The Cy Young gauntlet comes to an end with Justin Verlander (10-9, 4.66 ERA) up against Chris Capuano (0-1, 4.38 ERA). Capuano will be making his third start for the Yankees, who have lost both of his outings so far. Capuano gave up four runs and eight hits over 6 1/3 innings last time out against Boston. “After that, I felt like I found my release point and started to make better pitches,” Capuano said. “I want to take what I did the last three innings and start out from the get go against Detroit.”
Yankee Stadium has been unkind to Verlander, who has given up seven home runs over 31 innings in five career outings, including a pair in each of his last two visits. In his last start against the Rockies he gave up two runs off eight hits. He’s allowed more than four runs in a start only once since the middle of June. “I think pitching is constant tinkering,” Verlander said. “You’re always working on things. This year, I made more drastic adjustments than I would have liked, but I feel like I’m heading in the right direction and will continue working on what I’ve been working on, and go out there and continue to pitch the way I did against the Rockies.”
Lefty reliever Matt Thornton was claimed off waivers by the Nationals. To fill the roster spot, the Bombers signed left hander Rich Hill to a big league contract. “This is about giving us some flexibility in the near term because of what’s going on in our starting rotation with injuries, and in the long term as we enter next year with a lot of the choices we feel are starting to knock on the door,” Brian Cashman said.
Former A’s closer Jim Johnson will join the Tigers’ pen Wednesday to throw for pitching coach Jeff Jones and then will report to Triple-A Toledo. According to Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski, the assignment is not a permanent one. “We’re not signing him to go to Triple-A,” Dombrowski said Tuesday. “We’re hopeful that he’ll be able to help us here at some point.”
Notes on the game
Capuano has yet to give up a homer in pinstripes.
Capuano is unbeaten in four appearances against the Tigers, but he has a 6.43 ERA.
The Tigers pitchers have thrown quality starts in 12 of their last 16 games.
First pitch at 7:05 pm on Yes.
