Cabrera in the lineup, Yankee starters have a tall task this weekend. Yankee pitching will have to find a way to quiet the big bats if they want to leave Comerica with two or maybe three wins.
Players To Watch
Starlin Castro
This guy is simply on fire.
In his first three games as a Yankee, the 26-year old has a .583/.583/1.250 slash line with two home runs and a league-leading seven RBI.
He’s becoming a saving grace in that lineup, providing the Yankees with consistency at a position they haven’t had since 2013.
Watch to see if “Darlin’ Starlin” will continue his offensive tear, and further prove he still has superstar status.
CC Sabathia
This Saturday, Sabathia will be making his first start of 2016, and his first start since checking himself into an alcoholic rehabilitation center prior to the 2015 postseason.
Look for what a mind-at-peace could do for Sabathia. We all know about his decreased velocity, new knee brace, and old age, but the guy was trying to adjust to his new “style” of pitching while dealing with a debilitating disease.
He’s a competitor, a winner, and now he’s as focused as he’s ever been. It should be a fun ballgame and an interesting season from the former AL CY-Young award winner.
Miguel Cabrera
Anytime one of the greatest hitters of this generation is playing, he’s something to keep an eye on.It’s just something about these damn Yankees that makes it even more fun whenever he faces them.
In 60 games against New York, Cabrera has a .336/.413/.664 slash line with 18 home runs and 46 RBI. Look for this monster to put up more highlights to add to his epic career statistics against the Yankees.
Or, watch for New York’s pitching to somehow contain this beast. Either way, this is someone to watch this weekend.
Game Times, Predictions
- Game 1: Friday, 1:10 PM ET, YES Network
- Game 2: Saturday, 1:10 PM ET, MLBN, YES Network
- Game 3: Sunday, 8:10 PM ET, ESPN
You can’t predict baseball, but fans can expect a high scoring series highlighted by big hits and high scoring affairs.
The Yankees and Tigers have 42 runs between them, and their starting pitching has a combined ERA of 6.18.
With the way Castro, Teixeira, Kinsler, and Cabrera have played thus far, it’s safe to say starting pitchers will have their hands full with their opposition.
ESNY will provide you with in-game video highlights, analysis, and postgame reactions all weekend so make sure you stay tuned for complete Yankee coverage.
BOLD PREDICTION: Alex Rodriguez will hit his first home run of the season this weekend.