SERIES PREVIEW: Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers (22-19) visit bean town for a two game series against the Boston Red Sox (21-20). The Red Sox are 12-9 at home this season and 7-3 in their last ten games. The Tigers are 11-11 on the road this season and 8-2 in their last ten games.

PITCHING PREVIEW:

Wednesday May 18th 2011 7:10 PM Fenway Park

Phil Coke, LHP

1-5, 4.54 ERA

Career statsVS

Clay Buchholz, RHP

4-3, 3.94 ERA

Career stats

Thursday May 19th 2011 7:10 PM Fenway Park

Justin Verlander, RHP

4-3, 2.91 ERA

Career statsVS

Josh Beckett, RHP

3-1, 1.75 ERA

Career stats

INJURY UPDATES:

WHO’s HOT!

DETROIT:

• Jhonny Peralta has hit .462 with a double, 4 homers and 7 RBI the last 5 games. Bash his defense and range all you want people, JP is batting .305 this season.
• Justin Verlander has allowed just two hits and one earned run his last 18 innings. Verlander is a perfect 9-9 in quality starts this season and an American League leading 62 strikeouts this season.

BOSTON:

• Adrian Gonzalez is batting .385 with 2 doubles, 5 homers and 12 RBI in his last 6 games.
• Josh Beckett has a 1.75 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP in 51 1/3 innings this season. He hasn’t allowed a run over his last three starts–a span of 17 1/3 innings. The Tigers face off against Beckett on Thursday.

WHO’s COLD!

DETROIT:

• Alex Avila has just one hit in his last 13 at-bats–nothing major but worth noting. Avila has been a pleasant surprise this season batting .268 with 6 homers and 24 RBI!
• Brandon Inge is batting just .167 over his last seven games.Cringe also is batting just .202 with 9 extra-base hits this season.

BOSTON:

• Carl Crawford is batting just .192 over his last six games. The $142 million man is also hitting just .208 with 9 extra-base hits and 6 stolen bases this season.

SERIES PREDICTION:

I see the Tigers splitting the series, grabbing a win in the series finale. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Boston swept the mini-series. Cleveland continues to find ways to win so hopefully the Tigers win at least one game!

*Injury Updates and Pitching Preview information obtained from MLB.COM

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