Red Sox at Tigers
The Red Sox' bullpen - a hot topic coming into the season - hopes to redeem itself when Boston visits the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. Austin Jackson was the hero in Thursday’s series opener, driving in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Tigers a 3-2 victory. Jackson finished the game with three hits, including a triple, while Prince Fielder went 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly in his Detroit debut.
With the departure of closer Jonathan Papelbon and a thumb injury to Andrew Bailey, the Red Sox relievers are under the microscope. They failed their first test when they spoiled a solid effort from starter Jon Lester and allowed two runs on four hits in the final three innings. Detroit's bullpen didn't deliver either when Jose Valverde allowed a 2-0 lead to disappear in the ninth.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Josh Beckett (2011: 13-7, 2.89 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Doug Fister (2011: 11-13, 2.83 ERA)
Beckett is trying to overcome a rough end to the 2011 season in which he posted a 5.48 ERA in September. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 2.50 ERA in six career appearance versus Detroit. Beckett was nursing a sore right thumb this spring.
Fister was stellar after being traded to the Tigers last season. After a 3-12 start with Seattle, the right-hander went 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA in Detroit. He is 1-2 with a 3.33 ERA in four career appearances versus Boston.
WALK-OFFS
1. The bottom third of Boston’s order (Cody Ross, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Mike Aviles) went 0-for-10 in Thursday’s series opener.
2. Valverde, who blew the save Thursday, watched his streak of 51 straight successful save opportunities end. He was 49-for-49 in save situations last season.
3. Detroit ace and reigning American League Cy Young and MVP winner Justin Verlander is winless in five career opening-day starts.