Yankees vs. Tigers preview

It’s pocket-aces Tuesday night in the Bronx as CC Sabathia (15-5, 3.14) and Justin Verlander (13-7, 3.72) face off for the second time this season.

The Tigers blanked the Yankees, 6-0, in the first matchup between Sabathia and Verlander, with Sabathia exiting after six innings and giving up six runs on nine hits. Sabathia will look to halt the Yankees' two-game skid after Monday night’s 3-1 loss.

Verlander did not have his best stuff the last time out against the Yankees – walking four and striking out four in 6 2/3 innings – but he is 4-2 lifetime against New York with a 3.62 ERA.

Sabathia has conversely struggled against Detroit. Having spent eight years with the Cleveland Indians, Sabathia is 14-11 with a 4.65 ERA versus the Tigers.

Verlander stopped a Tigers' skid in its tracks with a solid outing versus the Rays last Wednesday in Detroit, but more important was his ability to find a middle ground between commanding his fastball and controlling his offspeed stuff.

Sabathia nearly went the distance in his last start,, allowing three runs and finishing one out shy of a complete game in a win over the Royals. He’s gone at least eight innings in back-to-back outings, and he's won seven of his past 10 starts.