Tonight at 7:08 p.m. ET the Boston Red Sox (27-32) will head over to Detroit to kick off a three-game set with the heavy-hitting Tigers (31-25) at Comerica Park that can be live streamed by clicking this link. Red Sox fans can hear the radio broadcast on 93.7 WEEI, while Tigers fans may do the same on 97.1 The Ticket FM. Detroit will send Drew Smyly (2-4, 4.10 ERA) to the mound against Rubby De La Rosa (1-0, 0.00 ERA).
Boston seemed to be turning around their slow start to the season with a seven-game winning streak, but were just swept by the Cleveland Indians. Now they'll face a formidable foe with anger on the brain.
"It's been uncharacteristic based on the last couple of years, and that's got some frustration there for us," manager John Farrell said. They're hoping young pitcher Rubby De La Rosa, whose taking the place of injured Clay Buchholz, can be a spark to a big renaissance.
"I've heard whispers about how good this kid can be, and I saw little glimpses of it in spring training," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "But to actually see him do it on this stage, in this situation ... was impressive, and hopefully he learns from it, gains confidence and builds on it."
The Tigers are flailing too, but manager Brad Ausmus is preaching the importance of not panicking. "When things are going well, you think you're never going to lose. When things are going bad, you feel like you're never going to win," Ausmus said.
"You have to keep the big picture in mind. You take a snapshot of the last few weeks for them, and it's a perfect example."
Smyly was expected to fill the shoes of Doug Fister after a fine year in relief in 2013, but length has been an issue for him. In eight starts he's reached seven innings just once.
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