The Detroit Tigers meet the New York Yankees on Friday. Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez plays for the first time this year at Yankee Stadium and could face a hostile home crowd. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream HERE.
Rodriguez is once again the storyline as New York hosts Detroit. Rehabbing from hip surgery has kept the 38-year-old sidelined for most of the season, and his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) has kept him in the headlines. The biggest question ahead of Friday night's game is whether the New York home crowd will boo Rodriguez in his return to Yankee Stadium.
The beleaguered slugger, who is appealing season-and-a-half suspension for alleged PED use, doesn't appear worried about a possible booing from the fans.
"I'm looking forward to getting back home," Rodriguez told NY Daily News after Wednesday's loss to the White Sox. "I've been waiting a long time for this day. I'm just privileged to come home on a Friday night against a tough opponent. I'm just really excited."
Yankees manager Joe Girardi is uncertain how New York fans will react to Rodriguez.
"I am curious what it's going to be like Friday; I'm not sure," Girardi told The News. "And I don't really know what the appropriate response is. I don't think it's my right to tell people how to respond to certain situations. I think people are going to react the way they're going to react. We'll just see on Friday."
Ivan Nova is slated to start for the Yankees (57-56) on Friday, the Associated Press reported. He's 5-4 with a 3.08 ERA and has posted just a 1.66 ERA in his five starts since rejoining the Yankees' pitching rotation earlier in July. His last start, on Saturday against the San Diego Padres, saw him allow four this in seven scoreless innings. New York won, 3-0.
Detroit (68-45) looks to continue its fantastic season. Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.28 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for the Tigers. He's posted a 1.87 ERA in his last five starts, all of which were wins. He gave up a solo homer and seven hits to the White Sox on Sunday, helping the Tigers to a 3-2 win.
