Tigers at Yankees
Justin Verlander will look to end the Detroit Tigers' tailspin when he visits the Bronx to face the New York Yankees on Friday. The Tigers fell for the fourth straight time and sixth in seven outings on Thursday when they suffered a 5-4 setback to the visiting Seattle Mariners.
Derek Jeter has been sizzling for New York heading into this rematch of the 2011 American League Division Series. The captain, who is riding a 15-game hitting streak, has seen his batting average balloon to .420.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSD (Detroit), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (2-1, 1.72 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Ivan Nova (3-0, 3.79 ERA)
Verlander has picked up right where he left off last year. The reigning AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner has yielded just seven runs and struck out 31 batters in four starts this season. Verlander permitted one run on four hits in six innings last Saturday as he posted his second straight win with a 3-2 triumph over Texas.
While his resume doesn't compare with his pitching counterpart, Nova is quietly getting the job done this season. The 25-year-old Dominican has won his first three starts by working his way out of potential jams. Receiving 23 runs of support hasn't hurt matters for Nova, who has won 15 straight decisions and will make his first career start against the Tigers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Jeter has mustered nine hits - all singles - in 25 career at-bats (.360) versus Verlander.
2. The Tigers parted ways with struggling third baseman Brandon Inge, who had just two hits in 20 at-bats this season. The 34-year-old Inge played his entire 12-year career with Detroit.
3. Detroit recalled right-hander Brayan Villarreal from Toledo and optioned right-hander Thad Weber back to the Triple-A team.