The ALCS 2013 sees the Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers on Saturday evening as they hook up for the series opener. How did these two teams fair during the regular season? Let's look at their head-to-head during the regular season as the Red Sox and Tigers face off for a chance to play in the 2013 World Series.
Tigers Take 4 of 7
The Tigers won four of seven against baseball's best team in 2013. That must be very inspiring as both teams hook up in a seven-game series. Ironically, the Red Sox outscored them 43-35, meaning when Boston won, Boston won big. Both teams split the series, with the Tigers doing most damage the first time they met.
The Tigers and Red Sox first hooked up in a four-game series in Detroit, where the Tigers took three of four back in June. They won the first game, 4-3, after Andrew Bailey blew a save as Jhonny Peralta took him deep with Don Kelly on base. The Red Sox were up 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth before the walk-off.
The Red Sox bounced back behind today's starter, Jon Lester. They won 10-6, only to see the Tigers respond with 10 runs in the third game, which Detroit won 10-3. The final game, the Tigers won late as they scored one in the seventh and three in the eighth, taking the game 7-5.
Not too long ago, the Red Sox smothered the Tigers, taking two of three at Fenway Park. The Tigers looked great in the first game, winning 3-0 behind Doug Fister. However, Lester and Max Scherzer hooked up in a pitchers' duel that saw the Red Sox win 2-1. Runs were scarce in this game, something that could not be said about the final game between the two teams. The Red Sox beat the Tigers 20-4.
In the playoffs both teams had different stories. The Red Sox cruised versus the Tampa Bay Rays. Their offense was rolling and their pitching was lights out. Meanwhile, the Tigers barely made it out of the first round as the Oakland A's proved tough once again. However, the Tigers' bats woke up in Game 4 and Miguel Cabrera provided the thunder, giving Justin Verlander all the run support he needed, smacking his first home run of the postseason.
All it takes is four games. The Red Sox scored enough runs against the Tigers to confidently believe they can beat Detroit. However, the Tigers beat the Red Sox four times in the regular season. Home field advantage played a huge role during the regular season, will this prevail in the postseason? Do not miss Game 1.
