vlaze.com

Dice K has been outstanding for the Red Sox this season. The team record behind Matsuzaka in 6 starts this season is a perfect 6-0. The Japanese right-hander star pitched 6 2/3rd's scoreless innings giving up only 4 hits in victory over the Tigers in early April. Heading into their weekend series with Tampa the Red Sox were struggling for runs scoring just 5 runs in their last 5 games. The sad part of this team offensive slump is the fact the Red Sox pitching has been outstanding sporting an ERA of 1.47 in this stretch. Big Papi was slow out of the blocks batting .196 this season. Detroit has recovered after a terrible start of the season to sit at 14-15 and only 1-½ games out of first place. The Tigers swept the Yankees in their mid week series as their bats were hot putting up 20 runs in three games. Jeremy Bonderman put together a good start versus the Yankees limiting NY to just 2 runs and 5 hits through 7 2/3rd's innings. Leyland wanted Bonderman to be more aggressive and go after hitters as Bonderman's problem with bases on balls have come about with nit picking corners. Both pitchers are on right now and under 9 runs is the play here.