Previewing The Yankees And The Tigers

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2

A familiar foe returns to Yankee Stadium, but this time in a new uniform. Former Cy Young winner David Price, who was recently acquired right at the end of the July 31st non-waiver trading deadline, makes his Tigers debut against a former division foe, the Yankees. In 24 career starts against the Bronx Bombers, the former Tampa Bay Rays’ ace is 10-5, with a 3.66 ERA. He’s also pretty solid against the Yankees at the Stadium, posting a 3.57 ERA and six victories in 12 career starts in the Bronx.

A pair of Yankees have had decent success against Price. The Captain, Derek Jeter, in 59 career at-bats, has 18 career knocks–including hit #3000, which was a home run at Yankee Stadium. Jeter is slugging .846 against Price. Jacoby Ellsbury is the other Bomber with an extended history against Price. The former Red Sox outfielder in 43 at-bats has a home run, a pair of doubles, and a triple. Newest Yankee, Stephen Drew, hasn’t been as fortunate, and is 0-for-10 in his career against the lefty.

Toeing the rubber for the Yankees in Game 2, is righty Hiroki Kuroda. The 40-year-old, of all people, is the last man standing from the original starting rotation coming into the 2014 campaign. While Kuroda hasn’t been lights-out, he has been pitching much better after a horrendous first six weeks to the season. He currently sits at 7-7, with a 3.98 ERA. He’s been the victim of several Yankees’ lineup clunkers this season, including his last outing. Against the Rangers, he went 7 innings, allowing only 3 earned runs, and the Yankees’ lineup was nowhere to be found in the loss.

Tigers’ outfielder Rajai Davis of all people, has seen the most success against the Yankees’ Game 2 starter. He’s 5-for-16 in his career, with a home run and a double. AL MVP Miguel Cabrera is 4-for-9 career, while Victor Martinez, who is having career season, has never recorded a hit against Kuroda.