Tigers starters set postseason record for consecutive scoreless innings

Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Doug Fister and Anibal Sanchez pitched 30 and 1/3 innings before allowing a run, setting a postseason record.

Delmon Young extends Tigers' postseason home run record

Delmon Young's fourth inning home run extended his franchise postseason home run record to seven

Miguel Cabrera sets Tigers postseason record for consecutive games of reaching base safely

Miguel Cabrera has a set a new franchise record by reaching base safely in 19 consecutive games

Yankees vs. Tigers, 2012 ALCS Game 3: Coke, Young unlikely heroes for Detroit

Phil Coke and Delmon Young have been unlikely heroes for the Tigers in the 2012 postseason.

Omar Infante injury not serious after jammed thumb

Tigers second baseman Omar Infante jammed his thumb while diving for a ball in the ninth inning of the Tigers' 2-1 win on Tuesday night, but should be able to play on Wednesday.

Yankees vs. Tigers, 2012 ALCS Game 3: New York misses rare opportunity against Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander was not at his sharpest on Tuesday night, which makes Detroit's win all the more regrettable for Yankees fans.

Yankees vs. Tigers final score: Detroit takes 3-0 series lead with victory

Justin Verlander threw a gem en route to a 2-1 Tigers victory.

Yankees vs. Tigers score: Tigers jump out to 2-0 lead

The Detroit Tigers put up single runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, giving them a 2-0 lead over the New York Yankees through six innings. That first run came on a solo homer by Delmon Young, who brought his franchise record for total postseason homers to seven. The second run came on a double by Miguel Cabrera, who brought home Quintin Berry.

After Young's home run, Yankees starter Phil Hughes walked Andy Dirks and was removed from the game with what is being called a stiff back. He was replaced by David Phelps, who surrendered the second run of the game, though it was unearned. The Yankees have used a total of five pitchers so far in the game, with Boone Logan inducing a crucial double play from Cabrera with bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander, meanwhile, is cruising right along. The reigning Cy Young winner has allowed just one hit through six innings, while striking out two batters and walking none.

Phil Hughes leaves Game 3 with injury

The Yankees starter left Game 3 in the fourth inning with a herniated lumbar disc.

Yankees vs. Tigers score: Detroit, New York in scoreless tie after three

The Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees both were unable to put a run on the board in the first three innings of Game 3 on Tuesday night at Comerica Park. The Yankees, in fact, are currently being no-hit by Tigers ace Justin Verlander.

Through his three innings, Verlander has been perfect. He's struck out two but has not allowed a walk. Yankees starter Phil Hughes has been just about as good, allowing two hits and two walks but no runs. Those Tigers hits, though, have been scattered. Quintin Berry singled and Prince Fielder walked in the second, but neither reached third base.

In the third, Austin Jackson singled and advanced to second on a bunt by Berry. He moved to third on a passed ball but was stranded there when Fielder lined out to center.

The Yankees, of course, find themselves with their backs against the wall, down 2-0 in the series.

Tigers vs. Yankees lineups: Alex Rodriguez, Nick Swisher not starting Game 3

Down by two games in the series, New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi is hoping to switch things up with a new lineup on Tuesday night for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

Girardi has decided to bench struggling hitters Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher against Detroit's Justin Verlander on Tuesday, and will instead feature a left-handed-heavy lineup from top to bottom. Though Rodriguez picked up one of his team's four hits in Game 2 and has three career home runs and a .333 average against Verlander, Girardi will instead give the start at third base to veteran Eric Chavez.

Playing for the injured Derek Jeter at shortstop in Game 3 will be Eduardo Nunez, who has yet to record an at-bat in the series. Nunez hit .292 with one home run and 11 RBI in a brief 38-game stint with the Yankees this season, and is known for both his defensive range and speed on the bases.

Here are the starting lineups for Game 3 of the ALCS:

Tigers
1. Austin Jackson (R) CF
2. Quintin Berry (L) LF
3. Miguel Cabrera (R) 3B
4. Prince Fielder (L) 1B
5. Delmon Young (R) DH
6. Andy Dirks (L) RF
7. Jhonny Peralta (R) SS
8. Alex Avila (L) C
9. Omar Infante (R) 2B
Justin Verlander (R) SP

Yankees
1. Brett Gardner (L) LF
2. Ichiro Suzuki (L) RF
3. Mark Teixeira (S) 1B
4. Robinson Cano (L) 2B
5. Raul Ibanez (L) DH
6. Russell Martin (R) C
7. Eric Chavez (L) 3B
8. Curtis Granderson (L) CF
9. Eduardo Nunez (R) SS
Phil Hughes (R) SP

Jim Leyland not ruling out Jose Valverde as a possible closer in Game 3 of ALCS

Even though Detroit Tigers pitcher Jose Valverde was shelled in each of his last two postseason appearances, manager Jim Leyland did not completely rule out using his struggling reliever as a closer in Game 3 against the Yankees on Tuesday night.

Leyland acknowledged that getting the lead itself is enough of an issue, but told MLive.com's Chris Iott that he will have a handful of different plans based on the situation for a possible closer, and that Valverde is definitely going to be in the mix.

"I'm going to wait and see how things play out," Leyland said. "It could happen. I hope we've got to worry about it. But I'll wait and see how it plays out, what the lineup looks like, who they've got coming up."

The 34-year-old Valverde gave up three earned runs on four hits against the Athletics on Oct. 10, and then imploded for four more runs against the Yankees in Game 1. Leyland used lefty specialist Phil Coke for a full two innings to close out Game 2 with relative ease, but will have a handful of options to turn to in a possible save situation on Tuesday night.

Though it seems unlikely that Valverde would enter or remain on the mound with a game-tying run at the plate in fear of a home run, the Tigers may not have a choice if Tuesday's meeting once again bleeds into extra innings. It could be a great thing for Valverde to hit the mound and start throwing strikes again, but it's hard to believe that both Coke and fellow reliever Joaquin Benoit aren't better ninth-inning options at this point.

Tigers vs. Yankees: Detroit keeps same lineup for Game 3

The Detroit Tigers will keep the same lineup they used in Game 2 as they try to take a 3-0 lead on the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

Tigers vs. Yankees: Justin Verlander wants to be associated with playoff legends

Justin Verlander wants to be associated with playoff legends - like Jack Morris, who will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in Game 3.

ALCS 2012: Jeff Daniels will sing 'God Bless America' during Game 3

Actor Jeff Daniels will sing "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch of Game 3 of the ALCS.

Yankees vs. Tigers, 2012 ALCS Game 3: Game time, TV schedule, starting pitchers and more

The Tigers have a 2-0 lead in the ALCS and will start ace Justin Verlander in Game 3 against the Yankees.