The Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers are rolling with two of the most productive offenses in the AL, resulting in the division's top records. The playoffs are in sight for both clubs, but injuries to the lineup could derail late season success.
Detroit is sorting through their lineup as leading hitter Miguel Cabrera remains pretty banged up. The slugger sat out the last two days with an abdominal strain. He left both Thursday and Friday games early before sitting out Saturday and Sunday. He also hip and leg injuries that have plagued him during August. Jim Leyland is unsure whether or not Cabrera will be active for the crucial three-game series against the Red Sox.
Cabrera's .418 average and 18 RBI over the past 13 games have been essential to the Tigers. He is irreplaceable. Detroit currently sits 7 1/2 games up in the AL Central as they head into a nine-game trip against several of the AL's best teams. Doug Fister will get the start for Detroit, recording a 3.81 ERA so far this season. He has struggled against the Red Sox in his two starts this seasons, surrendering six runs and 11 hits in each game.
John Lackey gets the start for the surging Red Sox who sit on top of the East having won seven of their last eight games. In 10 home starts this season, the right-hander is 5-2 with a 2.24 ERA. He has received almost no run support throughout that run, but the fact that Lackey has pitched into the seventh inning in 14 consecutive starts has overshadowed that.
Since 2003, Detroit is 9-30 when playing at Fenway Park. They have lost 11 of 12 series in that stretch. Their 699 runs scored this season is just one more than Boston. The next three days should be exciting in Boston.
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