The Detroit Tigers pitching staff has been nothing short of lights-out throughout the American League Championship Series, but still find themselves in 2-1 series deficit going into Wednesday night's Game 4 of the series against the Boston Red Sox.
Between pitchers Anibal Sanchez - who led the American League in ERA this season, Max Scherzer - who led the league in wins this season, and Justin Verlander - former 2011 Cy Young and Most Valuable Player award winner, the Tigers are sporting a team ERA of 0.86 against Boston, yet the Red Sox have managed to scrounge wins with the few runs they can muster.
"We won a game with four hits," said Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes. "It says a lot about this team."
Doug Fister will take to the mound to attempt to even up the series. Fister allowed three runs in six innings in his last postseason start against the Oakland Athletics in the Tigers' Game 4 of the American League Division Series. Fister held the Red Sox to four hits in seven innings in his last outing at Fenway Park, beating Boston 3-0 on Sept. 2nd.
While Fister did not have the season Sanchez or Scherzer had, nor the pitching pedigree of Verlander, manager Boston manager John Farrell is not underestimating the Tigers Game 4 starter for a minute.
"He might not have the sheer power and velocity the other three guys have in this rotation, but he does it a little differently," said Farrell.
The Red Sox will counter with Jake Peavy, whom Boston acquired through a three-team mid-season trade that sent shortstop Jose Iglesias to the Tigers. Peavy, the 2007 National League Cy Young award winner, gave up one run through 5 2/3 innings in the Game 4 elimination game of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Peavy, who played with the Central Division Chicago White Sox prior to the trade to Boston, feels prepared heading into Wednesday night's game, holding the Tigers to four runs on four hits in seven innings, back July, in the White Sox's 8-4 win over Detroit.
"I do know those guys well," said Peavy, who has had 12 days between postseason starts. "It comes down to (Wednesday) night, executing the game plan that we think we're going to go with and get those guys out. It's a huge challenge with the way they swing the bat."
TV Schedule
You can catch Game 4 of the Boston Red Sox - Detroit Tigers American League Championship Series Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m EST on Fox.
Live Stream (video)
Live stream coverage can be seen on MLB.tv (subscription required).
Live Stream (audio)
Live stream coverage can be heard MLB.com Gameday Audio.
Live Score
Live scores could be followed by clicking here.