Game 78: Red Sox at Tigers - Trying to earn a split

Ben Whitehead
Contributing Writer

A night after scoring 10 runs, the Boston Red Sox (45-32) and their bats went cold and the Detroit Tigers (41-32) trounced the Sox, 10-3, to take a 2-1 series lead. The Red Sox go for the split today, with Felix Doubront drawing Justin Verlander in the pitching matchup. Doubront is 4-3 with a 4.38 ERA, but is looking to duplicate his last start, in which he went 8.0 innings and allowed no runs, three hits while striking out six and walking none. It was the longest outing of his career and also the best he’s pitched in a game with the Red Sox.

Here is this afternoon’s lineup (first pitch – 1:08 pm EDT):

1. Ellsbury, CF
2. Victorino, RF
3. Pedroia, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Gomes, LF
7. Drew, SS
8. Lavarnway, C
9. Iglesias, 3B

Doubront, P

Verlander is 8-5 with a 3.72 ERA this season. The Sox will be facing one of the game’s most dominant pitchers. Boston is prone to striking out a lot and Verlander has a chance to carve up the Sox lineup.

Buchholz scratched Tuesday
The Red Sox were hoping to get Clay Buchholz back for Tuesday’s home-stand opener against Colorado. Instead, he has been scratched from that start and will likely have to complete a rehab assignment in the minor leagues before taking the mound for Boston. Buchholz is 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA this season, but injured his neck June 8 against the Angels. Chances are Alfredo Aceves gets the start Tuesday in Buch’s place.

Let us know what you think about today’s game by commenting below.

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