This has been one exciting series A.L. Championship Series. The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers meet for Game 6. They have played four one-run games with the Red Sox lucking out, winning all three of their games in matchups that have been too close to call. They lead the series 3-2 and they will look to lock up the ALCS. Find out when the Red Sox and Tigers play Game 6 as the series shifts to Fenway Park.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 19
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
The Red Sox won Game 2 by the score of 6-5 behind a David Ortiz grand slam. They followed that heroic effort with a 1-0 victory against a Justin Verlander that was dealing. Mike Napoli broke out of his funk, jacking a solo shot to left-center, driving and scoring the only run of that ball game. The Red Sox had escaped the clutches of the Tigers' best pitchers, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
Game 5 saw great things from the Red Sox. They were able to establish the lead and the depend on their bullpen to keep it close, something the Tigers have struggled with for Jim Leyland. The Red Sox took an early 4-0 lead and the bullpen handled the rest as Jon Lester left the game with a 4-2 lead.
It is time for the Tigers to decide what they want to do in this series. Max Scherzer lost his start after pitching a marvelous game because the bullpen blue things up in Game 2. The Tigers scored five runs in that game. Then in Game 3, with Verlander mowing down the Red Sox, they provided no run support in a game they should have won.
The Red Sox are 3-1 at home so far in the 2013 playoffs. They have yet to lose two straight games, meaning they have a great chance of snatching up the series and dethroning the defending A.L. Champions.
Detroit was close on Thursday, proving their new lineup is effective. They have scored a total of 10 runs in their last two games after scoring six in their first three. Now, the Tigers have to put it all together and simplify things. If they can get Scherzer three or four runs, they can push it to a Game 7 with Verlander on the mound. Verlander has only allowed one run in three postseason starts this season, so the odds would heavily favor the Tigers.
The Red Sox have to try striking out less if they want to have success with Scherzer, but of course, that is easier said than done. They have to try getting the ball in the air with the Green Monster in left field, but Scherzer will probably too smart to leave anything inside to hit on the inside of the plate to righties and on the outside hanging to a lefty.
It's Clay Buchholz versus Max Scherzer in Game 6 at Fenway Park on Friday.