Tigers Pounce on Yankees
2.48 percent. After simulating the rest of the season one million times, [thats the chances] Baseball Prospectus gave the New York Yankees to win the AL East division after losing two out of three games to the Detroit Tigers this weekend and after the Red Sox swept the White Sox. 2.48 percent.
The [Yankees fell 5-4] to Detroit yesterday afternoon, ensuring thatat bestthe Yankees can salvage a split series with the Tigers following [tonights finale](http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=270827106); not exactly good enough considering [their current ranking in the standings](http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/standings). The loss dropped the Pinstripers seven-and-a-half games behind Boston in the division and two full games behind Seattle in the Wild Card race, a precarious position with only 32 games remaining on their schedule.
Much-heralded rookie Phil Hughes (2-2, pictured) got pummeled for five runs in six innings, surrendering three home runs to the Tiger offense. Robinson Cano attempted to keep the Yanks close with a three-run homer in the fourth to cut the deficit to 5-4, but New York failed to muster anymore offense. With Mike Mussina on the mound tonight, whos been battered like a piñata in his last two starts, and a three-game series against the Red Sox beginning tomorrow, the Yankees playoff hopes are [sinking faster than the Lusitania].