Game 111 Preview: Yankees vs. Tigers

Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees Key to Victory: Patience and Power

The Yankees need to work the count and pounce on fastballs.  When facing a top flight pitcher like Max Scherzer it is always a good idea to face him for the shortest length of time possible.  The Yankees will need to make Scherzer work and try to limit him to only five or six innings tonight.  The Detroit bullpen has been their Achilles heel for most of the season, although it has been strong lately.  Still, the Yankees are probably better off taking their chances with the likes of Joe Nathan, Phil Coke and Joba Chamberlain rather than the reigning AL Cy Young.

The Yankees will need to work the count against Scherzer and be ready to pounce on his fastball.  While Scherzer can occasionally crank his speedball up to about 97, it is more consistently int he low to mid 90s, which can be a hittable pitch.  The key for the hitters will be distinguishing the fastball from the slider and changeup which can be downright nasty, but oftentimes are thrown outside the zone.  The Yankee patience at the plate seemingly come and gone this season but tonight will be a night where fouling off pitches and working the count will be very beneficial to the team over the course of the game.