The Detroit Tigers (54-48) and Boston Red Sox (51-51) will open up an American League series on Monday night at Fenway Park in Boston, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 ET

Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox 

Detroit snapped a three-game losing streak by picking up a 4-1 road victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon, but the offense has still failed to score more than four runs in four consecutive contests.  The Tigers have been getting solid production from shortstop Jhonny Peralta at the plate, hitting three of his eight home runs and driving in 10 of his 37 runs since the All-Star break.  Detroit is 28-36 as a road underdog of +100 to +125 the last two-plus seasons, while the “over” has gone 38-22 in that situation.

Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (10-5, 4.49 ERA) enters on a personal four-game win streak, including a 5-3 road win over the Cleveland Indians in his last effort, allowing two runs and three hits over seven frames.  The right-hander is 6-3 with a 4.74 ERA in 12 road outings, surrendering 11 home runs in 68.1 combined innings.  In five career games versus the Red Sox, Scherzer has compiled a 1-2 record and 9.82 ERA, but is 1-0 with a 2.92 ERA in two outings at this ballpark.

Boston is still lurking in the AL Wild Card race, sitting just 4.5 games back in the standings, as it won two of three against the New York Yankees in the Bronx over the weekend.  “I hope it’s huge,” commented Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia about the big series win.  “We just have to continue to win ballgames.”  One of the team’s strengths at home this season has been the bullpen, as the unit leads the majors with a 2.36 ERA since April 23.  Boston is 9-9 at home with a money line of -100 to -125, with the “over” going 12-5 in those contests.

Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (8-3, 4.93 ERA) has also been throwing the ball well, but has failed to earn a decision in his last two outings, allowing just two runs and 10 hits in 15 combined frames in that span.  The right-hander is 5-1 with a 4.83 ERA in nine home outings, but has served up 11 round trippers in 59.2 innings.  In seven lifetime appearances against the Tigers, Buchholz has tallied an even 1-1 record and 3.83 ERA, including a 13-12 setback on the road in his first start of the 2012 campaign.

Sports bettors will likely back the Red Sox due to their 12-1 record in Buchholz’s last 13 home starts as a favorite of -110 to -150, while the Tigers are 24-49 in the last 73 series meetings.

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