MLB Predictions 2012: Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers

The Boston Red Sox (0-2) and Detroit Tigers (2-0) will close out a season-opening three-game American League series on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park

Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are rolling offensively with Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder leading the way

Boston hopes to salvage a game in its trip to the Motor City before heading off for a three-game set with Toronto inside the Rogers Center starting on Monday. The Red Sox were handed a 10-0 blowout loss on Saturday afternoon, which has many fans believing that the franchise may start 0-6 or worse in consecutive seasons. “You don’t like to be 0-2,” commented Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis. “We’ll bounce back hopefully, get a win and roll into Toronto.” Boston is 50-43 in day games the last two-plus years.

Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz is making the start in the team’s third game for the second consecutive year, taking a 5-1 loss at Texas on April 3, 2011. The right-hander registered an even 2-2 mark and 5.23 ERA in five spring starts, taking the mound on the road in four of those five outings. Buchholz has allowed just six combined earned runs in his last five starts versus the Tigers, coming in with a Major League-best 1.57 ERA against the club since 2009. Boston is unbeaten in his last four starts in this particular series.

Detroit finished the 2011 regular season with a flourish and has carried over that momentum into the first two games of this year’s schedule. The Tigers were led by their power combo of third baseman Miguel Cabrera and first baseman Prince Fielder, combining for four home runs and five RBI in Saturday’s victory. “So far, everything’s good. We’re 2-0,” commented Fielder about life with his new team since signing a long-term contract in the offseason. The franchise will be aiming to win its first three games of the year for the first time since 2006. Detroit is 107-64 at home the last two-plus seasons.

Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer is coming off a solid 2011 season, finishing with a 15-9 record and 4.43 ERA in 33 starts. The right-hander will be seeking his first-ever win over today’s opponent, posting an 0-2 mark and 9.45 ERA in three career starts versus the Red Sox. He managed to go 8-4 with a 3.80 ERA in 18 home outings last year, while registering an even 4-4 record and 4.30 ERA in 10 daytime starts.

Bettors will likely back the Red Sox due to their 9-1 record in Buchholz’s last 10 starts as a road underdog, while the Tigers are 22-46 in the last 68 meetings in this series.