With the American League Championship Series (ALCS) tied, the Detroit Tigers have to feel good with the upcoming three games against the Boston Red Sox with Anibal Sanchez, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander set to take the mound.
Thus far in the playoffs, the Tigers' starting pitching has allowed three runs while striking out 42 in 27 innings in the ACLS. Sanchez - the ERA leader in the American League - takes to the mound on Thursday night, with the series tied 2 games a piece after Doug Fister gave up one run in Game 4, striking out seven in six innings of work in the Tigers 7-3 win in Game 4 . Sanchez is coming off a Game 1 where he pitched six innings, no hits, striking out 12 batters, earning the win in Game of the ACLS.
"I think my pitches were moving really good that day," said Sanchez about the no-hitter he flirted with until he was pulled by Tigers manager Jim Leyland due to his 116 pitch count. "They didn't swing and the balls were going down and out (of the strike zone). When I was ahead, it helped me to strike guys out. I think that was the key, getting ahead in the count. That helped me that day. That's what I want to do in this game."
The Red Sox will counter with Jon Lester, who gave up one run off a bloop single by Jhonny Peralta and six hits in his Saturday Game 1 lose to the Tigers. Lester has pitched well through out the playoffs, giving up only two runs and three hits on 7 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series.
Lester will face a rejuvenated Tigers batting lineup that has struggled to provide their pitching staff's stellar performance with run support. Leyland moved Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson out of his lead spot and place him eighth in the order, and moving right fielder Torii Hunter to the lead-off spot in the lineup. Austin entered Game 4 of the ALCS batting .091 and felt that the move in the lineup was huge help in Wednesday's victory.
"I think it just helped me relax," said Jackson. "That was the goal. To get me to relax a little, be patient get a good pitch and let the rest take care of itself."
While the Tigers do not expect Anibal Sanchez to repeat his no-hit bid, they feel real confident with Sanchez on the mound. Despite his Game 2 heroics, Red Sox David Ortiz has struggled against Sanchez, going 0-for-3 in Game 1.
A win on Thursday night puts Max Scherzer - the American League leader in wins - on the mound for Game 6, and if necessary, Justin Verlander - the 2011 Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards - in the position to pitch in a potential elimination game.
"They're a good offense," said Tigers catcher Alex Avila. "We're a good pitching staff too. We hold that record for most strikeouts in a season. At this time of the year, pitching always dominates. Doesn't matter how good your offense is. For the most part pitching will always dominate in the playoffs, for both sides."
TV Schedule
You can catch Game 5 of the Boston Red Sox - Detroit Tigers American League Championship Series Thursday night at 8 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
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