The Yankees will look to complete an opening series sweep of the Tigers today as the two teams square off in the final game of their three game set in the Bronx. This afternoon's contest is scheduled to get underway at 1:05pm ET at Yankee Stadium. MLB Odds and Predictions have New York listed as a -165 moneyline favorite and the Over/Under set at 9.5.
The Yankees trademark bats cranked out just five hits on opening day, but they were still able to beat Justin Verlander and
the Tigers 6-3. Game two featured an offensive breakthrough as New York scored 10 runs on 12 hits for a 10-6 victory.
First baseman Mark Teixeira led the team with three RBI after going 4-for-2 at the dish, but several Yankees joined in the beating as Derek Jeter, Brett Gardner, Alex Rodriguez, and Robinson Cano all finished with a multi-hit game.
New York will attempt to keep the offensive heat on today as it faces three year veteran Max Scherzer. Scherzer, who is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in one career outing against the Yanks, closed out last season in wonderful fashion, posting a combined ERA of 2.25 in the months July, August, and September. However, that success did not carry over to Spring Training.
Scherzer went 1-3 in exhibition play after giving up 25 hits and 20 earned runs in 17.1 innings pitched. Obviously, he is hoping for better success today against a lineup that has a collective .162 batting average against him.
New York, a +650 moneyline play in the latest 2011 World Series Picks, will counter the hard throwing right hander with one of its own in Phil Hughes. The 24 year old Hughes got off to a great start last season, allowing just 68 hits and 29 earned runs through 13 outings (82.1 innings pitched). The Yankees tallied a 11-2 record in those appearances, but the wheels came off for Hughes in the second half of the season as he finished up with a 4.19 ERA.
Hughes is 4-2 in seven career appearances against the Tigers with a 3.69 ERA. His last start against Detroit took place in August of 2010 when he gave up four hits and two earned runs over six innings of work. The Yankees, which played host in the affair, came away with an 11-5 win.
Tigers vs Yankees 2011 MLB Predictions:
Detroit Tigers +1.5 (-140), Over 9.5 (-105), +145 (Moneyline)
New York Yankees -1.5 (+120), Under 9.5 (-115), -165 (Moneyline)
