Yankees at Tigers
Justin Verlander and Masahiro Tanaka made strong statements right out of the gate in their respective season-opening contests, only to be left with a no-decision following a premature exit. The aces of the Detroit Tigers and visiting New York Yankees look to pitch deeper into the night on Sunday at Comerica Park when the clubs play the rubber match of the three-game series.
Verlander would be wise to keep a keen eye on Alex Rodriguez, who collected his third hit in two contests with his 688th career homer in Saturday's 8-4 victory over Detroit. The 40-year-old Rodriguez is batting .331 in his career against the Tigers, including a four-game home run streak in games that he has faced the 2011 American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner. Detroit tasted defeat for the first time this season despite Jose Iglesias recording his third consecutive multi-hit performance. The 26-year-old Cuban has tormented New York in his young career, recording 25 hits in 24 contests for a .316 batting average.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (0-0, 3.18) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (0-0. 4.50)
Tanaka showed no ill effects with his surgically repaired right elbow on Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings versus Houston. The 27-year-old Japanese star was not as successful in a pair of outings against Detroit last season, losing one decision while yielding eight runs on 13 hits in 11 1/3 frames. J.D. Martinez belted two homers off Tanaka as Detroit flexed its muscle with a 12-4 rout at Yankee Stadium on June 21.
Verlander kept Miami at bay into the sixth before the wheels fell off on Tuesday, scattering three runs on as many hits in the inning. The 33-year-old has struggled of late against the Yankees, failing to record a win versus them since 2012 while posting a 5-7 career mark with a 4.03 ERA in 17 starts. While Verlander has endured issues when facing Rodriguez, the right-hander certainly has gotten the better of Mark Teixeira by limiting him to an .083 career average (3-for-36) with 11 strikeouts.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York 2B Starlin Castro is 9-for-20 in five games this season, a stark contrast to his 6-for-32 performance in eight career meetings with Detroit.
2. Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler is 8-for-19 with five RBIs and five runs scored, but is 0-for-6 versus Tanaka.
3. Yankees OF Jacoby Ellsbury has hit safely in four straight games.