New York Yankees (21-9) at Detroit Tigers (17-14)
7 :05 PM ET on ESPN
FREE Expert MLB Picks
Starting Pitchers
NYY: S. Mitre (0-0, 2.79)
DET: D. Willis (1-1, 3.99)
The New York Yankees will look to get back on the rails when they roll into Comerica Park on Monday to begin a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers.
This is the first meeting between the two teams this season. New York won five of six last in 2009.
The Yankees had won six straight until Sunday’s 9-3 defeat to bitter rivals the Boston Red Sox. The loss dropped them a half-game back of the division leading Tampa Bay Rays. Meanwhile, Detroit has fallen 3 ½ games off the pace behind Minnesota and is currently 6-4 in their last 10 with a 7-4 defeat at Cleveland in their last outing.
Much of this year’s Tigers’ success has been getting runners on base. Rookie Austin Jackson took a .420 on-base percentage into Monday night’s game and veteran Johnny Damon had an on-base average of .457 following Sunday’s game. Detroit currently leads the AL in doubles and is one of the top hitting teams in the league. Slugger Miguel Cabrera leads the league with 33 RBIs and is hitting .370 entering tonight’s contest.
The boys in pinstripes continue to roll and lead the league in batting average, slugging and OBP. First baseman Mark Teixeira belted three homers Saturday against the Red Sox, and third baseman Alex Rodriguez snapped a 61 at-bat homerless streak Sunday night, belting a solo shot against the Red Sox.
The Yanks will spot-start right-handed pitcher Sergio Mitre in Monday’s series opener in place of veteran starter Andy Pettitte who is recovery from an elbow problem. Mitre has allowed three earned runs in 9 2/3 innings as a long reliever for the Yankees so far this season, but has been a starter throughout his career. He posted a 6.79 ERA in 51 2/3 innings last season for the Yankees. The 29-year old went 5-8 in 27 starts in Florida in 2007 with a 4.65 ERA.
Another Marlins Alumni, Detroit’s Dontrelle Willis, who hasn’t faced the Yankees since 2006 with Florida, will take the mound in game one for the Tigers. After coming over to the Detroit in 2008, the 28-year old has shown definite improvement after making just 14 starts over his first two seasons, posing an 8.27 ERA and a 2.05 WHIP. But he’s still walking too many batters. Willis pitched six shutout innings against the Twins to earn his first win April 29 and retired 12 straight Tuesday at Minnesota after allowing six of the first 10 batters to reach. He didn’t receive a decision, giving up three runs over 5 1-3 innings in a 4-3 loss. He is 0-1 in just one career start against the Bronx Bombers with an ERA of 2.25.
Odds makers have the Yankees as –1-½ – favorites with a run total of 10.
Depending on how well and deep Mitre can pitch, and the ability of the New York offense to compensate for a possible second straight pitching meltdown, this one could easily go the Tigers’ way. I expect a close game with Detroit taking game one and the UNDER.
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New York Yankees Betting Trends:
- NY Yankees are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees’s last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees’s last 5 games on the road
- NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road
Detroit Tigers Betting Trends:
- Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games at home
- Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
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