Tigers at Red Sox (Game 2)
The Boston Red Sox finally gained some momentum on the road over the weekend, only to have Mother Nature delay the start of their longest homestand of the season. The Red Sox and visiting Detroit Tigers will make up for Monday's postponement when they tangle in a day-night doubleheader Tuesday to begin a four-game set at Fenway Park.
After Boston opened 6-13, the defending World Series champion picked up three straight wins at first-place Tampa Bay, surviving a 4-3 contest in 11 innings in Sunday's series finale. "That was a big three wins," left-hander David Price told reporters Sunday. "We know the type of team we have in this clubhouse, and I think we showed that these last three days." The Tigers were rained out for the second time in the last three days but managed to sandwich a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday for their second win in three tries. They will start Matthew Boyd in the matinee and Spencer Turnbull at night while the hosts go with struggling ace Chris Sale and Hector Velazquez, respectively.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, NESN Plus (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Spencer Turnbull (0-2, 3.43 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Hector Velazquez (0-1, 2.84)
Turnbull remained winless in eight career games (seven starts) despite limiting Pittsburgh to one unearned run in six innings Wednesday. The University of Alabama product has 24 strikeouts in 21 innings this year while holding opponents to a .247 average. Turnbull will be facing the Red Sox for the first time.
Velazquez will be making his third start of the season and his seventh appearance overall. He has allowed two runs in 10 1/3 innings over his last five outings while yielding eight hits - all singles. The 30-year-old has pitched three scoreless innings of relief in his career against Detroit.
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston RHP Nathan Eovaldi reportedly will have surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, a procedure that cost him two months of action last year.
2. Red Sox RF Mookie Betts is 6-for-12 over his last three games after going 3-for-32 in his previous 10.
3. Tigers 2B Josh Harrison was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Sunday's win and is 9-for-74 with 17 strikeouts on the season.