Mariners Vs. Yankees Series Preview: Andy Pettitte Makes His Return On Sunday

The Seattle Mariners will face the New York Yankees for the first time in 2012 in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium beginning on Friday. The M's are coming off a series win over the Detroit Tigers, while the Yankees are coming off a series win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

While the Yankees will be the overwhelming favorites in the series, the Mariners might just be catching them at the right time. The Yankees dropped three of four against the Baltimore Orioles before losing future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera for the season. The Yanks then split a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals and scrapped to take two of three from the Rays.

The weakest link for the Yanks -- and even more so now -- is their bullpen. If the Mariners can get the Yankees' starters out of the games early, anything is possible. What's more, Seattle will be facing the three weakest pitchers (so far this season, anyway) in the New York rotation.

The biggest news in the series is that the legendary Andy Pettitte will be making his return in the Sunday finale. Pettitte has not pitched in the majors since the 2010 ALCS and signed a minor-league contract with New York at the beginning of the season. Many will be anxious to see how he fares after a year away.

TV Schedule & Probable Pitchers

On Friday, the game will begin at 4:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on ROOT Sports. You can catch the radio broadcast on 710 ESPN. The M's will try to pick up the first win behind ace Felix Hernandez. Hiroki Kuroda will get the start for the Yankees. Kuroda is 2-4 with a 3.75 ERA.

First pitch on Saturday will be at 1:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on ROOT Sports. You can catch the radio broadcast on 710 ESPN. The two shakiest pitchers in both rotations will face off in a game that could get ugly. Hector Noesi gets the start for the Mariners, while Phil Hughes takes a 2-4 record and 6.67 ERA into the game.

The series finale on Sunday will begin at 10:05 a.m. PT and will be televised on ROOT Sports. You can catch the radio broadcast on 710 ESPN. Blake Beavan will get the start, looking to improve upon his 1-3 record. The Mariners will be meeting up with old nemesis Pettitte, who makes his return to the big leagues.

For all news and information regarding the Seattle Mariners, please visit Lookout Landing. For updates and perspective on the New York Yankees, head on over to Pinstripe Alley or check out SB Nation New York.