New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers Pick & Prediction APRIL 9th 2025
Preview and Prediction
Considering all the rotation injuries they've faced, the New York Yankees require Max Fried to have a successful season. His most recent performance gave a glimpse of his potential every fifth game. Fried held Pittsburgh to only one run in 5 2/3 innings on Friday. He will aim to replicate that start against the surging Detroit Tigers in the finale of their three-game series on Wednesday afternoon. The Tigers are currently on a five-game winning streak, including a 5-0 shutout against the Yankees on Tuesday. Fried signed a lucrative eight-year, $218 million contract as a free agent in December. With ace Gerrit Cole out for the season and Luis Gil sidelined for a significant portion of the year, Fried will need to lead the starting staff. His Yankees debut against Milwaukee on March 29 did not go as planned. He surrendered six runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, although only two of the runs were earned. However, his performance against the Pirates, which included six strikeouts, was more in line with his expectations. "I felt like it was more my style of play," Fried stated. "I was able to execute my pitches. My fastball down and in was particularly effective (on Friday). When I can throw that pitch inside, it opens up everything else." Fried (1-0) did not receive a decision in his first start against the Brewers, as his teammates scored 20 runs. The Yankees ultimately won the game 9-4. "The run support takes some pressure off of me, allowing me to be more aggressive and attack hitters," Fried explained. "When they're swinging the bats well, my job is to get back to the dugout as quickly as possible." Fried has only faced the Tigers once in his career, holding them to one run in 5 1/3 innings last June. Jack Flaherty (1-0) will make his third start of the season for Detroit. His last outing was similar to Fried's second start, as he limited the Chicago White Sox to one run and three hits in 5 2/3 innings on Friday. Flaherty also recorded seven strikeouts in the Tigers' home opener. Flaherty re-signed with the Tigers after being traded last season to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he earned a World Series ring. "It was great to be back here," Flaherty said. "The fans showed up and it was awesome. The pregame introductions gave me goosebumps. It was great to be back on this side." Flaherty has only faced the Yankees once in the regular season, throwing six scoreless innings in July 2023. He also faced them twice in the World Series last fall, holding them to two runs in 5 1/3 innings in Game 1. However, he struggled in Game 5, giving up four runs, including two home runs, in just four outs. Aaron Judge hit one of those home runs, but he has gone the last four games without a long ball after hitting six in the first seven games. Detroit has hit five home runs in the series, including four in Tuesday's game. "It was satisfying to see our guys hit the ball to the pull side," manager A.J. Hinch said.
New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers Recap APR 9TH 2025
Ben Rice hit a two-run homer, Max Fried struck out 11 and the New York Yankees salvaged the finale of a three-game series by holding off the host Detroit Tigers, 4-3, on Wednesday afternoon.
Fried (2-0) allowed five hits and didn't issue a walk in seven dominant innings. Mark Leiter Jr. recorded his first save of the season after Detroit staged a three-run rally in the ninth.
Aaron Judge added a two-run single.
Zach McKinstry had two hits and two RBIs for the Tigers. Detroit starter Jack Flaherty struck out nine in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed three hits and three walks. Tyler Holton (1-1) took the loss.
In the sixth with the game still scoreless, Judge drew a leadoff walk and Paul Goldschmidt doubled to left to put runners in scoring position. Holton replaced Flaherty and tagged Judge after snaring a one-hop comebacker from Jazz Chisholm. Holton then struck out Anthony Volpe to snuff out the threat.
After Holton got the first two batters in the seventh, the Yankees broke through. Oswaldo Cabrera lined a single to left before Rice ripped a sinker over the right-center field wall.
Dillon Dingler led off the bottom of the frame with a double but didn't advance.
Justyn-Henry Malloy had a one-out single against Yankees reliever Luke Weaver in the eighth. Weaver then set down pinch-hitter Kerry Carpenter on a fly ball and Riley Greene with a strikeout.
Detroit reliever John Brebbia hit two players with pitches in the ninth. Second baseman Colt Keith then booted a Rice grounder, loading the bases. Judge ripped a single to left to score two runs. Cody Bellinger walked to load the bases again, but a double play and strikeout kept the score at 4-0.
Detroit's rally began when Spencer Torkelson drew a leadoff walk against Devin Williams. After Williams struck out the next two batters, Javier Baez singled and Trey Sweeney walked to load the bases.
A wild pitch brought in Torkelson, and McKinstry's single made it 4-3. McKinstry advanced to second on the throw. Leiter then replaced Williams and induced Malloy to pop out.