I like the move for a couple of reasons.
#1 Against the NYY, Mark's chances are maybe 50-50 or slightly better. Against the Tigers he zooms up to 80 or 90% Why give the Tigers a chance against Neal?
#2 Which would shake Neal's confidence more getting beat by the best team in baseball or the worse? Which would boost his confidence more a quality start vs. the Yankees or against the "of course we beat them, they're the 2003 Tigers?" He can't lose confidence wise against the Yankees, he can only win. He can't win confidence wise with the Tigers, he can only lose.
#3 Sorry but we probably are not going to sweep the Yankees if the first two guys can't get a split we better turn it around in Detroit anyway no matter what game 3 brings.