The Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers will try to break a 1-1 deadlock on Tuesday in Game 3 of their action-packed American League Championship Series at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.
The Red Sox dodged a bullet and brought the series back to square one at the same time, thanks to another clutch performance from designated hitter David Ortiz.
With the Sox down 1-5 in the 8th inning, Big Papi came through with a game-tying Grand Slam homer to resurrect his team from what looked to be 0-2 hole in the series. Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia made sure Ortiz's effort would not put to waste as he delivered the game-winning RBI single to stun the Tigers at Fenway Park.
"That's what he does. He's an amazing hitter," said CY Young contender Max Scherzer, who took a no hitter into the 5th inning before Tigers relievers blew his effort. "He's an amazing postseason hitter. He's clutch. Any given moment, a swing of the bat he can always take you deep."
The Red Sox's nail-biting win in Game 2 could serve as the momentum-changer in the pulsating series. However, the task along the way remains daunting as the Tigers look to start Cy Young and MVP winner Justin Verlander in the pivotal Game 3.
"Obviously that was a tough one. At the same time you know this series is going to be a dogfight. Nobody is going to walk over anybody," said Verlander, who allowed only two hits in the Tigers' series-clinching win over the Oakland Athletics in Game 5.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland is also expected to keep his relievers more prepared this time around after learning a very valuable lesson in their last outing.
"I made a mistake that I take full responsibility for," Tigers manager Jim Leyland told ESPN. "I should have just reminded him that we didn't want Ortiz to really beat us. He tried to make a great pitch. He tried to get it low and away out of the strike zone, but he didn't get it there."
After allowing four runs in the Red Sox's 7-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in his last start, John Lackey will have another chance to redeem himself and deliver a victory for his team.
Of course, the big bats are up to light up the score sheets once again. The match-up between the Tigers' slugging trio Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Torii Hunter against the Red Sox's trifecta of Ortiz, Mike Napoli, and Jacoby Ellsburry will surely make the crowd all pumped-up.
Live Streaming & TV Schedule
FOX Sports will start Television Coverage of Game 3: Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers ALCS at 4:00 p.m EST while live stream coverage can be seen on MLB.tv. MLB.com Gameday Audio will provide play-by-play radio coverage of the game. Live scores and game stats can be followed by clicking here
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