Yankees vs. Tigers Game Preview: Eovaldi's turn for a breakout performance?

The third time through the rotation has been fairly kind to Yankee pitchers that didn't see the results they would have liked in their first two starts. On Saturday night, Masahiro Tanaka shut down the Rays with seven shutout innings in which he allowed only two hits and no walks. Last night, in the opening game against the red-hot Tigers, CC Sabathia looked like his old dominant self, allowing two earned runs in eight innings in a tough loss. Tonight, Nathan Eovaldi and the Yanks are hoping he too can find his groove after posting a WHIP of 1.935 and failing to make it past 5.1 innings in his first two outings.

Going up against Eovaldi and the Yankees for Detroit will be Kyle Lobstein. Last week, the Tigers hoped tonight's game would see the season debut of Justin Verlander, However, after a 45-pitch bullpen that left his arm feeling sore and fatigued, Detroit had no choice but to go with the 25-year-old lefty again. Tonight will be Lobstein's first start since April 12 against Cleveland, where he picked up a win after allowing three earned runs on eight hits in five innings. The Yankees faced off against him in his second career start last August, when he held them to one run and four hits in six innings.

One would have to assume we'll see more offense tonight than we did in last night's pitching duel, and hopefully it mostly comes from the boys in grey. Carlos Betlran is out of the lineup in favor of Chris Young, and Gregorio Petit will get the start with Didi Gregorius on the bench. First pitch is slated for 7:08 PM ET, and will be televised on YES and MLBN.