09-07-2019, 02:49 AM
DETROIT – Thanks to the Tigers 7-3 victory in Game 4, this series is guaranteed to return to Fenway Park on Saturday night. As each game passes (each has played close with the exception of last night) it becomes clearer just how evenly matched these two teams are and how one mistake, or one bad inning, is likely to sway the result. While much has been made of Jim Leylands decision to demote Austin Jackson from the lead off spot - Jackson had two hits and a walk hitting eighth in Game 4 - the fact that Red Sox starter Jake Peavy lost the strike zone in the second inning, when the Tigers scored five runs to ice the game early, was the biggest factor of the night. As the curtain closes on the Comerica Park portion of this series, we revert back to the Game 1 pitching matchup. Game 5 Preview PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox: LHP Jon Lester (Regular season: 12-5, 4.17, 1.147 WHIP; Playoffs: 0-0, 1.59, 0.882 WHIP in 5.2IP) 2013 Regular Season vs. Detroit: 2 GS – 2-0, 12.2IP, 4.26, 1.579 WHIP. Game 1 vs. Detroit: L, 6.1 IP, 1 ER (1.42 ERA,) 6 H, 1 BB, 4K, 1.105 WHIP. Jhonny Peralta, who had three hits in Game 1 and was the only Tiger with a multi-hit game, went 2-3 off Lester with a double and an RBI single. That single, in the sixth inning, scored Miguel Cabrera with the only run of the game in Detroits 1-0 win. Possible Argument: Despite the fact his counterpart Anibal Sanchez didnt allow a hit over six innings in Game 1, Lester was essentially as good as his mound opponent. Lester worked out of a two out, first inning jam stranding runners at the corners following two singles. A one out single in the third was erased on a double play and, thanks to some strong defensive play, he worked out of a fifth inning jam started by a lead off double. Sure, Lester got burned in the sixth but he was generally efficient in Game 1 and theres no reason to believe he cant be Sanchezs match, or better, in Game 5. Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (Regular season: 14-9, 3.67, 1.308 WHIP; Playoffs: 0-0, 4.50, 1.333 WHIP in 6IP) Didnt face Boston in the 2013 regular season. Game 1 vs. Boston: 6 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 6 BB, 12 K, 1.000 WHIP. Clearly nobody hit Sanchez well in Game 1 because nobody hit him at all. Dustin Pedroia did draw two of Sanchezs six walks. Multiple-time Sanchez strikeout victims included: Jacoby Ellsbury, Shane Victorino, David Ortiz, Mike Napoli, Daniel Nava, and Stephen Drew. It would have been quicker to jot down who didnt strikeout at least twice versus Sanchez. Interesting Note: The Tigers pitching staff has combined for at least 10 strikeouts in each game of this series. LINEUP CONSIDERATIONS: Its hard to imagine Leyland going away from what worked in Game 4 so expect to see Torii Hunter back in the lead off spot, Miguel Cabrera batting second, Prince Fielder hitting third and Austin Jackson much further down in the order. “I was laying on my couch at home (Tuesday) night watching the Dodgers and the Cardinals, and I kept thinking, because I didnt disagree with anybody saying we needed something,” said Leyland of his lineup tinkering. “I felt like fans, members of the media, myself, probably the players, if the truth be known, I think something had to be done. “I dont want to say this had anything to do with it. Jackson went 2-2 with two walks in the eight-hole in Game 4. Entering the game, hed been 3-33 (.091) with 18 strikeouts in the postseason. Red Sox manager John Farrell is getting next to no production from the left side of his infield. Shortstop Stephen Drew is 3-28 (.107) in the postseason. Third baseman Will Middlebrooks is 4-23 (.174.) On the possibility of replacing Middlebrooks with rookie Xander Bogaerts in Game 5, Farrell offered this: “Havent made a decision on (Thursdays) lineup but given the way the left side of the infield, were struggling a little bit to get production out of that side. So its something thats being considered for sure.” Game 5 Prediction: Im one-for-four picking the correct winner of each game so this has become, effectively, a pointless exercise. To the point, in fact, where I feel I should be apologizing to the team I pick to win. Nonetheless, a commitment was made in Game 1 to make a prediction for each game and Im going to see it through. At the heart of this series is starting pitching and Detroits has been better than Bostons. Sanchez runs up his pitch count striking out the Red Sox and doesnt go beyond seven innings. Lester is equal to the task and this game is decided by the bullpens. So, I pick Boston to win this game 4-3. Walter Payton Jersey . -- A 25-year-old freelance journalist from British Columbia was formally charged on Thursday with a felony, five days after she was arrested in the United States over allegations she threatened to kill her hockey player boyfriend. Tom Waddle Jersey .com) - The Miami Heat will try to close out the Charlotte Bobcats Monday night in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first round series. http://www.bearsrookiestore.com/Bears-Ji...on-Jersey/. Saskatchewans Darian Durant is expected to miss the rest of the Roughriders season with a torn tendon in his right elbow. The 32-year-old, who will undergo surgery in the next couple days to repair the injury, was added to the teams six-game injury list Tuesday. David Montgomery Bears Jersey .A. Happ? Happs seven wins are second on the staff to Mark Buehrles 10. Win-loss record is an antiquated stat, sure, but win total is generally an indication of a pitchers ability to work deep into games, enough to be personally affected by the result. Jim McMahon Youth Jersey .Y. - Phil Varone was the lone scorer in the shootout as the Rochester Americans edged the Toronto Marlies 3-2 on Sunday in American Hockey League action.DELRAY BEACH, Fla. -- Croatias Marin Cilic won the Delray Beach Open on Sunday for his 11th ATP World Tour title and second in three weeks, beating Kevin Anderson 7-6 (6), 6-7 (7), 6-4 in 3 hours, 8 minutes. Cilic leads the tour with 18 match wins this season. He improved to 3-1 against Anderson, the 2012 Delray winner. "These three weeks have been very long for me," said Cilic, the winner in Zagreb and runner-up last week in Rotterdam. "Im going to enjoy it for a while and have a little rest." The match was the first final in tournament history with two sets decided in tiebreakers. Anderson had 12 double faults. "I just didnt put down the clamps to give myself some more chances," Anderson said.dddddddddddd "I was a bit too patchy today, but Im happy making the finals." Top-ranked Bob and Mike Bryan won the doubles final, beating Frantisek Cermak and Mikhail Elgin 6-2, 6-3 for their third Delray Beach title. With Jack Nicklaus watching, the Bryans won their 94th ATP Tour title. "We never thought wed get this high," Mike Bryan said. "Were very happy to kick-start the year here in Delray," Bob Bryan said of about their first title of the season. "Were starting to hit our stride." ' ' '