Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila expects to be in lineup for Game 6

If you expect to become a professional catcher in the Major Leagues, you should be expected to take some punishment from time to time.

Besides being a pitcher, the catcher position has to be the riskiest position to play. We’ve seen catchers in this league get run over by players like a deer getting slammed into by a semi-truck, which usually resulted in serious injuries such as broken legs or bones in general and concussions.

Just ask San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey. His season was cut short in May of 2011 when he was in a collision with Miami Marlins outfielder Scott Cousins.

Now during last nights game against the Boston Red Sox, Avila suffered a left knee patellar tendon strain after a collision at home plate with Red Sox catcher David Ross.

According to FoxSports.com, Avila said jokingly that he’ll take some ‘strong pain killers on Friday’ as he added that he expects to play tomorrow in game six.

"“I had this injury before 2011. I’ve dealt with it on and off the last three years. I’m familiar with it.” Alex Avila told the media via FoxSports.com"

Avila was also asked about Ross barreling into him at home plate while trying to score and he replied with, “I would have done the same thing.”. The man knows the type of danger he puts himself in when he steps behind that plate, dressed up in his catchers gear.

Detroit looks to avoid elimination as they enter the sixth game of this ALCS against Boston.