Yanks Go Yard Radio Show Rewind: Tigers-Yankees Preview (6/19-6/21)

On last night’s episode of the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show, brought to you by KNODA.com, I started off the show by talking about the New York Yankees (36-30) splitting their four game series with the Miami Marlins. The highlights of the series were good outings by Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda. Pineda, however, was the only pitcher out of the two who got a win in his outing.

Of course, the major storyline around the Bronx Bombers right now is designated hitter Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod, who went 4-for-6 with two RBI’s and three walks in the two games at Yankee Stadium against the Marlins, is at 2,999 hits for his career. Tonight, he takes on Justin Verlander, a pitcher who he is 10-for-24 against with four home runs and nine RBI’s in his career.

Even though New York was only able to get a split against Miami, they are still within one game of the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. This weekend, the Yankees will take on the Detroit Tigers (34-32) with Saturday’s game being Old Timer’s Day. During those festivities, former New York second baseman and third base/bench coach Willie Randolph will be getting a plaque in Monument Park.

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As for the Tigers, they have not gotten off to a great start in the very competitive AL Central. Coming into tonight’s game, Detroit is 5.5 games behind the Kansas City Royals in the AL Central. After going 15-8 in the first month of the season, the Tigers are 19-24 in their last 43 games.

That being said, they are getting one of the key pieces in their lineup back tonight. Designated hitter Victor Martinez will be batting cleanup in his first game back since May 18 after having inflammation in his left knee. In 35 games this season, the 36-year-old is hitting .216 with one home run and 15 RBI’s.

This season, the Tigers are eighth in the American League in runs scored and have the fourth fewest home runs in the AL. Nevertheless, Miguel Cabrera is still having a great season. The first baseman is hitting .342 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI’s. In the month of June, he is hitting .373 with four home runs and 17 RBI’s.

Detroit’s pitching staff has been inconsistent at times this season. Shane Greene got off to a good start, but the former Yankee is now at triple-A Toledo after having a 5.82 ERA in 13 starts this season. As a whole, the Tigers are tied for sixth in starter’s ERA (3.94). That’s thanks to David Price and Alfredo Simon, who have 13 of Detroit’s 25 wins by starting pitchers.

Even with Joe Nathan out due to Tommy John Surgery, the Tigers are sixth in the AL in bullpen ERA at 3.36, but closer Joakim Soria is struggling as of late. While he has 16 saves in 18 chances this year, he has a 8.31 ERA in five games this month.

To talk more about the Tigers, I spoke with Matt Pelc, the co-editor of Motor City Bengals about Detroit’s struggles this season and what needs Detroit has to address between now and the trade deadline. Here are some of the other topics we discussed:

• Impact of Victor Martinez returning to the lineup
• Is Detroit’s starting pitching the reason for their early season struggles?
• Sorting out Shane Greene’s bad start to the 2015 season
• Pitching Matchup Breakdown
• Justin Verlander (tonight’s Tigers starter) had some of his velocity back in his first start of the year vs. Cleveland
• Is Adam Warren (tonight’s Yankees starter) not finishing five innings in his last start a cause for concern?
• Alfredo Simon (Saturday’s Tigers starter) has been a nice surprise in the Detroit rotation
• Why Nathan Eovaldi (Saturday’s Yankees starter) should head to the bullpen when Ivan Nova comes back
• Anibal Sanchez (Sunday’s Tigers starter) has not given up a run in his last 16.2 innings
• Masahiro Tanaka (Sunday’s Yankees starter) has given up two earned runs or fewer in his last five starts
• Tigers Hitters To Watch: Martinez and Miguel Cabrera
• Yankees Hitters To Watch: Alex Rodriguez and Chase Headley
• Will the Tigers go after Cole Hamels or Johnny Cueto?

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More from Yanks Go Yard

• Michael Kay’s Anthony Volpe story will get Yankees fans amped for Opening Day
• No, Yankees should not acquire Trevor Bauer for 2023
• Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step
• Blue Jays overpaying for Yankees trade target shows they’re trying too hard
• Aaron Judge’s influence on Carlos Rodón shows he’s more powerful than Yankees

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