Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers series preview
By Chris Embree
Previewing the four-game set between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers
The Boston Red Sox (2-0) travel to Comerica Park for a four game series against the Detroit Tigers (1-1) this weekend.
The Red Sox are coming off a great series against a tough Pittsburgh Pirates team. In a rain-shortened series, they were able to both games.
The Detroit Tigers will be looking to get back on-track after getting blown out by the Chicago White Sox in their previous game 11-2. This series looks to offer a great battle of offense and pitching between both teams
Pitching Matchups
Friday, April 7 at 1:10 PM – Steven Wright vs Michael Fulmer
Saturday, April 8 at 1:10 PM – Rick Porcello (1-0, 4.26 ERA) vs Jordan Zimmermann
Sunday, April 9 at 1:10 – Drew Pomeranz vs Daniel Norris
Monday, April 10 at 1:10 – Chris Sale (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Justin Verlander (1-0, 2.84 ERA)
Series Notes
- Knuckleballer Steven Wright makes his return to the diamond after he ended the season on the Disabled List. Red Sox fans are hopeful that he is able to pick up where he left off. He was the only starting pitcher from the Sox to make the All-Star team and boasted a 13-6 record with a 3.33 ERA in 24 games. Wright looked healthy in Spring Training with a 0.67 ERA in 13.1 innings.
- The Red Sox continue to lose key players. Xander Bogaerts will be placed on the 3-day bereavement list, along with Matt Barnes. Mookie Betts will be a game time decision due to flu-like symptoms, and Robbie Ross Jr. has been placed on the 10-day disabled list because of the flu. They will get some help back with Brock Holt being cleared to play and Drew Pomeranz making his first start on Sunday. The Sox have called up Deven Marrero, Marco Hernandez, and Noe Ramirez to fill the gaps in the roster.
- Circle April 10th in your calendar. It will be a battle of elite pitching as 2017 Cy Young Award hopefuls square off in the series finale. Justin Verlander is coming fresh off a 10 strikeout performance on Opening Day. Chris Sale looked dominant in his first start in a red Sox uniform, going 7 shutout innings, striking out 7.
- Andrew Benintendi will not be able to ease his way into his official rookie season. He saw All-Star Gerrit Cole to start the season, followed by Jameson Taillon a former 2nd overall pick. Against the Tiger he’ll see Michael Fulmer, the 2016 Rookie of the Year, Daniel Norris, a once highly touted prospect who has been hampered by injuries, and Justin Verlander, a potential Hall of Famer.
Key Hitters
Red Sox: Sandy Leon
2017 Season (2 Games): .625/.625/1.125, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Career vs Detroit Tigers (6 Games): .381/.435/.619, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Sandy took the opening series by storm. After a 2-hit performance on Opening Day, he had a 3-hit game on Wednesday, including a walk-off home run. Some fans wanted Leon to just be the personal catcher for Porcello and have Vazquez catch the rest of the games. With this offensive outburst, Sandy should remain in the lineup for the time being, and continue to give the Red Sox a boost at the bottom of the order.
Tigers: Ian Kinsler
2017 Season (2 Games): .400/.625/1.200, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Career vs Red Sox (70 Games): .279/.346/.511, 15 HR, 38 RBI
Ian Kinsler has carried his World Baseball Performance into the start of the season. During the WBC he had a slash line of .267/.353/.400, but he hit a key double in the 8th inning that put the winning runner on 3rd base. On Opening Day, he blasted a home run and hit a double as well. In a lineup that has Miguel Cabrera, Kinsler is still an important piece, especially since he’s hurt the Red Sox in the past.
Check back with BoSox Injection prior to the start of every Red Sox series this season for our preview!