ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Yankees manager Joe Girardi named Freddy Garcia as the third starter for the team’s ALDS matchup against the Detroit Tigers.

“We just like the way that Freddy’s pitched. We talked about it and debated it a long time and decided to go with Freddy. We like the way Freddy’s competed all year and we’re going to send him out there,” Girardi said after an 8-7 loss to the Rays here last night.

Garcia will follow CC Sabathia and rookie Ivan Nova in the Yankees rotation.

Garcia was 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 25 starts for the Yankees in 2011.

In his one start against the Tigers this year, Garcia was the losing pitcher after going seven innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits and striking out eight.

In his postseason career, Garcia is 6-2 with a 3.11 ERA. He went 3-0 with the 2005 World Champion White Sox.