ALCS Game 4 Predictions 2012: New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers

The New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers will face off in Game 4 of the 2012 American League Championship Series on Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:07 ET on TBS

New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers SP Max Scherzer has been fantastic since the All-Star break

New York is just one loss away from being eliminated from the 2012 MLB postseason, as the team got a chance to rest after Wednesday night’s rainout. “We haven’t played well to this point,” stated Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson. “Change is always a good thing.” The Yankees know firsthand that a 3-0 deficit can be overcome in this situation, as they dropped the 2004 ALCS to the Boston Red Sox after leading by that exact margin. New York is 13-4 when playing with a day off this season.

Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (15-6, 3.38 ERA) has led the club to victory in his two playoff starts this year, including a 3-1 road win over the Baltimore Orioles on Oct. 7, allowing two runs and eight hits over 8.2 innings. The left-hander went 8-2 with a 4.02 ERA in 15 regular-season outings away from home, with opposing hitters batting .272 against him. Sabathia is undefeated over his last eight postseason outings, tallying a 4-0 record and 3.97 ERA.

Detroit is focused on picking up a sweep of this best-of-seven series, as it would love to rest up before facing either the San Francisco Giants or St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera is still the player to watch offensively, as he’s hit safely in all 16 games he has played in LCS action, while also reaching base in 19 postseason games against the Yankees during his time in the Motor City. Detroit is 6-4 as a home underdog of +100 to +125.

Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (16-7, 3.74 ERA) didn’t earn a decision in a 4-3 road loss to the Oakland Athletics in the ALDS, giving up a single run (zero earned) and three hits over 5.1 frames. The right-hander finished the regular season in strong fashion, posting an 8-2 record and 2.69 ERA in 15 starts following the Midsummer Classic. In four lifetime starts versus the Yankees, Scherzer has tallied a 3-1 record and 3.42 ERA.