2025-09-09 Tigers at Yankees Matchup Preview

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Detroit Tigers will send right-hander Casey Mize to the mound to face the New York Yankees on September 9th. Mize's repertoire features a fastball with good velocity, a sharp slider, and a changeup that has demonstrated effectiveness against left-handed hitters this season. He will be opposed by Yankees right-hander Will Warren. Warren features a fastball and a curveball with good movement, along with a changeup.

Tigers' Offensive Profile

The Detroit Tigers' offense has demonstrated a team weighted on-base average of 0.331 this season. The Tigers have accumulated a team Wins Above Replacement of 20.3. They have proven to be a capable offensive unit, but they will be facing a pitcher in Warren who has demonstrated good command this season. Given that Warren relies heavily on his curveball and changeup, the Tigers' hitters will need to demonstrate patience at the plate and avoid chasing pitches out of the strike zone. Their strategy should be to work the count and force Warren to throw fastballs in advantageous situations.

Yankees' Offensive Profile

The New York Yankees' offense has been potent throughout the 2025 season, accumulating a team weighted on-base average of 0.348. With a team Wins Above Replacement of 28.9, the Yankees have demonstrated the ability to generate runs. They are capable of stringing together hits and capitalizing on opponents' mistakes. The Yankees' hitters tend to show good plate discipline. They demonstrate the ability to work deep counts and force opposing pitchers to throw strikes, contributing to their offensive success. Against Mize, the Yankees will likely attempt to exploit his vulnerabilities by focusing on pitches in the lower part of the strike zone. With Mize's propensity to throw his slider, the Yankees hitters will need to be disciplined enough to lay off the slider and force Mize to throw his fastball to get ahead.

Pitching and Hitting Strategy

Mize will need to be precise with his fastball command. The Yankees have demonstrated the ability to capitalize on mistakes, and any errant fastballs will likely be punished. Mize's ability to effectively mix his pitches, especially his slider and changeup, will be crucial in keeping the Yankees' hitters off balance. Warren needs to keep the Tigers from getting comfortable at the plate. Utilizing the fastball on the inner half of the plate can help disrupt the hitter's timing and prevent them from settling into a rhythm. Warren's ability to locate the curveball for strikes will be a key factor in his success. If he can consistently throw the curveball in the strike zone, it will force the Tigers' hitters to respect the pitch and open up opportunities to exploit them with his fastball.

Intangibles

Both teams are in the thick of the playoff race, and this game carries significant weight in determining their postseason aspirations. The atmosphere at Yankee Stadium will be electric, with fans eager to cheer on their team and create a hostile environment for the visiting Tigers. The ability of both teams to remain composed under pressure will be tested, as the stakes are high and the margin for error is slim. Leadership from veteran players on both sides will be crucial in guiding their respective teams through the emotional highs and lows of the game.

Prediction

This game shapes up to be a tightly contested affair, with both starting pitchers capable of delivering quality outings. The Yankees' potent offense gives them a slight edge, but Mize's ability to limit damage and keep the Tigers in the game should not be underestimated. Ultimately, the outcome will likely hinge on which team can capitalize on scoring opportunities and execute in crucial situations. The Tigers' offense is capable, and they will grind out at-bats against Warren, ultimately getting to the Yankees' bullpen, where the Yankees have had trouble closing out games this season. The Tigers win a close one.