The Detroit Tigers look to complete a four-game sweep against the New York Yankees and advance to the 2012 World Series tonight in what would end up being one of the most embarrassing postseason series’ in the history of Yankee’ baseball.

New York has scored a total of five runs in the first three games as their offense continues to struggle. Derek Jeter is out with a broken ankle while both Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher were benched last night. The Yankees have lost so much confidence in Rodriguez that they decided against pinch-hitting him late in Game 3 against a struggling Jose Valverde.

Reports indicate that Joe Girardi plans on sitting Curtis Granderson (0-for-10 in the ALCS). Rodriguez, who has been rumored to be going to the Miami Marlins in a trade this upcoming offseason, has been benched once again. Meanwhile, Swisher will be back in the lineup after riding the pine last night.

Needless to say, Joe Girardi and company are just not happy with the performance of their “stars,” mainly A-Rod. I am not sure how much of a different Eric Chavez will make being inserted in the lineup as a replacement for Rodriguez though. He is 0-for-14 in the postseason with six strikeouts and is batting just .195 in 33 career playoff games. At the very least, Chavvy needs to be considered a defensive upgrade at third.

Let’s take a look at the pitching matchup here. 

Sabathia was the primary reason that the New York Yankees were able to pull out the divisional series against the Baltimore Orioles. He gave up just three earned in 17.2 innings in two starts against Baltimore. This is what you expect from an ace such as CC. That being said, he needs to win here just to keep the Yankees alive in the series. The pressure is definitely on the big lefty. 

Sabathia won all three of his starts against Detroit during the regular season, posting a 3.32 ERA in the process. He was 2-0 with a 3.95 ERA at Comerica. 

With all that success in mind, Sabathia has struggled a great deal against both Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabera in his career. They have gone a combined 14-for-39 (.359) with three homers and 15 RBIs against Sabathia. He needs that to change if the Yankees are going to have any shot at extending this series beyond tonight. 

Scherzer was second in the American League in strikeouts during the regular season, only behind his teammate and Game 3 winner Justin Verlander. The talented young pitcher struckout 106 in just 82 innings at home, winning 7-of-10 starts at Comerica. 

Scherzer did struggle in his only start against New York this season, giving up seven hits and three earned in just 4.2 innings in New York back in May. While that really isn't a representation of what will happen today, it is still worth mentioning. 

A case could be made that Girardi wasn't just making a point in sitting Rodriguez tonight. The former MVP has just one hit in 12 career at-bats against Scherzer. Meanwhile, the decision to bench Granderson probably has more to do with his recent struggles as the outfielder has the second-best batting average of any Yankee' against Scherzer, though it is only a pedestrian .267 mark. 

Prediction

I am really not liking this matchup for the Yankees offense. Just too many things working against them. That being said, if Sabathia can limit the middle of the Tigers order, New York could steal a win here in Detroit. 

In the end, I have the Tigers completing a four-game sweep and facing either the St. Louis Cardinals or San Francisco Giants in the World Series.