Sabathia vs. Verlander: New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball Playoffs

The New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers American League Division Series is tied, 1-1, as both teams will be sending out their respective aces Monday night at Comerica Park.

New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are 40-15 in SP Justin Verlander's last 55 home starts

New York has compiled a 14-7 record in best-of-five postseason series since the 1976 season, but dropped a 5-3 contest in Game 2 to Detroit. The Yankees didn’t go down without a fight, scoring two runs in the final frame, but the rally was finally extinguished by Tigers closer Jose Valverde. “You think that something good is going to happen for us,” commented Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. “But Valverde, it’s hard enough to score a run off him, let alone four.” The Yankees are 22-27 all-time versus the Tigers at Comerica Park. New York is 63-50 versus right-handed starters this year and 40-26 after a loss.

Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia is 19-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 33 regular season starts this season had his first playoff outing halted by rain in the early portion of Game 1 in this series. The left-hander had allowed a home run in two innings and will face the Tigers Cy Young candidate for the second time in three nights. Sabathia registered an 11-5 record and 2.93 ERA in 17 road starts, surrendering just seven home runs in 120 innings. In 32 career starts versus the Tigers, he is 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA, including a 4-2 loss at tonight’s venue on May 3 (7 IP, 4 R).

Detroit has been here before against New York, winning Games 3 and 4 at Comerica in the 2006 ALDS, which will give the team confidence in also winning 16 of its last 20 home games. The Tigers are hoping that first baseman Miguel Cabrera can carry the club in the Motor City, as he’s batting .577 with four home runs and seven RBIs in his last six games at tonight’s venue. He led the AL with a .344 batting average during the 2011 season. Detroit is 31-22 versus left-handed starters and 50-32 at home.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander is 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA in 34 regular season starts and will be looking to continue his great success in front of the home faithful. The right-hander registered a 10-3 record and 2.37 ERA in 16 home starts, as opponents hit just .198 against him. In 10 career starts versus the Yankees, Verlander is 4-3 with a 3.97 ERA, including a 5-3 no-decision effort at Comerica Park on May 2. He allowed three runs and eight hits in six frames.

Bettors will likely back the Tigers due to their 40-15 record in Verlander’s last 55 home starts, while the Yankee are 1-4 in Sabathia’s last five road starts versus a team with a winning record.