Alfredo Simon (2-0, 2.02 ERA) and CC Sabathia (0-2, 5.68 ERA) start in the first of a four-game series between the Detroit Tigers (10-2) and the New York Yankees (6-6) at Comerica Park. Action begins at 7:08 p.m. ET on Monday, Apr. 20 and can be seen on YES, FSN-DET and ESPN.
Simon is 0-3 with a 5.25 ERA in his appearances against the Yankees, but goes up against a below-average New York offense which is batting just .236 this season. Miguel Cabrera (.426, 7 Rs, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Sabathia is 19-12 with a 4.29 ERA when pitching against the Tigers. He takes on a good Detroit offense which is hitting .305 this season. Alex Rodriguez (.316, 10 Rs, 4 HRs, 11 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with two runs.
Detroit is a -134 favorite against New York and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Tigers have recorded an overall money line of +734 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 5-1. The Tigers have no trouble scoring as they rank fifth in the AL in offense with 5.4 runs per game. The Tigers are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits with an impressive 10.6 per game. Detroit leads the MLB in steals, swiping 13 bases. Turning to the pitchers, the Tigers are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.00 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, New York has a 3-3 record and an overall money line of -153. The Yankees can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking second in the league with 17 home runs.
Simon (RHP) will be on the hill against the Yankees, who have a 4-4 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – DET, O/U – Over
Notes
The Yankees are 0-1 when they go into extra innings.
The Yankees are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Tigers have a 4-2 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
Neither the Tigers (10-0) nor the Yankees (3-0) have lost a game when they outhit opponents.
Both falling in the top five of the league based on total runs this season, Detroit ranks second with 68 runs and New York is fifth with 64.
Ranking seventh, Detroit is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 43 this season. New York ranks in the top five at third with 49.
When the Tigers hit at least one home run, they are 8-2. When the Yankees hit at least one homer, they have a 4-5 record.
