BoSox Look To Win One In Motown

John Lackey will look to help the Red Sox avoid a sweep in Detroit on Sunday.

The Boston Red Sox will look to put the halters on a five-game losing streak on Sunday night as they play the final game of a three-game set with the Detroit Tigers.

First pitch at Comerica Park in Detroit is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.

It would be an understatement to say that Boston (27-34, 12-17 road), the reigning champion, wasn’t exactly enthralled about the way this season has played out.

After a poor start to the campaign, the Red Sox looked to have turned the corner a week ago, registering a season-best seven-game winning streak, including four wins over the tough-as-nails Atlanta Braves.

But then came a trip to former boss Terry Francona’s neighborhood – and a 3-0 sweep at the hand of the Tribe – before a not-so-jolly jaunt to Motown.

Detroit (33-25, 16-14 home) – which swept the Sox at Fenway Park earlier in the year – snapped its own five game losing streak on Friday night, handing the Red Sox a 6-2 defeat in the series opener.

Ian Kinsler, Torii Hunter and Victor Martinez all homered in the game, while starting pitcher Drew Smyly picked up his first win since early May.

On Saturday, the Tigers made it 5-from-5 against the Red Sox this season, taking an 8-6 victory.

Boston starter Jon Lester made it through just 4 1/3 innings and allowed 12 hits, his most in more than three years. Miguel Cabrera recorded three hits for the Tigers, while rookie Eugenio Suarez registered his first career hit, a home run in the fourth inning. The Red Sox scored twice in the ninth to make the score a little more respectable, but truthfully never felt in the game.

Now the Sox face the very real prospect of another sweep and another six-game losing streak.

John Farrell’s club is just 6-13 in its last 19 games, having started the season 20-19. That seven-game winning streak was bookended by a nine-game skid in May. The AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays have built up a 10-game lead in the division, a gap at this time that looks insurmountable. Right now, Boston needs to win badly.

Injuries have had some role in this current run of poor form. The Red Sox are currently without Mike Carp (foot), Will Middlebrooks (finger), Mike Napoli (finger) and Shane Victorino (hamstring), but Farrell knows that that’s no kind of excuse. He also knows his team is capable of winning.

Detroit hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders of late either. Since sweeping the Red Sox to begin the year 27-12, Brad Ausmus’ club has gone 6-13 and watched as its lead in the AL Central has dwindled. Right now, the Tigers are four games up on the Cleveland Indians in second place.

But the Tigers have reaped the reward of playing the Red Sox this season, picking up five wins and scoring six or more runs in four of those games. All-told, the Tigers have outscored Boston to the tune of 27-11 over the course of those games. Will this dominance continue on Sunday?

John Lackey (6-2, 3.28 ERA) will take the mound for the visitors. Since starting the season 4-2, the veteran right-hander has just two wins in his last six starts, but don’t let that fool you: Lackey is pitching a good game.

During that six-game stretch, Lackey has allowed just 12 earned runs and has recorded a 2.72 ERA. A lack of run support from his team mates has left him look at a no decision too often. He’ll hope that changes on Sunday. He’ll also hope to end a recent run of poor form against the Tigers, having gone 0-4 with a 5.51 ERA in his last five starts against the club.

Detroit will counter with Anibal Sanchez (2-2, 2.15 ERA). Like Lackey, Sanchez hasn’t gotten the best run support during his time on the hill this season.

The 30-year-old right-hander has recorded just four decisions in nine starts – two wins and two losses – but has been better for much more. He’s given up just 12 earned runs in nine games, a record that should have seen a lot more wins. Will he get the support he needs on Sunday?

Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers will look to go 6-0 against the Red Sox this season.

Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers odds for 06/08/2014

Boston (+126) opened as an underdog to Detroit (-136) on the moneyline. That number has risen as high as +140 with some sportsbooks.

The Tigers will like their chances of moving to 6-0 against the Red Sox this season, particularly as the latter is just 3-11 against AL Central opponents this season. Detroit is 10-4 versus AL East opposition.

Boston has won just three of its last 10 games in Motown, a trend it would like to turnaround starting Sunday.

The Sox would also like to record a win in their last regular season meeting with the Tigers this season.

The over/under sits at 7 1/2.

Saturday’s game saw the over pay out, the first time this has happened in a head-to-head matchup between the sides. All three games at Fenway Park ended with the under paying out, while the series opener this week finished with a push.

The total has gone over in seven of Detroit’s last nine home games, but under in six of Boston’s last nine road games. Looking at the pitching matchup we have this evening, the under looks to be the smarter bet.

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Following Sunday’s nationally televised game, Boston will begin a three-game road series against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday before returning to Fenway Park for series against the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins.

Detroit will visit the Chicago White Sox for four games this week before returning to Comerica Park for a seven-game homestand against the Twins and Kansas City Royals.

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