Preview: Yankees at Tigers

GAME: New York Yankees (2-2) at Detroit Tigers (3-0)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 10 – 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Detroit’s righty Justin Verlander took a no-decision Tuesday against the Marlins as he allowed three runs on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out five.

Verlander was cruising early as he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but Giancarlo Stanton touched him up for a two-run homer as part of a three-run sixth inning to end his night on a sour note. Still, there were lots of positives for Verlander, who drew 17 swinging strikes in his 98 pitches.

Verlander won’t be the only pitcher to serve up a home run to Stanton, and if he can harness the stuff he had for the first five innings this year, maybe we’ll see some more of the old Verlander again in 2016.

J.D. Martinez is one of the most underrated players in the game today. He is one of only nine players to accumulate 60 or more homers with an OPS of at least .890 over the last two seasons. His value may be even greater than it has been in the last two years if fellow big boppers in the Detroit lineup like Miguel Cabrera, Justin Upton and Victor Martinez have big years.

RHP Masahiro Tanaka will make his second start of the season and first road start tonight at Detroit. The 27-year-old is pitching on extended five days’ rest after taking a no-decision on Opening Day on Tuesday vs. Houston.

In 2015, Tanaka went 12-7 with a 3.51 ERA (154.0IP, 60ER) in 24 starts, becoming the sixth pitcher in Yankees history to win at least 12 games in both his first and second seasons in the Majors. He led AL pitchers (min. 150.0IP) with a 0.99 WHIP in 2015.

In the Yankees’ two wins this season, Yankees batters have hit .382 (29-for-76) with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 6HR, a .435 OBP and a .697 SLG%, outscoring opponents, 24-11. However, in the team’s two losses, they have hit .123 (7-for-57) with 1 double, 1HR, 3RBI, a .231 OBP and .193 SLG%, while being outscored, 9-3.

Mark Teixeira was 1-for-3 with 1B walk in Friday’s loss at Detroit. He hit a game-winning three-run HR (2), his second three-run homer in as many games, and was 2-for-4 with 2 runs on Thursday vs. Houston. It was his 193rd HR as a Yankee, surpassing Tino Martinez (192) for sole possession of 17th place on the team’s all-time list.

On the home stand, he was 4-for-11 with 4R, 2HR, 7RBI and 1BB in 3GS at 1B. He made his 13th career Opening Day roster, seventh with the Yankees (also 2009-12 and ‘14-15). Tex hit .140 (7-for-50) with 1HR and 4RBI in 20 spring training games.

 Tigers are 4-1 in Verlanders last 5 starts.

 Tigers are 4-1 in Verlanders last 5 starts on grass.

 Yankees are 3-9 in their last 12 overall.

 Yankees are 3-9 in their last 12 games on grass.

 Yankees are 0-5 in their last 5 road games.

 Yankees are 0-4 in their last 4 road games vs. a right-handed starter.

Selection: Detroit