Game 5 Preview

New York Yankees (1-3) vs. Detroit Tigers (2-2)

Time: 4:05 PM, Comerica Park (FOX, Tigers Radio Network)

Pitching Matchup: Phil Hughes ( 16-16, 4.23 ERA in 2012, Activated off DL 4/6)
                                       vs.
                                 Max Scherzer (16-7, 3.74 ERA in 2012)

     Big righty Phil Hughes will be on the mound for the Yankees Saturday, replacing David Phelps in the rotation. Phelps was originally slated to start today as Phil Hughes was on the Disabled List. The Yankees, however, have deemed Hughes fit to pitch and activated him on Saturday morning to make the afternoon start that originally was his when the Yankees broke camp. Hughes will likely be on a lower pitch count as he is fresh off the DL, so we will probably see Phelps as well.  Tigers hitters haven't had a whole lot of trouble with Hughes in the past, so that may be a break for the club in getting to face him. We shall see.

     Max Scherzer is the man Jim Leyland will hand entrust the ball do from the beginning on Saturday. Scherzer had a mediocre spring, but definitely was peaking towards the end. Scherzer will be featuring his mid to high 90s fastball and his wipeout slider. His third pitch is a changeup that can get him a ground ball when he needs one. Scherzer has had a lot of success against the Yankees in the past which boasted much stronger lineups, so look for that trend to continue tomorrow.

Outlook:

     It will likely take the Tigers a time through the order to get used to Phelps who will have an expanded arsenal as he is now a starter. Don't fret if the Tigers don't score in the first inning for the first time this season. The game tomorrow will be on the big network, FOX at 4:05 PM. The temperature is supposed to be in the upper 50s and maybe even reach 60, however rain may make an appearance. With the temperature increasing, we can expect the ball to fly a little more so hopefully the bats will wake up.

     This game is the kind where the Tigers tend to struggle. They haven't really had much success against pitchers they haven't seen before, and David Phelps is a new starter for this team to face. I see Max pitching defense, but the lineup may have trouble giving him support. My prediction is that the Yankees take game two tomorrow as they are needing a win in the worst way right now. It may be April, but a win is worth the same now as it is in September, so don't be surprised to see Joe Girardi's troops come out with some intensity tomorrow and an extra level of focus.