Game 38: Yankees (18-19) at Tigers (16-21)

Darrell Rasner (1-0, 3.00) vs. Jeremy Bonderman (2-3, 4.17)

After essentially punting last night's game by starting Kei Igawa, the Yankees send another recently called-up minor leaguer to the pitching mound against the Tigers this afternoon for a national TV audience.  Darrell Rasner, however, probably won't be pitching batting practice like Igawa did.  In his first start with the big league club last week, Rasner allowed two runs in six innings to the Seattle Mariners.  For what it's worth, he faced the Tigers for 1 2/3 innings back in 2006, giving up just one hit.

Jeremy Bonderman looks to be falling into one of those good start-bad start patterns, which would mean he's due for a good performance today.  I suppose Bondo's last outing would've gone well if he hadn't served up home run balls to Kevin Youkilis (Tiger Killer!) and Mike Lowell, but he did and ended up with a loss.  Last week in the Bronx against these same Yankees, Bondo pitched his best game of the season, allowing just two runs in 7 2/3 innings.

Playing on national TV hasn't worked out so well for the Tigers recently, so I don't know if it's exciting to have them on FOX today.  But this is the marquee game today, going out to 54% of the country.  No Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, but no Thom Brennaman and Jose Mota, either.  We'll have Dick Stockton and Eric Karros on the call, whom you can hear once you take out the earplugs you wore during the FOX pregame show with Jeanne Zelasko.  (Thanks, Awful Announcing!)

Placido Polanco is set to get the day off today, so I would assume that means Ramon Santiago will start at second base.  But since Jim Leyland loves playing Ryan Raburn, maybe we'll get to see him there instead.  His speed started off the scoring last night, after all.

For some Detroit solidarity, I'm waving the flag for Detroit Bad Boys and Need4Sheed , along with Behind the Jersey and SB Nation broham Winging It in Motown.  It's a big day for Detroit sports, as you can watch Tigers, then Pistons, and finally Red Wings.  And you'll still have time to do all your errands and yard work before it all the action starts.  May-pril in the D!  (Hat tip to Samela for that one.)