Yankees vs. Tigers: Robinson Cano Is the Key to Avoiding Elimination

The New York Yankees are just a game away from being eliminated from their American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, and only second baseman Robinson Cano can save them.

Tuesday night's first pitch from Comerica Park is scheduled for 8:37 EDT and will be televised on TBS.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have sent out the Detroit Tigers as slight favorites, knowing that money will be pouring in on the Yankees near game time.

Cano is truly the only hope for this team in the middle of the order, as third baseman Alex Rodriguez and first baseman Mark Teixeira are a combined 1-for-21 in the series.

Rodriguez has fallen into an abyss during the postseason, entering tonight with a .167 batting average in his last 12 October contests, while Teixeira goes into hiding with a .202 career mark when the stakes are raised.

It would be crazy to suggest that those numbers will improve against tonight's opposing starter, as they've been limited to two hits in 14 at-bats against him.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi may be best served to place the team's best hitter in the No. 4 spot, which would make it harder for Tigers starter Rick Porcello to pitch around him.

Cano has enjoyed more success against Detroit's right-hander than any other player on the Yankees roster, knocking five hits in 11 career at-bats.

New York's fans may need to start preparing for a tumultuous winter, as the team is 1-9 in their last 10 ALDS road games when playing outside of Minnesota.

The only hope is to hear Yankees radio announcer John Sterling say, "Robinson Cano, don't ya know?".