Runs are in order today. Lots of runs.
Starting for the Yankees this afternoon is Freddy Garcia, a pitcher with a low strikeout rate, an unimpressive walk rate, and who has had a second half that has seen the fortune of earlier work erode into the sea. Fortunately for Garcia, his propensity to get hitters to swing at sub-optimal pitches plays well against a Tigers team with a middling walk rate, and a few key free swingers. Should the Tigers see fit to put men on base before Miguel Cabrera, it could nonetheless be quite ugly. More so than possibly any other game this series, the Yankees' bullpen depth could be tested early.
On the other side is Max Scherzer, whom despite possessing a completely different arsenal, carries similar statistical traits with two outsized exceptions. For one, Scherzer has the stuff to make people swing and miss, with a K rate of 8.03 per 9 on the season. Unfortunately (or quite fortunately,) this also is pared with a high home run rate, despite pitching half his games in Comerica Park, and his schedule composed roughly 50% of games against the meek AL Central. Facing the Yankees in Yankee Stadium may well be a very rough order for Mr. Scherzer this afternoon.
With the Yankees completely prepared to possibly go five strong innings out of the bullpen if necessary today, they come into this game in a good position to capitalize should they run into a few of Scherzer's pitches. Should FredGar collapse and Scherzer be hard to square up; it could be a long day indeed.
Edited by Meff Nelton, 01 October 2011 - 11:13 PM.
