MLB

Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees

Saturday 1st October, 1.37am

ESPN America

Starting Pitchers

Detroit: Verlander (24-5, 2.40 ERA)

New York: Sabathia (19-8, 3.00 ERA)

Teasing out who’ll come out on top with two pitchers as accomplished as this on the mound, is a difficult one. Both have been outstanding during the regular season (with Verlander just shading it) and both have had problems against tonight’s opposition.

Each manager has spoken about the fact that momentum is irrelevant, because everyone is effectively starting again, but I’m not so convinced. The Tigers have had a better September than the Yankees, who seem to have had a problem since clinching the AL East. The personnel and rotations were tweaked (quite properly, as Girardi prepared for the post-season) but there seemed a lack of cohesion.

Detroit finished strong, going 7-3 L10 and I get the sense they have what momentum there is in this game.

Looking at the pitchers’ numbers against the lineups, Verlander’s are marginally better (.237/.335/.384 AVG/OBP/SLG -vs- .250/.311/.413) and his recent numbers are stronger. Worryingly for the Yankees, Sabathia may be walking too many at present.

On balance, I’m going to favour Detroit at the price.

Pick: Tigers @ 2.2; 120; 6/5