MLB Picks: Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers

The Boston Red Sox (44-31) and Detroit Tigers (40-31) will continue a four-game American League series Friday night at Comerica Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET

Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are 4-4 as home favorites of -125 to -150 this season

Boston has dropped its last two games, including a 4-3 road defeat to Detroit as +107 road underdogs Thursday, while going UNDER the betting total for a fourth consecutive contest. The Red Sox desperately need to get third baseman Will Middlebrooks hitting again, as he enters this contest batting .192. It’s important to point out that the club has won eight of its 12 road series during the 2013 campaign. Boston is 10-5 on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5, with the OVER going 8-6-1 in that situation.

Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (6-4, 4.37 ERA) has dropped his last four decisions, including a 6-3 road defeat to the Baltimore Orioles last time out, as he allowed five runs and nine hits over five frames. The left-hander is 4-4 with a 5.25 ERA in 10 road outings, surrendering eight home runs in 60 combined frames. In five career games versus the Tigers, Lester has compiled a 0-2 record and 4.78 ERA.

Detroit snapped a two-game losing streak with last night’s victory, while it went UNDER the betting total for the fourth time in five contests. “It’s huge for our team,” commented Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly. “We lost a couple against Baltimore, so it’s good to bounce back.” Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera is the first player since Ted Williams to have at least 100 hits and 71 RBIs in his team’s first 70 games of the season. Detroit is 4-4 as home favorites of -125 to -150 this season, with the OVER cashing in six of those eight affairs.

Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister (6-4, 3.21 ERA) snapped a personal three-game losing streak last time out, as he picked up a 5-2 road win over the Minnesota Twins, allowing two runs and two hits over 7.2 innings of work. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 3.19 ERA in six home appearances, issuing five walks and striking out 33 combined batters in 42.1 frames. In six career games versus the Red Sox, Fister has tallied a 1-3 record and 4.09 ERA.