The Red Sox look for the sweep of their short two-game series with the Tigers when they clash at Fenway and they are favored to do just that.
Justin Verlander (4-3, 2.91) gets the start tonight for Detroit, while Boston will go with Josh Beckett (3-1, 1.75) In his last start Verlander held the Royals to one run on two hits over eight innings. Beckett tossed six shutout innings against the Yankees in his last outing.
View Detroit vs Boston Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Boston opened as -145 moneyline favorites in this baseball match, based on the starting pitcher matchup. That pairing made odds makers settle on an Sportsbook over under number of 7.5.
Power Rankings:
The MLB Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Red Sox rated this week at No. 11 and the Tigers sitting at No. 8.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Boston's No. 7 ranked American League offense (4.3 runs per game) against a Tigers defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 7 in the American League at 4.2 runs allowed per game. The Red Sox have been averaging 8.9 hits per game, more than the Tigers have managed so far this season (8.5 hits on average).
Boston owns the American League's No. 11 defense, allowing 4.4 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Detroit's American League No. 7-rated defense.
Last time out for Detroit, they were a 1-0 loser as they battled the Red Sox on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Red Sox at -179 were rewarded, while the 1 combined runs moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. The Tigers were shut out in their last start, struggling to get much going against the Boston staff and losing 1-0 to the Red Sox on Wednesday at Fenway Park.
Detroit Tigers Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After playing Boston are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7
Boston Red Sox Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Chi Cubs are 1-2
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a win are 8-2
A few Tigers at Red Sox trends to consider:
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Detroit is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games on the road
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit
Boston is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing Detroit
Next up:
Detroit at Pittsburgh, Friday, May 20
Boston home to Chi Cubs, Friday, May 20
