Yankees vs Tigers: Alex Avila's Knee Injury Cause for Concern in Game 5

The Detroit Tigers didn't want to go back to New York. Yet, their four-hit performance against A.J. Burnett (the Yankees bullpen no-hit them the final three-and-one-third innings) wasn't close enough to getting the job done in Game 4.

Now they'll have to face Ivan Nova in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night. Although it is not CC Sabathia, this is still a daunting task for the visitors.

To make matters worse, their 24-year-old catcher, Alex Avila, is struggling with a knee injury.

He's going to play in Game 5 (they have nobody else to turn to that they can trust) but he's been more of an issue than anyone wants to admit.

When asked about the injury Avila told MLive.com:

"Minor injuries happen to everybody. Whether I was injured badly or not, I’m not really coming out of the game anyway, so it doesn’t matter...It’ll be fine."

Fine is one thing. Good is another.

Avila has been far from good this series.

He is 0-for-12 at the plate with six strikeouts and one RBI. To make matters worse, he's 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position for the series.

While the two Yankee wins haven't been very close, Avila's inability to make something happen at the plate is a huge cause for concern in Game 5.

The Tigers have won their two games by a combined three runs. And, in each win, the Yankees have had the opportunity to win late in the ball game.

Detroit cannot afford to squander scoring opportunities against a team as powerful, deep and seasoned as the Yankees at this point in the season.

With Avila nursing a bum knee that he claims is "fine," the Tigers have to consider the fact that their going to bat with only eight healthy players on Thursday night.

Tigers fans need to be worried if the the elimination game comes down to the 0-for-12 Avila the plate.