Red Sox at Tigers
David Price is undefeated in nine starts since returning from a 2 1/2-week stint on the injured list and familiarity has been a big part of his success. Price has earned three wins during a 5-0 stretch against his former teams and he will go for another against an ex-employer as the Boston Red Sox bid for a three-game sweep at the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
Andrew Benintendi broke an 0-for-12 rut in his return to the lineup with four hits as Boston posted a 10-6 victory to tie Minnesota for the most road wins in the majors with 28. Reigning American League MVP Mookie Betts is 6-for-9 with three RBIs and five runs scored in the series for the Red Sox, who have amassed 27 runs during a three-game winning streak but also surrendered at least six runs for the eighth straight contest. Jeimer Candelario has four homers and seven RBIs over the past five games after going deep twice Saturday for Detroit, which fell to 3-17 over the past 20 contests. Christin Stewart and Harold Castro collected three hits apiece but it wasn't enough to prevent the Tigers from losing for the 11th time in 12 games at Comerica Park.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH David Price (6-2, 3.33 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Gregory Soto (0-2, 8.06)
Price won his second straight start by continuing his dominance of Toronto last time out, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings - marking the sixth time in his last seven outings he has permitted two earned runs or fewer. He has made only one start versus Detroit since joining Boston in 2016, tossing 6 1/3 scoreless innings last July to improve to 6-1 lifetime with a 2.10 ERA against the Tigers. Price has owned Miguel Cabrera, holding him to one single in 17 at-bats.
Soto had been scheduled to start the series finale before tossing a scoreless inning in relief Friday, giving up two hits and throwing 24 pitches. Manager Ron Gardenhire is bringing back the 24-year-old Dominican as the opener for what shapes up as a bullpen game, even though Detroit used four relievers Friday night and five more Saturday night after starter Jordan Zimmermann lasted only 3 1/3 innings. Soto has yet to pitch beyond four innings in six starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers has hit safely in 10 straight and knocked in a dozen runs during a five-game RBI streak.
2. Cabrera is 7-for-18 during a four-game hitting streak.
3. Red Sox INF Michael Chavis is riding an 11-game hitting streak on the road.