The Boston Red Sox (44-30) and Detroit Tigers (39-31) will meet in their series opening matchup Thursday night at Comerica Park. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET and will air live on MLB Network and will stream live on MLB.com with a paid subscription.
Detroit will send out rookie pitcher Jose Alvarez (1-0) who is coming off an outstanding first career major league start. Alvarez gave up just one run and three hits while striking out seven during six innings of action in Detroit's 4-1 win over the Indians on June 9.
The Tigers called up the 24-year-old from Triple-A following an injury suffered by Anibal Sanchez, then called the rookie back to the minors afterward. With Sanchez being placed on the disabled list, the Tigers decided to give the young pitcher another starting opportunity.
"You certainly had to like his demeanor and his mound presence. I thought it was terrific," manager Jim Leyland said. "He didn't appear to be overwhelmed by anything."
He will have his hands full against AL East leading Boston, who lead the majors with 373 total runs. However, the Red Sox dominant bats have struggled in scoring as of late, totaling 27 runs during a 4-5 skid.
Detroit's has also struggled as of late, riding a two-game losing skid. The Tigers are 5-5 in their last ten games and are coming off just their second losing home series this season.
"I don't want to sit here and look like I'm making excuses, because I'm not in any way, shape or form," Leyland said. "Things have to be a little bit better. But like I said, today was a day where it was a combination of things."
The Tigers will face off against John Lackey (4-5), who hasn't faced Detroit since 2010. However, the former Angels starter was 6-0 through his first eight career starts against the Tigers before suffering losses in his last two appearances.
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