Detroit Tigers: Three Things to Know for Home Opener

Zimmermann vs the New York Yankees

Coming from the National League and a long stint with the Washington Nationals, Jordan Zimmermann hasn’t faced the Yankees too much in his career.

That being said, the former National has some success in two starts versus the Bronx Bombers.

In those starts, Zimmermann hasn’t lost, and pitched to a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings. What’s more, he also struck out batters while limiting New York to a .208 batting average and a .264 on-base percentage.

While the starting pitcher has only faced the Yankees twice, he’s matched up with a number of the team’s players in years past. Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, Starlin Castro, Didi Gregorious and Chase Headley all spent considerable time in the National League. As such, they have more experience against Zimmermann than Brett Gardner or Aaron Hicks, both of whom have played exclusively the American League.

The new Tiger has not faced starters Alex Rodriguez or JaCoby Ellsbury. Additionally, backup catcher Austin Romine and reserve infielder Ronald Torreyes haven’t hit against Zimmermann. However, he’s pitched against the majority of the team.

Utility infielder Dustin Ackley 2-for-3 with a triple, while Gregorious is 3-for-8 with a home run and two RBI and Brett Gardner is 1-fo-3. After those two, the batting average tends to drop off.

Former Atlanta catcher Brian McCann is 3-for-12 with two RBI and four strikeouts. Ex New York slugger Carlos Beltran is 5-for-20 with three doubles and two RBI. New Yankees shortstop Starlin Castro is 5-for 25 with a double, a triple, a RBI and three strikeouts.

Third baseman Chase Headley is 4-for-22 with eight punch outs.

Rounding out the list are Aaron Hicks and Mark Teixeira. Hicks is 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Teixeira is also hitless, checking in at 0-for-6 with three strikeouts.