The Detroit Tigers have picked up victories in the last two games versus the New York Yankees heading into the series finale of a four-game set at Comerica Park

New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers

New York has matched season highs by dropping two straight games and two consecutive road games after Wednesday night’s 4-0 loss.  The Yankees were shut down by Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer over eight dominant innings in limiting them to just four hits.  “You have to give him some credit,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi.  “The guys said his ball was moving a lot, it was running a lot.”  Third baseman Alex Rodriguez is one player that is looking to improve offensively, batting .154 (8-for-52) in his last 14 games.  At 17-11 this season, New York owns the second-best record in the American League behind Cleveland (20-9).  The team is also 7-2 in series finales this season and 8-2 in day games.

Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett will be making his seventh start of the season today, posting a 4-1 record and 3.93 ERA.  The hard throwing right-hander is receiving 7.12 runs of support this season during his outings, while also not hitting a batter with a pitch this season, after leading the majors with 19 in 2010.  Burnett earned a 10-6 win versus Detroit on April 2, allowing three earned runs and five hits over five innings of work.  He has compiled a 2-1 record and 9.42 ERA in three career starts in Detroit.

Detroit recorded its second consecutive victory last night and will head off on a six-game road trip after today’s contest.  The Tigers appear to have snapped out of their offensive fun, as manager Jim Leyland shuffled around the lineup with the return of Victor Martinez, pounding out 10 hits Wednesday, which was one fewer than the previous night.  First baseman Miguel Cabrera continues to be a nightmare for the Yankees, hitting .500 with two homers and eight RBIs in six games this season, while hitting safely in 28 of his 29 games during his career against them.  Detroit is 7-9 in day games this season and 7-13 versus right-handers.

Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello is 1-2 with a 4.25 ERA in five starts this season, as he’s managed to strike out 23 batters and issue seven walks in 29.2 innings of work.  The right-hander has compiled a 15-9 record at Comerica Park since joining the rotation in 2009.  He is limiting right-handed batters to a .208 batting average, while lefties are hitting .366 against him.  Porcello has posted a 1-2 record and 6.89 ERA in three career starts versus the Yankees.

Bettors will likely back the Tigers due to their 5-0 record as a home underdog with Porcello on the hill, while the Yankees are 1-7 in Burnett’s last eight road starts.