Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers April 7-10 Series Preview
After a rainout yesterday at home, the Boston Red Sox are on the road for a four-game series against the Detroit Tigers, who will play their home opener.
The Boston Red Sox are 2-0 so far in 2017 after the final game of their opening series was postponed. The Red Sox now hit the road for the first time.
The Detroit Tigers (1-1) will go through all of their pre-game festivities as Friday is their home opener.
Boston will be dealing with a number of losses in the lineup, at least to begin the series. Mookie Betts remains out with flu-like symptoms, and Hanley Ramirez is now joining him. Robbie Ross Jr. is now on the 10-day disabled list with flu-like symptoms as well. Reliever Matt Barnes and shortstop Xander Bogaerts are both on bereavement leave.
With all this, Boston’s Friday lineup is set.
Pitching Matchups
Friday, April 7th at 1:10 PM: Steven Wright vs Michael Fulmer
Saturday, April 8th at 1:10 PM: Rick Porcello (1-0, 4.26 ERA) vs Jordan Zimmerman
Sunday, April 9th at 1:10 PM: Drew Pomeranz vs Daniel Norris
Monday, April 10th at 1:10 PM: Chris Sale (0.00 ERA) vs Justin Verlander (1-0, 2.84 ERA)
Steven Wright will make his first start of 2017 after finishing last season on the DL. He had a 3.33 ERA last season while going 13-6 in 24 games. Wright will face off against the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer, who will start off a weekend of strong opposing pitchers for Boston. Game 2 will see Porcello make his second start of the season after an Opening Day win over the Pirates. Drew Pomeranz will return from the DL to make his first start of the season on Sunday. The marquee matchup comes on Monday afternoon.
Chris Sale was stellar in his first game of the season, though he didn’t earn the win. Sale went 7.0 scoreless innings while striking out seven Pirates batters. He’ll face another Cy Young hopeful in Detroit’s Justin Verlander.
Key Players
Red Sox: Chris Young, OF
2017 Stats: 0-3, 2 BB
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With Mookie Betts out to begin the series, Chris Young will fill the right field spot. Young went 0-3 with two walks in his first appearance of 2017. He’ll hit fifth in Boston’s lineup behind Mitch Moreland. If Boston can get some pop out of Young, they’ll be in good shape.
Tigers: Miguel Cabrera, 1B
2017 Stats: 0-6, 2 BB
Detroit’s slugger has yet to record a hit in the 2017 season but it will likely come in this series. The Red Sox will look to keep Miguel Cabrera’s hits in play and avoid the home run ball. Always an MVP and Triple Crown candidate, Cabrera’s bat will be vital for the Tigers. If the Red Sox avoid the long ball though, they’ll be in great shape.
The Bottom Line
The Red Sox will face three tough pitchers in Fulmer, Norris, and Verlander. With the flu bug being passed around the team it will be a battle of health. Brock Holt will DH to open the series while Marco Hernandez takes a crack at shortstop. Deven Marrero and Steve Selsky may get their chance to take an at-bat or play the field for the first time this season.
The Red Sox and Tigers may split this series 2-2, but I hope they at least win the marquee Sale vs Verlander matchup.
Next: Chris Sale 'Special' In Boston Debut
Boston will return to Fenway Park following this series to face the Orioles and Rays and to make up their postponed game against the Pirates.